NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Village Capital Makes First Africa Ecosystem Fund Investments in Ghana

The initiative was created to support startups building solutions around economic mobility and climate resilience in Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

Source

Empower Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, Social Enterprise

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

business development, climate change, digital inclusion, impact investing, startups

Namibia-Based Firm to Back Early-Stage Southern African Startups With $10 Million Fund

The fund will focus on sectors including fintech, agritech, healthtech, education, clean energy, e-commerce, and enterprise software.

Source

TechCabal (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

agtech, business development, e-commerce, fintech, healthcare technology, renewable energy, startups, venture capital

Bestseller Supports Regenerative Agriculture in South Africa Through International Fund

The Regenerative Fund for Nature supports projects that are based on local knowledge and existing practices. It was established by Conservation International and Kering in 2021 with Inditex joining in 2023. BESTSELLER is now joining the fund as a partner.

Source

Bestseller (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

impact investing, NGOs, partnerships, smallholder farmers, supply chains, sustainable business

dLocal and inDrive Launch Cashless Rides in South Africa

The partnership also aims to reduce driver exposure to fraud by lowering dependence on cash, though cash remains available for passengers who prefer it.

Source

Fintech Global (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Technology, Transportation

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

digital payments, gig economy, partnerships

IFC Discloses Proposed $25 Million Investment in Admaius’ Virunga Africa Fund II

The fund is targeting $500 million to invest in mid- to large-cap African companies.

Source

Africa Private Equity News (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

business development, development finance, Digital Public Infrastructure, global development, impact investing, infrastructure

Europe’s Textile Future at a Turning Point: New 2030 Circularity Blueprint Aims to Scale Recycling and Unlock Investment Opportunities

This ambitious initiative is designed to support the transformation of the EU textile ecosystem to advance textile-to-textile recycling and drive the transition to a circular economy.

Source

Global Fashion Agenda (link opens in a new window)

Categories

WASH

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

circular economy, global development, impact investing, partnerships, waste

Analysis: Powering Peace: Can Renewable Energy Help End Africa’s Conflicts?

Conflict is now at its highest level since World War II, driven by the breakdown of the international rules-based system, climate degradation, inequality, and demographic pressure—forces that are particularly acute across sub-Saharan Africa.

Source

NewSecurityBeat (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

energy access, global development, human rights, off-grid energy, renewable energy, rural development, solar

Press Release: Early Climate Health Investments Generate 68-Fold Gains in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The study finds that every $1 invested by low- and middle-income countries in these services can yield $4 to $68 in economic benefits, depending on local conditions and implementation.

Source

World Resource Institute (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Environment, Health Care

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

climate change, climate health, global development, infectious diseases, NGOs, public health, research