Solar mini-grid project pipeline comes into focus in Africa, Asia and Latin America

It’s going to take years for utilities’ grids to reach remote villages in Africa, if they ever do. Standalone solar home systems are filling some of the gap. But in many cases local “mini-grids” that can power businesses, schools and other loads are the least-cost option with the broadest social and economic benefits. Investors put

Kashf Foundation secures $17 million for gender-lens microfinance in Pakistan

OPIC, MicroVest, and Germany’s Bank Im Bistum Essen have committed $17 million to support the organization in the mission it started in 1999: to provide microfinance services to women in low-income communities.

Youth, tech and entrepreneurship drive impact investing’s growth in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia’s mix of democracies, military dictatorships and communist governments, alongside economies at various levels of development present a challenge for regional investment strategies. A tech-connected and youthful population with a growing affinity for entrepreneurship, however, make it an emerging hotspot for impact investing. About 60 impact investors have placed about $900 million into 225

Nepal’s Dolma Impact Fund raises $36.6 million for energy, agriculture, healthcare and tourism deals

The fund has raised $36.6 million after launching as Nepal’s first private equity and impact investing fund in 2014.

Gender bias creates gender-lens investment opportunities in ethical fashion in Indonesia

The best investors see opportunities where others don’t. To see the unseen, a new crop of investors is going beyond “trusting your gut” to building gender bias analysis into their investment decision making.

Insitor backs SolarHome to expand pay-as-you-go solar in Southeast Asia

With the new funding, SolarHome will expand across Myanmar, and into Cambodia and Indonesia by the end of this year.

Korean bank Woori buys VisionFund Cambodia

Eighty percent of Cambodians live in rural areas and less than 20% of adults have access to financial services.