All Publications

May 26, 2021

Women and e-commerce in Africa

Across the globe, e-commerce is thriving. In Africa, the number of online shoppers has increased by an average of 18 percent every year since 2014, with similar growth anticipated over the next decade. IFC’s latest report shows that this growth could be even higher if we invest in the women entrepreneurs on e-commerce platforms.

Apr 29, 2021

Market Assessment: The Student Housing Landscape in South Africa

Education is key to building human capital. Expanding access to quality tertiary education and vocational education and training institutions can help reduce income inequality and promote social mobility through greater access to skills, training and jobs. One of the challenges that South Africa's formal tertiary education system faces is a shortage of high-quality, affordable student housing units.

Apr 12, 2021

Case Study: Nyaho

For 51 years, Nyaho, Ghana’s oldest medical practice, has balanced the twin goals of supporting public health and managing a viable business. In 2020, its capabilities were put to the test by the Covid-19 pandemic. Nyaho Medical Center became an active participant in the country’s response.

English | 12 pages | IFC 2021

Jan 19, 2021

Case Study: Pyramid Group

In this oral history-based case study, four executives at Pyramid Group and one of their hospitalbased customers discuss how the company developed its business and what underlies its successes. There is a great deal to learn from their experience. They have designed a streamlined supply chain for healthcare products. Moreover, they have created a strategic regimen for sales, installation, and support for complex medical equipment such as CT-scan and MRI machines, X-ray devices, and critical care equipment.

Jan 15, 2021

Mobilization of Private Finance by Multilateral Development Banks and Development Finance Institutions 2019

The 2019 Joint Report shows mobilization of $63.6 billion for middle- & lower-income countries, with $6.7 billion for LIC only, up 21% from 2018. Total mobilization of $175 billion is up 9%.

English | 60 pages | 2021 IFC

Dec 16, 2020

Navigating through COVID-19: Country snapshots on how the pandemic affected MSMEs in the Middle East and Africa

These country snapshots look at the state of business operations in countries across the Middle East and Africa and how businesses are navigating the challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The notes look at three main areas: The financial health and resilience of the MSME sector in the country, the crisis response and future plans of businesses, and MSME support needed from governments and financial institutions.

Dec 8, 2020

Sustainable Finance Practices in South African Retirement Funds

A look at opportunities to unlock investment in green & climate finance & support a resilient economy

English | 66 pages | 2020 IFC

Oct 27, 2020

Creating Markets in Guinea: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

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

English | 98 pages | 2020 IFC

Oct 15, 2020

Kenya Seed Potato Industry Diagnostic Priority Investments and Policy Actions to Create a Step-Change in Seed Potato Availability in Kenya

Kenya has a vibrant potato industry whose growth is constrained by lack of quality seed potato. Imports of seed potato are necessary to complement local production and to meet demand for processing varieties. This industry diagnostic analyzes Kenya’s seed potato value chain; recommending priority investments and policy actions to bridge the annual seed availability gap of 300,000 tons.

Oct 14, 2020

COVID-19 Rapid Assessment: Impact on the Nigerian Private Sector and Perspectives on Accelerating the Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching and devastating impact on Nigeria’s economy. This rapid assessment of the COVID-19 impact on the private sector in Nigeria is a supplement to the Nigeria Country Private Sector Diagnostic, which assesses opportunities for and constraints to private sector-led growth.

Oct 13, 2020

Creating Markets in Nigeria: Country Private Sector Diagnostics

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

English | 115 pages | 2020 IFC

Oct 7, 2020

Creating Markets in Côte d'Ivoire: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Cote d’Ivoire Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) provides IFC & World Bank analysis of growth & investment opportunities, constraints, & policy recommendations.

English - 108 pages | French - 119 pages | 2020 IFC

Oct 6, 2020

How the COVID-19 crisis is impacting African pension fund approaches to portfolio management

This note assesses the short-to-medium term impact of the COVID crisis on emerging African pension fund sectors’ portfolio management approaches and related challenges and opportunities that the crisis has brought to light.

English | 15 pages | 2020 IFC

Oct 6, 2020

Practical Guide for Improving Resource Efficiency in Red Meat Abattoirs in South Africa

Water scarcity, greater water demand and changes in water supply due to climate change are severely affecting large parts of Southern Africa, including South Africa, posing a significant risk to the region. South Africa’s red meat abattoir industry is a key driver of economic growth, as it contributes to value addition, job creation and exports.

Oct 6, 2020

Benchmarking Study: Resource Efficiency in Red Meat Abattoirs in South Africa

The “Benchmarking Study: Resource Efficiency in Red Meat Abattoirs in South Africa” provides an in-depth resource efficiency analysis of the beef, pork, sheep and goat meat agri-processing sub-sectors in South Africa.

Sep 9, 2020

COVID-19 Economic Impact: Sub-Saharan Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to trigger a severe economic contraction in Sub-Saharan Africa. IFC is working with existing clients in the region to evaluate where our support is needed most.

English | 2 pages | 2020 IFC

Aug 27, 2020

Creating Markets in Senegal: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

Addressing the constraints for greater private sector development will stimulate good jobs, growth and post COVID-19 recovery in Senegal. To do so, this CPSD identifies economywide policies and key interventions in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Education, Tourism and Housing.

English | 102 pages | 2020 IFC

Jul 17, 2020

GB-TAP - ESG Webinar Series: Can Sustainable Finance Help Avoid an Emerging Market Debt Crisis?

English | 92 pages | 2018 IFC International Finance Corporation 2018

Jun 24, 2020

Regulatory and Tariff Review for Distributed Generation in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors in Southern Africa

This report reviews the regulatory and tariff frameworks for small-scale distributed power generation in six southern African countries to support private investment in clean energy generation, transmission and distribution.

Jun 11, 2020

Sixth Annual Fintech CEO Summit

English | 92 pages | 2018 IFC International Finance Corporation 2018

Feb 13, 2020

The MSME Voice: Growing South Africa’s Small Business Sector

This report compiles insight from in-depth interviews with small businesses across South Africa highlighting trends from access to finance and business infrastructure to use of cash and banking services, with the goal to inform the design of regulation, creation of tools and provision of financial services that will meet the needs of South Africa’s small businesses.

Feb 5, 2020

Ashesi University

Ashesi University was established to develop entrepreneurial and ethical leaders with the skills to tackle Africa’s pressing challenges and the integrity to shun corruption. Since opening in 2002, Ashesi has taken on a leadership role to promote quality tertiary education and to encourage more centers of excellence in Africa.

Jan 29, 2020

Her Home - Housing Finance for Women

Women make up half the world's population, and half of its economic potential. Yet they are far less likely than men to own a home. That's because women work in informal jobs, are unfamiliar with formal loan-application procedures, or are stifled by traditional cultural norms. This new study sheds light on the women's market for housing finance in Colombia, India and Kenya.

English | 68 pages | 2020 | IFC International Finance Corporation 2020

Jan 13, 2020

South African Agri-Processing Resource Efficiency: Opportunities, Challenges and Outlook

IFC, in partnership with SECO and Agbiz, conducted a study on the opportunities, challenges and outlook of resource efficiency in South Africa’s agri-processing sector. The study identified the potential to save up to 30 million cubic meters of water per year, equivalent to 20 percent of the sector’s total water consumption, which will require an investment of $400 million. The study provides in-depth analysis on nine key sub-sectors and the policy framework on water use in agri-processing in South Africa.

English | 72 pages | 2020 IFC

Oct 17, 2019

Creating Markets in South Africa: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

Addressing the constraints for private sector development at national and sectoral levels is a critical element of the Government of South Africa’s plan to scale-up investment over the next five years, and thereby stimulate job creation and promote inclusive growth. The South Africa CPSD contributes to this effort by identifying policy actions and interventions in key sectors of the economy where short-to-medium term reforms could unlock investment and jobs.

English | 146 pages | 2019 IFC