Plus, the UNDP and CIIP launch SDG Venture Scaler targeting climate action, education and healthcare sectors | EIB and Deutsche Leasing support small businesses in green transformation
The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company, has expanded its remit and will invest in South and Southeast Asia. The fund, which is managed by Ninety One, has been renamed the Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF).
The new name reflects EAAIF’s ambition to invest over $1bn (€923.9m) in emerging Asian and African economies over the next four years, according to the fund. EAAIF has committed over $2.5bn and mobilised more than $16bn in private sector commitments to African infrastructure over the last 21 years.
In Asia, emerging markets have seen an acceleration of economic growth over the past two decades, with the Asian Development Bank estimating that the region requires approximately $1.7trn annual infrastructure investment until 2030.
“We are delighted to formally expand the fund’s mandate. The integrated approach will enable EAAIF to benefit from PIDG’s expertise across the two regions and deliver impact at scale,” said Philippe Valahu, CEO of PIDG.
UNDP and CIIP launch SDG Venture Scaler to boost SDG-aligned investment in Southeast Asia
The United Nationals Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a new programme to mobilise private investment for sustainable development in Southeast Asia, in partnership with the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP). The SDG Venture Scaler, which will run through all of next year, will focus on supporting growth-stage businesses in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
It will select 30 ventures, particularly those focused on climate action, education and healthcare, and provide them with tailored business advisory services, investment matchmaking opportunities, and impact measurement and management training.
“The private sector plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs. The SDG Venture Scaler offers a great opportunity for local businesses, especially in impact startups in Vietnam, to grow their impact and help achieve the SDGs. By connecting promising companies with investors and offering tailored support, this program will boost our efforts in important areas like climate action, education and healthcare. We are proud to support ventures that promote sustainable development in our region,” said Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Vietnam Resident Representative.
EIB and Deutsche Leasing offer new leases to small businesses
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Deutsche Leasing have announced a second tranche of leases on favourable terms to help support small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and mid-caps in Germany and countries in Eastern Europe.
The project costs €560m, with a total of €200m of EIB financing approved. A first tranche of €50m of the €200m was signed in February. Under the cooperation programme, Deutsche Leasing will finance machinery and technologies that lead to energy savings, low-carbon mobility and other environmental solutions to support the green transformation of SMEs and midcaps.
Beneficiaries will be able to use the funds for long term investment projects. This second tranche of capital is focused on climate investment. It is estimated that at least 30% of the EIB funds will be used to support climate and the environment.
