The EIF is a multi-donor trust fund, which provides financial and technical support to build trade capacity in 48 LDCs and 3 graduated countries. The EIF is the only global Aid for Trade programme exclusively designed for the LDCs and is therefore uniquely placed to assist countries to develop sustainable trade strategies, which have a positive impact on people's lives through the promotion of private sector development and employment opportunities.

The LDCs face high trade costs owing to many obstacles to their ability to trade, including poor infrastructure, limited private sector capability and poor business climate. To overcome these obstacles and help them reach their trade potential, the EIF provides LDCs with customized support to help identify, prioritize and address their needs. The EIF also provides a basis for development partners to deliver coordinated support to a country's trade and economic growth agenda.