FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank

We‘ve just released our Climate Investment Playbook, which provides guidance to #venturecapital and #privateequity investors new to climate investing: https://lnkd.in/e7Y-es-i The climate investment market has grown rapidly in recent years. As heat waves, floods and droughts increasingly make headlines worldwide, climate adaptation and resilience solutions are becoming a more prominent focus for investors. In fact, the World Economic Forum estimates that climate adaptation could be worth $2 trillion per year by 2026. For investors new to field, it can be challenging to navigate the world of climate impact management, with few frameworks/methodologies tailored to VC or PE investors in #emergingmarkets. That’s why we’ve published this guidance with British International Investment, explaining the steps investors can take to integrate #climatefinance into their investments, aligning it with key international frameworks. Discover how you can maximize your impact through our Climate Investment Playbook: https://lnkd.in/e7Y-es-i Jorim Schraven Vedantika Bhagat Charissa Bosma Thelma B.

We're supporting small entrepreneurs in Ethiopia through a NASIRA guarantee program we just signed with our new client Cooperative Bank of Oromia: https://lnkd.in/eMYAcXQw One of the largest banks in Ethiopia, Coopbank reaches 13.3 million customers across the country, with 80% of the bank's branches located in outlying or rural areas. It's also one of the only banks actively lending to MSMEs and the agricultural sector, and launched the sector's first uncollaterized #digitallending app and alternative banking channel alongside traditional financial services. To ensure underserved (agricultural) MSMEs receive ample credit, we're providing Coopbank a USD 10 mln NASIRA loan portfolio guarantee, funded by the European Commission. NASIRA is one of our most innovative programs: it encourages local banks to extend their funding to small entrepreneurs often perceived as risky (such as women or young people) through a risk-sharing agreement, which means the program will cover any potential credit losses. In a country where, according to the UNDP, only 6% of the 1.5 million MSMEs have access to finance, we're pleased to support the backbone of the Ethiopian economy together with Coopbank, and look forward to this new chapter of jointly transforming the Ethiopian banking landscape. #TeamEurope #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance

We're investing in the growth of early-stage tech startups across Africa through Breega's first close of its latest fund of USD 75 mln. Breega, an experienced #venturecapital firm based in Paris, recently launched their "Africa Seed I" fund with a focus on startup hotspots like Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, but also Francophone countries including Ivory Coast and Cameroon. With the aim to become one of the fastest-scaling VCs across the continent, the fund focuses on various sectors linked to the SDGs, including climate tech, agritech, and fintech. Through our #FMOVenturesProgram, we're providing EUR 5 mln in equity as the fund focuses on supporting (very) early-stage startups with high growth potential, giving them the best chance possible to scale sustainably. This aligns strongly with both our broader 2030 Strategy and Ventures Program strategy, given the focus on pioneering and seed stage investments, as well as supporting entrepreneurs both in nascent VC markets. We're thrilled to be collaborating with Breega and look forward to stimulating seed capital in local ecosystems in Africa and creating more entrepreneurship opportunities across the continent. Learn more about our Ventures Program here: https://lnkd.in/ecyusHfm #ImpactInvesting

We've announced the signing of a USD 25 mln NASIRA guarantee agreement with Nigeria’s First City Monument Bank Limited, which will help FCMB expand its funding to agricultural, youth, and women-owned SMEs without requiring collateral.   Funded by the European Commission, NASIRA is one of our most innovative programs. It encourages local banks to provide funding to small entrepreneurs without collateral, with FMO providing the guarantee instead. The guarantee is often not fully utilized, showing that these #entrepreneurs actually aren’t as risky as they’re perceived to be.   Job creation in #Nigeria is critical: it’s home to 220 million people, faces high unemployment, and has strong currency depreciation. Through this investment, FCMB will help high-risk groups start and expand their businesses, leading to much-needed income generation.   Alongside the NASIRA guarantee, we’re also providing a USD 60 mln syndicated loan so FCMB can grow its existing loan portfolio of SMEs, with FMO contributing USD 20 mln, FMO IM contributing USD 10 mln, and USD 30 mln through the European Financing Platform, on behalf of of BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, DEG, European Investment Bank (EIB), Finnfund, Proparco, and Swedfund International. We jointly look forward to further leveraging #privatesector investments for job and income creation for Nigerian youth and women! European Union Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS Myriam Ferran Inga Stefanowicz Michel Deelen Consulate General of the Netherlands in Lagos Yemisi Edun Ingrid Thijssen Wennie Waeijen

The Seaport Days Amsterdam are in full swing, highlighting the important role Amsterdam Port (the largest #cocoa port in the world) plays on a global level. A closer look at the sector, however, shows it's not always smooth sailing: production is falling across West Africa, making it harder to meet global demand, particularly if we want to create a climate-resilient flow of #sustainablecocoa. To that end, we recently organized a roundtable on these topics with Wageningen University & Research. Nearly 70 participants, including cocoa traders, producers, and processors from four continents, as well as representatives from the Dutch government, gathered to discuss the root causes and ways the #privatesector can enhance the situation. #WestAfrica, the world’s leading cocoa-producing region, is grappling with a structural supply problem. This crisis has far-reaching implications for the entire industry and West African economies, with farmers bearing the brunt. As production falters, their income dwindles despite high prices, making it difficult to sustain themselves, invest in aging plantations, and build resilience against future climate shocks. Addressing these challenges requires dedicated action from all parties, including regulatory authorities and governments. Improving the situation for farmers is crucial for the sustainability of the cocoa industry in West Africa. Collaborative efforts from the private sector are essential to support West African farmers and secure the future of cocoa production. Thank you to panelists for sharing their perspectives and insights, as well as to our partner Wageningen University & Research! We look forward to continue strengthening the cocoa value chain with our customers and partners, ensuring that everyone across the world can continue to receive and enjoy sustainably-sourced, responsible cocoa. Coen van Genderen Hans Bogaard Pieternel Boogaard Yuca Waarts Rianne van Doeveren Hubert Hoondert Tinka Koster Judith van de Hulsbeek Heleen Ekker Tony's Chocolonely Ivory Cocoa Products (ICP) COCOASOURCE

Last week, we shared the first in our "Foundation of Growth" series of publications, which explored how DFIs are investing in frontier markets in Africa. The publication was launched through the Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA), a #marketcreation initiative we created with British International Investment, which aims to drive collaobration between DFIs and the #privatesector to unlock new investment opportunities, like our recent investment to support Ethiopia's agricultural sector through Dashen Bank. The report highlights the approaches DFIs are taking, the lessons they’re learning and how even greater investment in #frontiermarkets can be delivered in future. Access the report below. #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance

This Tuesday, we again have a few of our vacancies to share as we continue to expand the talent within our organization to maximize our #developmentimpact. If you're looking for the next step in your career, check the vacancies we have available below: 📝Investment Officer ECA/MENA 📝Client Protection Officer For more information on these and other job openings, click here: https://lnkd.in/giGden3w #Hiring #Vacancies #LookingForTalent

Global #aquaculture is set to grow by 35% in the next few years, so how can we best invest in sustainable aquaculture--or blue finance--to support positve impacts for the ocean economy? https://lnkd.in/gKavNu4j Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an international environmental standard for sustainable and socially responsible aquaculture production, and they recently interviewed Presan Pahladsingh, one of our Agribusiness, Food & Water Investment Officers, on why investing in responsible aquaculture is important for us to reach our sustainability goals. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gKavNu4j  

Need a #WeekendRead? We've just released a Mobilising Finance for Forest interview with our Co-Chief Investment Officer Huib-Jan de Ruijter, CFA on energizing the green transition: https://lnkd.in/eRK6mVJ7 MFF was established in 2021 by the United Kingdom government and FMO as a blended finance investment program to combat deforestation and other environmentally unsustainable land use practices contributing to global climate change. In the interview, the MFF team speaks with Huib-Jan about how FMO's evolved its practices to tackle the climate emergency, our #ClimateAction plan, our #marketcreation approach, how blended finance can accelerate the green transition, and much more. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eB8GBSEt

The 2X Challenge coalition, of which we're a member of, is jointly committing USD 20 billion towards women economic empowerment over the next 3 years: https://lnkd.in/dNeaS3FU The 2X Challenge is a movement that first launched at the G7 Summit in Canada in 2018 to collectively mobilize USD 3 bln between 2018 to 2020, and ended up raising USD 11 bln in total. The 3rd edition of the challenge, the 2X Challenge 2024-2027, marks the first time private investors will be part of the initiative, all of whom are committed to creating a more equitable future by investing with a gender lens. Alongside a range of DFIs and MDBs, we're once again renewing our support towards women's economic empowerment. Learn more about the 2X Challenge and how we invest in women through this flagship initiative here: https://lnkd.in/eYXS2qh #ImpactInvesting