All Publications

Dec 7, 2021

Consumer and Market Study in Southwest and West Nile Refugee-Hosting Areas in Uganda

This Consumer and Market Study explores economic activities, employment trends, consumption levels, access to finance, and consumer preferences of refugees and host communities in Uganda’s largest refugee-hosting areas in the Southwest and West Nile regions. The aim of this study is to understand the potential market of the eight reviewed districts and identify possible entry points for the private sector. Among the key findings, the study identified a large consumer market, worth about $485 million measured as annual consumption expenditure, and the potential to develop agribusiness value chains, formalize access to finance and engage private companies in the provision of solar products.

Dec 6, 2021

Creating Markets in Madagascar: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

Madagascar CPSD examines inclusive growth, job creation, and economic recovery from COVID-19 through private sector policy reforms and investments.

English - 125 pages | French - 142 pages | 2021 IFC

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.

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.

Sep 21, 2021

Gender Equality in Nigeria’s Private Sector: A Gender Gap Assessment of the 30 Most Capitalized Companies Listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX)

More women have made it to the top of Nigerian companies as CEOs and chairpersons of boards than in some G20 countries. However, there are persistent gender gaps at the company leadership level, in the workforce, and in supply chains, which impacts women’s ability to participate equally as men in Nigeria.

Jul 22, 2021

Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania under the Finance2Equal Tanzania

This case study presents findings and recommendations of a survey done in 2020 by IFC in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania under the Finance2Equal Tanzania program. The study explores family-friendly workplace policies implemented by the bank and how employers can implement gender-smart strategies that support gender inclusion and yield benefits for companies.

Jul 19, 2021

Public Sector Advisory Operations in Fragile African Markets

The report, Public Sector Advisory Operations in Fragile African Markets, presents lessons learned and recommendations for improving project delivery of public sector advisory projects aimed at supporting governments' finance, private sector, and entrepreneurship agenda in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Jul 19, 2021

Creating Markets in Malawi: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

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

English | 129 pages | 2021 IFC

Jul 8, 2021

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.

Jun 29, 2021

Sourcing2Equal Kenya: Barriers and Approaches to Increase Access to Markets for Women- Owned Businesses

An IFC Sourcing2Equal study on gender-inclusive sourcing to understand the barriers that women-owned SMEs face in accessing procurement contracts in the private sector in Kenya

Jun 28, 2021

Creating Markets in Mozambique: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

The Mozambique CPSD provides IFC & World Bank analysis of growth and investment opportunities, constraints and policy recommendations.

English | 246 pages | 2021 IFC

Jun 25, 2021

Leading Tanzanian Women in Financial Services

Tanzania’s financial services sector is an important engine of economic growth and includes banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and credit reference bureaus.

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 21, 2020

Creating Markets in Egypt: Country Private Sector Diagnostic

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

English - 144 pages | Arabic - 119 pages | 2020 IFC

Dec 9, 2020

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - Alcazar Energy, Egypt

Alcazar Energy recognizes that workplace bullying, and in particular any forms of sexual harassment, could impact business operations and the employee’s wellbeing.

8 pages | © December 2020 IFC | Complimentary

Dec 9, 2020

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - TAQA Arabia, Energy, Egypt

TAQA Arabia recognized a need to consider specific risks for women as part of the project’s environmental, social, and health and safety requirements.

6 pages | © December 2020 IFC | Complimentary

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

Nov 18, 2020

Supply Chain Finance in Morocco: Preparing for the Future

Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco face critical issues even though they represent over 95 percent of all companies and are a major source of employment and wealth.

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.