Making a Difference—How Private Enterprise is Creating Opportunity and Improving Lives in Developing Countries

This is a snapshot of IFC projects, which shows clearly how the private sector is making a tangible difference in the lives of people in developing countries. The companies whose projects are highlighted—just a few among IFC’s many excellent clients—are leading in areas such as environmental, social, and corporate governance performance, as well as being commercially successful. Their results are all the more impressivefor the challenging locations and circumstances in which these businesses often operate.



Full Document

Cover & Contents

Acronyms, Foreword & Introduction


STORIES

Frontier Markets

• ACLEDA BANK (CAMBODIA): A provider of financial services for the poorest in a frontier, postconflict country
• MTN VILLAGEPHONE UGANDA (UGANDA): A creative program that builds infrastructure and entrepreneurship in village communities
• MOZAMBIQUE ALUMINUM S.A.R.L. (MOZAL) (MOZAMBIQUE): A successful large-scale industrial project with strong community partnership in a frontier country
• PAMIR ENERGY COMPANY (TAJIKISTAN): A public-private partnership bringing essential electric power to a poor mountainous region

• BANCO COMPARTAMOS, S.A., INSTITUCION DE BANCA MULTIPLE (MEXICO): A microfinance company enjoying rapid growth by meeting the microlending needs of small businesses run by women in rural areas
• BANCA COMERCIALA ROMANA S.A. (ROMANIA): A bank showing how a financial institution can transform corporate governance and social and environmental risk management into competitive advantage
• HIPOTECARIA SU CASITA, S.A. DE C.V.-SOFOL (MEXICO): A housing finance company that uses innovative financing techniques to broaden home ownership among the low- and middle-income population
• ENTERPRISE LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY LTD. (ELAC) (GHANA): An insurance company using innovative products to revitalize a declining life insurance sector

• ACEITERA GENERAL DEHEZA S.A (ARGENTINA).: Growing its business despite a severe economic crisis, AGD shows the difference one company can make
• CAMPINA OOO (RUSSIA): A dairy cooperative building long-term partnerships with suppliers to improve quality and output and to reshape the market
• CONSTRUTORA NORBERTO ODEBRECHT (ANGOLA): A program using extensive private-public partnerships to extend HIV/AIDS prevention and care throughout the country
• TIGAR RUBBER PRODUCTS COMPANY (SERBIA): A restructuring success story focusing on entrepreneurship,
• employee welfare, and environmental responsibility
• ARÇELIK, A.S. (TURKEY): An electronic appliance company with SME linkages and south-south investment, building market share through commitment to high-quality and environmentally friendly products
• MAGADI SODA COMPANY LTD. (KENYA): Africa’s largest soda ash producer, making partnership with the surrounding community part of its success and expansion

• MANILA WATER COMPANY, INC. (THE PHILIPPINES): A private water and wastewater company achieving financial success and dramatically improving the quality and availability of water to the poor
• PROMIGAS S.A. E.S.P. (COLOMBIA): A locally controlled gas-transmission company focusing on sustainable processes that improve living conditions
• GRAMEEN SHAKTI (BANGLADESH): A nonprofit solar-energy company extending power to rural areas and improving productivity and the quality of life
• SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION (KENYA): An innovative franchise model to improve the delivery of health care in rural areas

• ALEXANDRIA CARBON BLACK COMPANY S.A.E. (EGYPT): A carbon black production facility among industry
• leaders in environmental management
• MINERA ESCONDIDA LIMITADA (CHILE): A large-scale copper mine committed to environmental sustainability, employees, and the surrounding community
• BALRAMPUR CHINI MILLS LTD. (INDIA): A sugar producer enhancing output and growth through renewable energy and farmer outreach
• SEKEM HOLDINGS (EGYPT): A market leader in organic produce, committed to strong relationships with farmers, employees, and the community