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Dec 1, 2021

Gender-smart Business Solutions: Serena Hotels

Serena Hotels Takes Leadership Role in Tackling Barriers to Women’s Employment in Pakistan

English | 8 pages | IFC 2021

Nov 30, 2021

Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Central America

In collaboration with the Regional Center for the Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CENPROMYPE), IFC conducted a study that evaluated the digital ecosystem within Central America.

Nov 30, 2021

IFC Market Bite Uganda: Challenges and Opportunities for MSME Finance in the Time of COVID-19

Uganda has a vibrant entrepreneurial business community with over one million micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises cutting across almost all sectors of the economy. Financial institutions in Uganda are becoming more interested in expanding their support to this critical sector. To assess the actual MSME market opportunity for formal financial services in Uganda, IFC conducted a comprehensive survey of 833 MSMEs across parts of Uganda in April 2021. Based on the survey results, there is an estimated demand for credit by MSMEs of approximately 31.4 trillion Ugandan shillings ($8.8 billion). This report presents the full results of the IFC MSME survey in Uganda, offering key insights for financial services providers to unlock the MSME market potential in Uganda.

Nov 18, 2021

Municipal Broadband Networks—Opportunities, Business Models, Challenges, and Case Studies

The accelerated use of digital services during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of high-speed Internet access. Yet a large share of adults in emerging markets still live in cities where the availability of high-speed Internet is limited. There is a strong case to be made for municipal broadband networks, which are fully or partially facilitated, built, operated, or financed by local governments, often in partnership with the private sector. There are three basic models for creating and operating these networks, and every network must work in the unique context of the city it will serve. But if they are well implemented, these models can offer digital access to city residents, help close the digital divide, and create opportunities for private sector players in both advanced and emerging markets.

English | 8 Pages—November—Note 107 | IFC 2021

Nov 17, 2021

Markham/Ramu Agricultural Growth Corridor: A Possible Path of Transformational Agricultural Development

The most effective way to improve the lives of millions in poverty is by supporting agriculture in emerging countries.  

Nov 17, 2021

Case Study: UPC

In its quarter century history, the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, or UPC) has shown that when institutions of higher education follow a path of continuous improvement and innovation, they can sustain their own growth and help support economic prosperity around them.

Nov 16, 2021

Strengthening Sustainability in the Cement Industry

Concrete literally holds the modern world together. The material and its binding agent cement comprise a key ingredient in the buildings and roads essential for development and in infrastructure critical to sustainable growth. The cement industry also generates about 7 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. While manufacturers have reduced emissions in recent decades, the industry must accelerate these efforts considerably if it is to meet its goal of achieving carbon-neutral concrete by 2050.

English | 15 pages | IFC 2021

Nov 16, 2021

Sustainable Bonds: Bridging the Gap for Gender Equality

Nov 16, 2021

Creating Markets in Jordan: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Jordan Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC & World Bank analysis of growth and investment opportunities, constraints, & policy recommendations.

English | Vol.1 Main Report - 95 pages | Vol. 2 Sector Assessments - 94 pages | 2021 IFC

Nov 9, 2021

Co-Investment Options in Infrastructure: A Guide for Institutional Investors

Pacific nations face many challenges in the delivery of essential infrastructure in sectors such as sustainable energy, health, transport, logistics and telecommunications. It’s estimated that from 2016 through to 2030, US$46 billion in investment is needed to overcome the region’s infrastructure deficit.

Nov 4, 2021

Innovation in Manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment: Toward Sustainability and Circularity

Innovation in manufacturing personal protective equipment

English | 68 pages | IFC 2021

Nov 3, 2021

Solomon Islands Tourism Industry Guides for Investors and Government

Solomon Islands has taken a key step in advancing its tourism industry with the launch of a series of guides for investors and the government, to ensure this vital sector remains a long-term driver of job creation, sustainable economic growth and benefits for many people.

Oct 29, 2021

Accelerating Sustainable Finance Together: Global Progress Report of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network

The third SBFN Global Progress Report captures the significant increase in collective efforts across all parts of the financial sector, and between regulators and industry, to develop shared enabling frameworks for sustainable finance.

116 pages | © October 2021 IFC | Complimentary

Oct 28, 2021

Financing Deep Tech

Deep tech companies—those built on advances in biotechnology, robotics, electronics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies—aim to solve complex social and environmental challenges. Today the majority of deep tech companies are being launched in developed countries, yet the solutions they can provide are applicable globally. Many of these solutions are especially critical to emerging markets, as the intractable challenges of climate, health, and connectivity, among other issues, disproportionately affect these nations. Addressing these challenges is a strategic priority for development finance institutions and governments worldwide, so financing deep tech companies and boosting deep tech ecosystems in order to deliver new solutions globally is a pressing matter. Doing so, however, requires substantial capital and carries a higher degree of risk than ordinary venture investments. This note examines the process of financing a deep tech company, including the benefits an

English | 8 Pages—October—Special Note 1 | IFC 2021

Oct 28, 2021

Powering the Pacific

IFC commissioned Economic Consulting Associates to prepare a detailed guide to investing in renewable electricity generation in the Pacific. The aim of this report is to promote the development of bankable renewable energy (RE) projects in the Pacific Island countries (PICs) and Papua New Guinea (PNG). It provides a high-level overview of the Pacific region’s RE potential and comprehensive guidelines for investing in the four most populous countries: PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Oct 25, 2021

Building Resilience Through Digital Financial Services

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the important role digital financial services (DFS) can play in reducing disruptions to supply chains, maintaining economic activity, supporting social transfers and ensuring safe transactions while maintaining social distancing. In these challenging times, IFC’s DFS advisory has worked with clients to build resilience and capacity through the Covid-19 crisis while designing, building and developing innovative business models for financial inclusion. This DFS market research series endeavors to share the insights gathered through this work.

Oct 20, 2021

2020年度CAO年次報告書（日本語版）

IFC及びMIGAのプロジェクトに関する説明責任を担うコンプライアンス・アドバイザー・オンブズマン室（CAO）の2020年度版年次報告書日本語版です。2020年度におけるCAOの活動や成果の詳細をご覧いただけます。

Oct 19, 2021

The Emergence of New Data Ecosystems in Financial Services

This paper provides insights into recent business practices in Southeast Asia and market participants’ views on policy and regulation issues. The research is based on a survey of data issuers, intermediaries, and users (primarily lenders). It focuses on understanding the role of new and alternative data and data providers in making decisions about credit. Some of these new forms of data—including social media data, cell phone data, and data generated from business processes, transactional data, online activity, and others—are being harnessed to support credit-granting decisions. Naturally, a greater number of players now collect, store, handle, and disseminate data relevant for credit-granting purposes, an area that was previously the purview of credit bureaus and credit registries.

Oct 18, 2021

Case Study: Neolpharma

In the pharmaceutical industry around the world, a noteworthy kind of company is stepping onto the global stage. These are energetic, innovative family businesses launched in emerging economies. They often begin as manufacturers of low-cost medications and build their capabilities until they can expand beyond their home countries. One such company, well known in Mexico, is Grupo Neolpharma. It began as a maker of low-cost, generic medications for central nervous system (CNS) ailments, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, migraines, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Its primary customer at first was Mexico’s public health system, which gave it a solid revenue stream. Then it branched out into different forms of manufacturing, including the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used by other pharmaceutical companies. Now it is competing through process and product innovation and geographic expansion.

Oct 18, 2021

Guidelines for Blue Finance | Draft for Consultations

Following IFC’s institutional knowledge and experience in supporting the global Green Bond market development and the key role played in the development of the Green Bond Principles, IFC has built on the Green Bond Principles, the Green Loan Principles, and related resources, including the ICMA Handbook for Impact Reporting, to provide guidance on the implementation of Blue Finance. IFC’s Blue Finance Guidance document aims to provide a list of eligible use of proceeds to support private investments aligned with the Green Bond Principles and Green Loan Principles and contributing to Goals 6 and 14 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which call for sustainable water for all and the sustainable development of marine resources. The document further identifies eligible blue project categories that would provide guidance on IFC’s investments to build the blue economy and encourage best practices that can enable the growth of Blue Finance globally.

Oct 14, 2021

Creating Housing Markets in Emerging Market Economies

At the beginning of the 20th century less than 15 percent of people across the globe lived in cities. This figure has risen to 50 percent (4.4 billion people) today and will exceed 66 percent (7.7 billion) by 2050.1 There is a significant shortfall of housing to meet the needs of people moving to cities, most of whom have limited resources but strong hopes for better educational and employment opportunities. Direct public provision of housing is not affordable for most national governments, so more than 1.6 billion people will struggle to secure housing by 2025. Addressing this under-provision of housing will require connecting capital with low-income urbanizing populations, including solutions to make the private sector more responsive to the investment opportunities that urbanization presents.

English | 8 pages — October — Note 106 | IFC 2021

Oct 8, 2021

Creating Markets in Haiti: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Haiti Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC & World Bank analysis of growth and investment opportunities, constraints, & policy recommendations.

English | 137 pages | 2021 IFC

Oct 8, 2021

Gender-smart Business Solutions: Maxport, Vietnam

Vietnam’s Maxport Seeks to Grow by Boosting Opportunities for Women Workers

English | 8 pages | IFC 2021

Oct 8, 2021

Gender-smart Business Solutions: Bauducco, Brazil

Bauducco’s Commitment to Gender Equality: A Strategic Approach to Increase their Customer Value

English | 8 pages | IFC 2021

Oct 1, 2021

Women Technopreneurs: The Landscape for Women Technology Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

IFC and SLASSCOM report on the landscape for women technology entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka