In Part 1, we highlighted the importance of ecological banks as a contact point for investors who want to make a positive (or at least reduce their negative) impact. But what is actually the problem with many conventional banks? How…
In recent years, sustainability and climate change have become more and more present in the public discourse. As an increasing number of people start re-examining their habits and lifestyles through a sustainability lens, they find themselves confronted with new uncertainties:…
PART II: SPOTLIGHT ON INVESTING IN LOANS VERSUS BUYING BONDS As usual, one can complain about a lot of things in capital markets – at any time. But one of the few things surely no one can complain about was…
With the SMART Campaign’s retirement in March 2021, a quick look back at the path travelled, and some thoughts on social performance. For a long time, the achievement of social impact was considered a given of microfinance activity: since people…
The “Africa Rising” narrative has long been touted on the back of strong macro-economic growth across the continent since the early 2000’s. The recurring question however is whether it will in fact materialise and result in inclusive economic growth and…
Thanks to lenient regulations on deposit taking in West Africa, what we now understand as microfinance is individual loans to microentrepreneurs with an established business in the retail sector, used for working capital and small investments in their business, paid…
The world and emerging markets in particular have a waste problem. Cities around the world generate over 2 billion tons of waste per year, and one-quarter of the world’s population, located primarily in emerging markets, does not have its waste…
by Peter Moelders Covid-19 is impacting our lives in almost every way, privately and professionally. And it will continue to do so for quite some time, even if a proper vaccine is developed in the months to come. This blog…
ON THE ELECTRICITY DEMAND IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICA (SSA) Following the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) most governments in Africa adopted the target to reach universal access to electricity by 2030. However, 2018-levels of electrification in SSA remain low on…
Carbon tax is a fee imposed on the burning of carbon-based fuels (coal, oil, gas)1. Many economist and scientists regard it as an incentive to reduce the use of fossil fuels and an instrument for governments to reduce emissions, fight…