We were pleased to join the launch of the UK’s Africa Approach with @JennyChapman this week, focused on building long-term partnerships. At BII, we are proud of our track record of investing into African entrepreneurs and businesses to support their growth and success.

Tune in to our Impact= event as we discuss the role of mobilisation in addressing the climate emergency piped.video/ALAmGw0a6rk

BII and the @PIC_SouthAfrica have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate collaboration and investment across Africa. The agreement between Africa’s largest asset manager and the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor establishes a framework to jointly explore and pursue impactful investment opportunities. Learn more about the partnership: BII and PIC sign landmark partnership to advance vital investment across Africa  - British International Investment

As part of our series ‘Innovations changing the world’ we are highlighting our investee Fasal. The company has an ‘intelligence platform’ app that helps farmers predict weather patterns, optimise the use of valuable resources such as fertiliser and water, and secure the best prices for their crops. #InnovationsChangingTheWorld #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #SustainableInvesting #BIIImpact

Read the quotes from Jane Marriot CMG OBE (British High Commissioner to Pakistan), Habib Yousuf (Regional Director for South Asia British International Investment) and Maya Inayat Ismail (Chairperson HBL Sustainability Forum)

We are thrilled to partner with @HBLPak Pakistan’s leading bank, to provide a $75 million facility aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and boosting the agriculture sector. The agriculture sector is vital for Pakistan’s economic growth, food security, and the livelihoods of many. Our goal is to build a resilient and sustainable agriculture sector that drives economic growth, supports livelihoods, and ensures food security for Pakistan. Read more here: lnkd.in/ebf_HDYN #ImpactInvestment #FoodSecurity #ClimateResilience #AgricultureFinance #DevelopmentFinance #Pakistan #SustainableGrowth

Together with The British High Commission South Africa, BII hosted a reception at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Cape Town. It was a pleasure to gather likeminded people to connect and take part in some insightful conversations. Here are some pictures from the reception, where speakers including our CEO Leslie Maasdorp, our Chair Diana Layfield, Antony Phillipson UK High Commissioner to South Africa and Tomi Amosun Managing Partner at Summit Africa Fund, took to podium to share their thoughts. @ukinsouthafrica

We’re expanding our digital presence! British International Investment is now on Bluesky. Follow us there to stay updated on the impact we’re making, celebrate key milestones with us, and gain expert insights into sustainable investing and development finance. Join the conversation: @britishintinv.bsky.social #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance #SustainableGrowth #Bluesky #BritishInternationalInvestment

We are live! Join the conversation here: piped.video/watch?v=65eplFpF…

Join us for next week’s event celebrating a decade of impact achieved by BII’s Catalyst and the lessons we’ve learnt along the way. To join us in person click: tinyurl.com/4hkmmecz Or online click: tinyurl.com/2ezthbpr We'll share lessons you'll find in our new report “Pioneering catalytic capital: a decade of learning” tinyurl.com/3sz8fcu9 Chaired by ImpactAlpha's @JPothering, speakers include @LJ_Spengle, Founder of Courageous Capital Advisors, LLC, @MedAccessCEO Michael Anderson CB, and @RaghuramTalluri Chief Executive of LoadShare Networks. They will be joined by BII’s Chief Impact Officer, Maria Smith.

Join the conversation on the power of gender investment in emerging markets and how development finance can advance women’s economic empowerment. Going live at 1:30pm GMT piped.video/watch?v=QP45To2H…

It was great to be joined by Minister Dodds this week who took the time to join us at our London office to hear about some of investments and the impact we are having. Minister Dodds also gave a speech to staff, where she spoke about the UK's approach to international development, and the role that BII plays within that.

We’re proud to support TradeDepot, a platform empowering informal retailers in Nigeria, especially women-led microbusinesses, with easier access to goods and financial services. In this video, shop owner Anthonia explains how she has built a successful business since becoming a TradeDepot customer. #WomenInBusiness #FinancialInclusion #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs #InclusiveGrowth #DigitalTransformation #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance #SustainableDevelopment #SmallBusinessSupport #RetailInnovation #NigeriaBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneurs #Microbusinesses #EconomicEmpowerment #SocialImpact

Don’t miss the latest Impact Equals podcast with Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldives President and climate champion. He shares his journey and the role of South-South collaboration in tackling the climate crisis. tinyurl.com/2s4yr9n3 #ImpactEquals #Podcast #ClimateAction #MohamedNasheed #ClimateChange #SustainableDevelopment #SouthSouthCollaboration #ClimateVulnerable #Innovation #Sustainability #GlobalClimateCrisis #Resilience

Diana Layfield delivered the closing remarks at an insightful panel discussing public finance being essential to accelerating the clean energy transition. This continues to be a focus for BII as we drive the green transition in emerging markets and developing economies.

We joined some notable guests to speak about how collaboration between DFIs, the private sector and governments can help countries meet their climate targets.

We have been busy at COP29 where we have been meeting and talking to various interesting people. Our Chair Diana Layfield has been having a number of important conversations including discussions about the importance of increasing energy access in Africa. [A thread]

On the latest episode of the Impact Equals podcast we're joined Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives and renowned climate activist. As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), Nasheed discusses the urgent need for global climate action, sharing insights from his journey as a political leader and climate champion. #ImpactEquals #Podcast #ClimateAction #MohamedNasheed #ClimateChange #SustainableDevelopment #SouthSouthCollaboration #ClimateVulnerable #Innovation #Sustainability #GlobalClimateCrisis #Resilience

🌍 In the latest Impact Equals podcast, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed shares his journey from political leader to climate champion. As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, he discusses the urgent need for global action and how South-South collaboration can drive climate resilience. Tune in here: shorturl.at/VymX2 🎙️ #ImpactEquals #ClimateAction #MohamedNasheed #Sustainability

We are excited to announce a $150m trade liquidity program with @Absa Group to help close Africa’s trade finance gap, which is estimated to be between $100bn and $120bn. This long-standing partnership will provide crucial trade finance for businesses across Africa, with a focus on sustainable and inclusive funding. This includes supporting strategic sectors such as agriculture, FMCG and healthcare and underserved groups comprising small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women and youth. The investment qualifies for 2X Global for promoting gender equality, inclusive leadership, and social impact. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the World Bank Annual Meetings with @nickodonohoe - BII CEO, @AnnelieseDodds - UK Minister for Development and Charles Russon - Interim Group CEO, Absa Group To find out more about how this historical partnership has provided much needed trade finance in countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique – supporting over US$1bn in trade volumes, read more on the link in the comments. #ImpactInvesting #TradeFinance #Africa #SustainableGrowth #SMEFinance #DevelopmentFinance #BII #Absa #InclusiveGrowth #2XChallenge #AfCFTA

Our application deadline is approaching! As you apply to our Graduate Programme, you'll undertake a series of assessments. Alan, a BII Investment and Impact Graduate Analyst has given some insight into our application process: "The last step was the assessment centre which was an intense day filled with a group exercise, a case study, presenting the findings of the case study to senior staff." tinyurl.com/4hzz8wvr

We were pleased to attend the #HamburgSustainabilityConference last week. At the conference we joined with private and public institution partners in the launch of the Hamburg Sustainability Platform, a coalition to reach a common approach to blended finance. The aim is to help mobilise private capital into sustainable investments at scale.

We’re investing $7.5 million to help @BasiGoRwanda purchase 100 more electric buses, expanding green public transport in Rwanda and reducing emissions by 70 tons of CO2 annually. With the government targeting 20% electric buses by 2030, BasiGo’s innovative “pay-as-you-drive” model makes e-buses more affordable. @Lord_Collins of Highbury, UK Minister for Africa, recently experienced this green solution firsthand during his visit to Rwanda.

We are happy to announce a $25 million risk-sharing facility with @ecobank_SLeone to increase access to finance for ambitious businesses. The private sector, which mainly comprises SMEs, is crucial to Sierra Leone’s economy providing employment for about 70 per cent of the population. Yet, access to capital is a challenge. This facility, the first investment through our Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) platform, will not only increase lending to businesses in critical sectors but also provide longer term loans in local currency. The agreement was signed at AFSIC by MD Sebastian Ashong-Katai and BII’s Samir Abhyankar. It demonstrates BII’s ability to act as a first mover in frontier markets, navigating risk and working with partners to create impact. @GroupEcobank

BII is delighted to support this key deal with @PTCLOfficial, enabling more digital infrastructure investments in Pakistan. This will boost digital connectivity, delivering affordable telecommunications services to millions of people. Learn more here: shorturl.at/YKKcL

In 2023, we made £652 million of commitments to the most fragile countries across the regions where we invest. These are places where private sector investment remains scarce and it is hard to do business. Find out more in our Annual Review bii.co.uk/reviews/annual-rev…

⬇ This will be Sierra Leone's first large-scale solar project to be connected to the grid, improving energy access across the country. We've invested in Planet Solar alongside Frontier Energy and other DFIs. The solar project is expected to increase electricity supply by 30%.

We invest to achieve economic opportunities for all. One of the ways we do this is by investing in fragile and low-income countries. These are places where private sector investment remains scarce and it is hard to do business. Find out more about our work in these countries⬇️📹

Our Annual Review 2023 launch event is starting soon! Join the livestream here: piped.video/watch?v=wAAoh0jV…

📅 Join us on Wednesday 17 July for a special event to mark the publication of our 2023 Annual Review, ‘Creating impact together’ 🤝. Join our Chair, CEO and partners as we explore key milestones, successes and challenges from the past year. 🔗Register: eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-re…

We’re looking forward to the upcoming @EAVCA Conference on 13 June. Our Investment Director, Head of Intermediated Financial Services, Jo Fry will be speaking at the conference and Seema Dhanani will also be in attendance representing BII. Hope to see many of you there! 🌍🤝

In this video, BII's Charitha Isanaka explains how our new guidance, developed in partnership with @IFC_org and @FMO_development, offers practical advice to investors on integrating an inclusive lens across the investment lifecycle.

Our MD and Head of Africa, Chris Chijiutomi, is speaking at this year's @africaceoforum in Kigali, Rwanda. Details below for when you can join the 'From Peril to Prosperity: Redefining Infrastructure panel'. We hope to see many of you there!

Last week, we were honoured to welcome King Letsie III of Lesotho and a delegation of Ministers to the BII offices. The roundtable discussion focussed on supporting Lesotho's clean energy transition, in particular, the Just Energy Transition Fund. @HarryMacDonald0 @FCDOGovUK

Earlier this week our Head of Gender and Diversity Finance Sonia Jordan-Kirwan joined @JustineGreening and Jonathan Leape on a panel discussion at Wilton House. The conversation focussed on the importance of women playing a central role in the transition to greener economies.

Our Managing Director and Head of Asset Allocation and Capital Solutions, Yasemin Saltuk Lamy, was recently a guest on the Scaling Impact Capital #podcast. 🎧 The episode is available on all major podcast streaming services – simply search for ‘Scaling Impact Capital’🎧

Join us online this morning for the launch of our Emerging Economies Climate Report 2023. Head here ➡ odi.org/en/events/emerging-e… click on the ‘JOIN NOW’ button. 🕥 The livestream will run from 10:30am – 12:15pm GMT 🕥

We're pleased to announce a $15m follow-on investment in @KashfFoundation, a leading microfinance business in Pakistan. Alongside @Finnfund, we’re proud to continue our support of Kashf Foundation and their commitment to supporting women's economic empowerment. @ukinpakistan

We’re supporting SMEs in Africa with a $15m commitment to the African Rivers Fund IV, managed by XSML Capital. The fund aims to improve access to finance for SMEs in Africa that not suitably served by the formal banking sector and other financial institutions.

We were pleased to join @JonnyBaxterFCDO and our investee company Valency International at the commissioning of a new supply chain complex in Ibadan, Nigeria. The complex follows our $15m investment in Valency last year, which will boost food security and job creation in Nigeria.

Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay on Friday 8 March, find out more about gender-smart investing. In this video, we look at what it is and the benefits of investing with a gender lens. To learn more about investing in women, visit our Gender Toolkit: gendertoolkit.bii.co.uk/

Last week, our Managing Director and Head of Africa, Chris Chijiutomi, met with the Ambassador of Egypt and the High Commissioner of Zambia to discuss our investments in these countries and to explore additional ways to collaborate in the future.

What does impact investing mean to you? That’s a question we discussed on our latest IMPACT = podcast with @KieronJBoyle, Chief Executive Officer at the @ImpactInvInst. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here - bii.co.uk/en/news-insight/in…

There was also a signing ceremony between @FCDOgovUK and the Government of Nepal for the 'Nepal in Business' programme. The programme, which we support through our technical assistance facility, aims to generate economic growth by financing and supporting SMEs.

We were pleased to join @AndrewmitchMP on recent visits to some of our investees in Nepal - the Upper Trishuli 1 Hydropower project, a landmark hydro-electric plant currently under construction. And Upaya, the first end-to-end logistics service provider in Nepal.

Globally, one-third of SMEs are owned by women – yet 70 per cent report having no or insufficient access to financing. In this video, find out how together with @FirstBankngr, we’re helping women-owned and led businesses in Nigeria to grow.

#WhatMattersMost to you in your career? At BII, we help tackle the biggest global development challenges. Our scope and impact gives you the opportunity to do vital and hugely rewarding work. Find out more: bii.co.uk/en/careers

At BII, we help solve the biggest global development challenges. We enable people to build better lives, for themselves and their communities. What we do matters. So we asked our employees, “what matters most to you?”. Find out more at: bii.co.uk/careers #WhatMattersMost