Driven by its strategic themes of ‘SDGs financing and impact investment’, G-NEXID held with the support of the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB) a webinar on ‘Impact investment in the COVID-19 era and its aftermath; key issues for DFIs’ on 24 November 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the SDGs financing gap (estimated at $2.5 trillion per year in developing countries in the initial phase of the SDGs era by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), the webinar addressed two core issues: firstly, the role of impact investment in leveraging private sector funds, and secondly, the need for investment in more impactful SDGs projects.
The webinar benefited from the contribution of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Principles for Responsible Investments (PRI) Association in presenting key lessons from COVID-19 response bonds, the OECD Social Impact Investment Initiative, and the role played by the PRI in the post-pandemic recovery and reform.
Following these perspectives on policy issues, the joint presentation from TDB and IFU-Danish development finance institution– highlighted key aspects of investing in COVID-19 and their contribution to positive impacts on the SDGs.
Finally, as impact-oriented companies play a key role in channelling funds for impactful projects, Plastic Bank and Goodwell Investments BV respectively presented key opportunities for empowering the world to stop ocean plastic & improve lives, and for the promotion of sustainable agribusiness.
The detailed report is presented in the Yearbook for 2020.