-
In Impact Investing’s Rush to the Mainstream, Who Are We Leaving Behind?
After a long march toward mainstream acceptance, many in impact investing are claiming victory. But a new report by Oxfam and Sumerian Partners argues that the sector should focus on the needs of the businesses working to reduce poverty rather than on the investors who stand to benefit from their work. In other words, it's time to stop pretending that investors seeking a pure market return can tackle the most complex global challenges in high-risk markets.
- Categories
- Investing
-
An Impact Investor Urges Caution on the ‘Energy Access Hype Cycle’
Ceniarth, an impact investor, has been actively engaged in the energy access sector since 2014. But now it's reducing its exposure to the venture-backed, solar home system segment of this market while shifting its strategy toward enterprises – for-profit, nonprofit and hybrid – that are finding the most capital-efficient ways to reach rural customers. Here, three principals in the firm candidly explain why they are reassessing their approach.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing
-
Investment where profit means better schools
The British Asian Trust is planning to raise $10m (£7.5m) for an "education development impact bond" in which investments are linked to specific targets in improving education for disadvantaged communities in India.
- Region
- South Asia
-
New Products, New Markets – New Risks? Microfinance Shifts its Gaze to Housing
$2.3 trillion: That's what low-income households are predicted to spend on urban housing by 2025. So it's no surprise that many microfinance providers view housing lending as their next big opportunity for both profit and social impact. But this new focus brings plenty of challenges – and more than a few risks. We explore the implications of this development – a key topic of discussion at the recent European Microfinance Week.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
-
Asian Development Bank Bolsters Microfinance Program with $100 Million in Additional Financing
“Giving small businesses and entrepreneurs access to finance is one proven tool to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty,” said Sabine Spohn, Senior Investment Specialist in ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Allianz invests $100M in micro-insurer BIMA
Allianz has invested $96.6 million in micro-insurer BIMA, which sells insurance by mobile phone in Africa, Asia and Latin America, Germany’s largest insurer said on Tuesday.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- insurance
-
OPIC Announces $3.8 Billion in New Commitments in Fiscal Year 2017
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) today announced it committed $3.8 billion in financing and insurance across 111 new projects in fiscal year 2017 to support economic development in emerging markets.
- Categories
- Investing
-
Impact investing: A $250 billion game-changer for finance
Making money is the lifeblood of Wall Street. Making the world a better place not so much. Now that's starting to change, as some of the biggest names in finance adjust their businesses to reflect growing demand for impact investments.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- impact investing
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.