LONDON, 15 October 2020: The Financial Times and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have announced the winners of the 2020 FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards, a global programme that highlights ground-breaking, long-term private sector solutions to major development issues.
This year’s programme marks 15 years of collaboration between the FT and IFC on awards that have had a substantial impact on the way financial and non-financial organisations approach sustainable investment.
The awards’ core five categories directly relate to global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2020 awards also included a special category on harnessing the power of innovation and technology to ensure inclusion among the most marginalised and vulnerable groups, including refugees from conflict and persecution, and those who are excluded due to gender, age, location, caste, religion or sexual identity. A total of 179 entries were received from 167 organisations on solutions impacting all regions of the world.
The awards were presented during a global virtual event on October 8 which also featured a number of thought leaders in sustainability, impact investing and technology. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, was among the keynote speakers.
The winners and highly commended are:
Transformational Solutions in Urban Infrastructure
Winner: Jibu franchised drinking water treatment
Special Commendee: TymeBank digital banking for the underserved and unbanked
Transformational Solutions in Food, Water and Land
Winner: Ecometrica’s Forests 2020 satellite-based forest monitoring system
Special Commendee: Geobotanics cloud-free satellite and AI-based crop risk management solution
Transformational Solutions in Health, Wellness and Disease Prevention
Winner: Simprints biometric ID technology for impact verification
Special Commendee: Flare emergency response vehicle dispatch system
Transformational Solutions in Education, Knowledge and Skills
Winner: Vodafone Foundation Instant Network Schools for refugees
Special Commendee: Muse by SABAQ K5 digital learning system
Special Award: Innovating for the Most Vulnerable and Disadvantaged
Winner: IKEA Foundation livelihood development programme for Somali refugees
Special Commendee: Integreat information platform for refugees and migrants
Overall Award: Excellence in Disruptive Technologies
Winner: Simprints biometric ID technology for impact verification
Overall Award: Excellence in Climate Solutions
Winner: Ecometrica’s Forests 2020 satellite-based forest monitoring system
Overall Award: Excellence in Transformational Finance
Winner: Integreat information platform for refugees and migrants
Overall Award: Excellence in Transformational Business
Winner: IKEA Foundation livelihood development programme for Somali refugees
“ It was a relief to see the pandemic failed to dent the purpose of these awards, to showcase and encourage ventures that are not merely financial successes but are helping to fix some of the world's most intractable problems ,” said Pilita Clark, Associate Editor and Business Columnist of the Financial Times and co-chair of the awards judging panel.
Karin Finkelston, Vice President, Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a nd co-chair of the Awards judging panel, said she was inspired by the award-winning projects.
“During these extremely challenging times, we’re seeing the private sector providing solutions that will help countries build back in ways that create sustainable growth, jobs, and opportunities,” Finkelston said. “The finalists and past winners of the FT/IFC Awards are a great example of the innovation and entrepreneurship the world especially needs today.”
The awards judging panel consisted of:
● Pilita Clark, Associate Editor and Business Columnist, Financial Times (co-chair)
● Karin Finkelston, Vice President, Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach International Finance Corporation (IFC) (co-chair)
● Samir Abhyankar, Investment Director, Equity, CDC Group
● Kalipso Chalkidou, Director of Global Health Policy and Senior Fellow, Centre for Global Development
● Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group
● Chris Locke, Founder, Caribou Digital
● Miguel Martins, Founder, reNEW
● Kanini Mutooni, Managing Director, Draper Richards Kaplan
● Henrik Skovby, Chairman, Dalberg Group
PwC was technical advisor to the programme.
For more details on the FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards, please visit https://transformationalbusiness.live.ft.com where you can watch a replay of the event.
About the Financial Times
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of more than one million, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.
About IFC
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries . In fiscal year 2020, we invested $22 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org .
Stay Connected
Contacts
At IFC: Nadya Nikiforova nnikiforova@ifc.org At FT: Kristina Eriksson Kristina.eriksson@ft.com
Stay Informed
Sign up to have customizable news & updates sent to you.