Social impact

The water infrastructure funding gap is the largest of any infrastructure sector in Africa. We sit down with Metito’s Rami Ghandour and BII’s Chris Chijiutomi to discuss their Africa Water Infrastructure Development (AWID) initiative.

A survey by Apha Real Capital shows increased interest from local authority pension funds in social infrastructure investments, ranging from education, health and social housing.

The foundation has recently added two funds to its impact investing portfolio, targeting women and children’s health and new medical technology.

FaithInvest says implementing tailored strategies is too demanding for under-resourced, small faith groups. Outsourcing and joining forces with peers are seen as potential solutions.

Investors commit €36m to back businesses providing affordable, safe drinking water to underserved populations mainly in Africa and Asia.

We meet with Catherine Webster, the newly appointed CEO of Places for People’s subsidiary PFP Capital, and discuss their approach to driving social housing forward.

Founded by a former prisoner, UK-based social enterprise New Leaf provides intensive resettlement support to serving and ex-prisoners, helping them to find employment.

The fund, which has backing from the UK government, will support local capital providers investing in SMEs whose activities help meet UN sustainable development goals.

The fund focuses on businesses committed to accelerating the transition to a sustainable, inclusive society. It requires portfolio companies to report on their impact, with the assistance of Amsterdam-based Impact Institute.

The capital will go to social enterprises providing support to those struggling with the cost of living crisis and back energy saving solutions. Local communities will have larger say over spending priorities via new community wealth funds.