Development finance

The €400m impact fund backed by the Dutch government is developing its strategy in support of missing-middle SMEs, based on experience of its first decade of operations, and on discussions with stakeholders.

The fund, which is Africa’s first structured debt vehicle focused on energy efficiency solutions, invests into early-stage businesses that are working on boosting climate resilience on the continent.

The facility seeks to improve trade liquidity within Africa, especially for women and youth-run businesses, building on Absa’s extensive network of financial services operations across the continent. 

The loans to boost financial inclusion and the hydropower sector represent the first direct investments in the Himalayan country by the two Nordic development finance institutions.

The Transform Health Fund aims to provide a template for blended finance in Africa’s healthcare sector. Following the fund’s close, we talk about progress so far with Martin Edlund of the Health Finance Coalition, one of the fund’s founding organisations. 

The Business Investment Financing Track has been set up to accelerate financial support for smallholder farmers and MSMEs in the agri-food sector, and improve food security and agricultural development in low-income countries.

Paris Agreement goals are unachievable unless more capital is mobilised to support the transition to a more sustainable economy in developing countries. Yet, emerging markets are often overlooked by institutional investors, according to a report by Pensions for Purpose.

The Pact’s sets out to enhance multilateral cooperation in order to boost the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and to better respond to current and future global challenges.

The tie-up aims to address a $74bn finance gap for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa as well as provide specialist support to develop commercially viable business practices.

Accion and Nuveen are among backers for FlexiLoans, which is helping to support millions of India’s small businesses currently excluded from the mainstream financial system.