FSD Africa

📍 Cape Town, South Africa – Global Banking & Markets: Africa - Bonds, Loans and ESG 2025 We will be attending Africa’s largest corporate and investment banking event, which is taking place on 25-26 March 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Our Chief Financial Markets Officer, Evans Osano, DBA, will be speaking alongside senior representatives from Absa Group, Standard Bank Group, IDC and IFC - International Finance Corporation, discussing the rise of green bond issuance across Africa and the key factors driving strong investor demand for these transactions. This event brings together 1,300+ senior decision-makers from governments, corporates, investors, banks, law firms, regulators and service providers, making it a key platform for networking, business development and market insights. We will be sharing key takeaways and discussions from the event. Stay tuned as we continue driving the conversation on Africa’s financial future. -- #MakingFinanceWork #CapitalMarkets #GreenBonds  -- Jemima Gathumi, Mary M. Njuguna, Cecilia Bjerborn Murai, Victor Nkiiri, Vimal Parmar, CFA, MBA, Adebayo Araoye, Sandy O. Okoth, Brian O. Yalla, CFA, CAIA, CIPM, MCSI, CIFA, Amos Mugi, FRM, Joy V. Kendi, Lilian Bwire, Evelyne Matibe.

Africa’s insurance gap leaves millions vulnerable to climate, health, and economic risks. BimaLab Africa is changing that by accelerating innovation and expanding access to affordable, relevant insurance solutions. Through strategic partnerships and regulatory collaboration, #BimaLab is building a more inclusive and dynamic insurance market. Since 2020, we have empowered innovative startups across the continent, impacting millions with better coverage and raising millions in direct funding for BimaLab Africa insurtechs. The future is bright, apply for the 2025 cohort now: https://lnkd.in/dFNEXKFd -- #BimaLabAfrica #Insurtech #ClimateResilience #Innovation #Startups #FundingOpportunity #ScaleYourImpact -- Kelvin Massingham, Elias Omondi, Titus Kisenga, Elizabeth Njambi, Monicah Gatonye -- Swiss Re

A new chapter for CIFAR Alliance. Our Director, Early Stage Finance Juliet Munro and Graham A N Wright, Group Managing Director at MSC (MicroSave Consulting) are stepping into new leadership roles as Co-Chairs of the CIFAR Alliance. As founding members, Juliet and Graham have been instrumental in shaping the Alliance’s vision and impact. They will lead strategy, governance, fundraising, advocacy and member engagement in their new roles to drive meaningful progress in climate finance and inclusive resilience. We look forward to their leadership as we work towards a more resilient and inclusive future! -- #MakingFinanceWork #ClimateFinance #InclusiveResilience

Today, we held the Geothermal Risk Insurance Program (GRIP) Training Workshop to enhance the capacity of insurers and reinsurers from the #Kenyan market to understand and underwrite geothermal energy risks. Facilitated by experts such as Simon Ngure and Lemayian Chris Kimojino from MRC Consultants, the workshop aimed to equip participants from actuarial, underwriting, reinsurance, and claims departments with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to develop and manage geothermal risk transfer products.    A key focus was an understanding of geothermal energy, the geothermal policy environment, and the investment landscape for geothermal projects, highlighting the high initial costs and the need for innovative financial structures to attract funding. Sessions also highlighted the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders—government bodies like EPRA and GDC, private developers, and local communities—in setting up geothermal projects. -- #MakingFinanceWork -- Zillah Malia, Titus Kisenga, Alphonce Mwangi

🎉 FSD Africa Achieves CIPS Procurement Excellence! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that we successfully completed the CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Procurement Excellence Programme (PEP) – a globally recognised assessment that measures procurement functions against world-class standards. Paul Vos, the southern Africa regional manager of CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, officially presented the certification today, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to excellence in procurement. Over a rigorous six-month evaluation, our procurement team was assessed on nearly 100 elements across five key dimensions: ✅ Leadership & Organisation ✅ Strategy ✅ People ✅ Processes & Systems ✅ Performance Measurement & Management This achievement reflects our commitment to best-in-class procurement practices, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and continuous improvement. It also reinforces assurance to our donors and co-funders that our procurement processes meet the highest standards. A special congratulations to our Procurement team, led by 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢, for their hard work and dedication throughout this process. Their efforts have firmly established procurement as a strategic function at the core of FSD Africa’s mission. As we continue striving for excellence and innovation, this milestone serves as a springboard for even greater improvements, particularly following the recent introduction of our market-leading guidelines for Sustainable Procurement. Here’s to driving impact through strategic, responsible, and world-class procurement! -- Matthew Rudd, Warucu Itotia, Samson Koross, Connie Mwololo, Carolyne M., Jenipher simbe

In 2024, in partnership with Parallelle Finance, UN Women, British International Investment, LuxDev and FSD Network, we launched the Gender Bonds Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to guide stakeholders through the complexities of gender bond initiatives in Africa. The toolkit provides practical guidance, case studies, and strategic insights, supporting innovative financing mechanisms that enhance women’s and girls’ economic empowerment. With Africa’s capital markets showing immense potential, gender bonds can be a game-changer in bridging gender gaps across sectors. Recently we had a chat with Marypat Thenell Smucker, CFA and Angela Atherton, CFA, FRM, Co founders at Parallelle Finance who spoke to us on a well-structured gender bond issuance begins with strong preparation, the right partners, and a clear long-term vision. To succeed, issuers must: ✅ Prepare effectively – Gather robust data, build a capable working group, and establish a compelling rationale for issuance. ✅ Engage the right market players – Collaborate with experts in gender finance and sustainability to position the bond effectively and attract the right investors. ✅ Ensure transparency and impact reporting – Maintain investor confidence through rigorous post-issuance monitoring and reporting. We have supported issuers in navigating this process, mobilising capital for women's economic empowerment. Our work spans technical assistance to regulators and exchanges in Morocco, Ghana and Tanzania, fostering enabling environments for gender bond issuances. 🔗 Download the Gender Bonds Toolkit to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dGVsfZ_B -- #MakingFinanceWork #GenderLensInvesting #FinancialInclusion #AccelerateAction -- Evans Osano, DBA, Jemima Gathumi, Mary M. Njuguna, Adebayo Araoye, Joy V. Kendi, Lilian Bwire, Sally Woolhouse, Eyong Beatrice, Kate Perkins, Qing Xu, Sophie Mills.

Building resilience against climate-driven health risks in Africa! Climate change is intensifying health threats across Africa, posing serious risks to vulnerable communities. According to UNICEF, malaria remains a leading cause of infant mortality in the region, with cases surging during periods of heavy rainfall due to increased mosquito breeding grounds. Additionally, extreme weather events such as floods heighten the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, further endangering public health. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, supported by #FSDAfrica and Swiss Re, is seeking innovative health-tech and insurtech startups that can develop solutions to mitigate these climate-induced health risks. Successful applicants will gain access to mentorship, strategic partnerships and funding opportunities to scale their impact. Your innovation could save lives! Apply today and help build a healthier, more resilient Africa. Submit your application here: https://lnkd.in/dFNEXKFd -- #BimaLabAfrica #Insurtech #ClimateResilience #Innovation #Startups #FundingOpportunity #ScaleYourImpact -- Kelvin Massingham, Elias Omondi, Titus Kisenga, Monicah Gatonye, Elizabeth Njambi.

We are always pleased to partner with Swiss Re Foundation to build resilience across Africa and push insurance coverage to the new frontiers.

📢 Hot off the press! Our latest newsletter is here. In February, we strengthened partnerships, championed climate finance and shaped policies for a more inclusive and resilient financial future. Key highlights include: 1️⃣ Bridging UK-Kenya financial sectors at a high-level roundtable with Lord Collins of Highbury. 🇬🇧🇰🇪 2️⃣ Promoting green investments at the Africa Green Economy Summit. 3️⃣ Advancing financial resilience at the Finance in Common Summit. These are just some of the initiatives contributing to Africa’s evolving financial landscape. Read the full roundup in our latest newsletter! -- #MakingFinanceWork #SustainableFinance #ClimateFinance #Innovation

This International Women’s Day 2025, we’re not just celebrating progress—we’re accelerating it. We recognise that gender equality catalyses stronger economies and inclusive growth. That’s why we are strengthening the link between finance and the real economy, ensuring our work has a meaningful impact on women's economic well-being. But change must start from within. We are committed to walking the talk. Our internal gender policies champion diversity, equity and inclusion at every level—ensuring our workplace reflects the transformation we seek in Africa. From inclusive hiring practices to leadership development and workplace culture, we are building an organisation where all voices are heard and all talents can thrive. Beyond our walls, our gender strategy drives systemic change by integrating gender into our operations and equipping market actors with the tools to embed gender-smart solutions that create lasting impact. 🎥 Watch the full video to hear from the FSD Africa team as they discuss our gender policy and share how we empower, develop and drive change. -- #MakingFinanceWork #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #GenderEquality -- Mark Napier, Hellen Maruti Kong'ong'o, HRBP, Brenda Kamboga, Allison Wainaina, Mercy Koech, Anne-Marie Chidzero, Evans Osano, DBA, Kelvin Massingham, Juliet Munro, Reshma Shah, Kaara Wainaina, Kevin Munjal, Rahab Munyoroku, Matthew Rudd, Samson Koross, Warucu Itotia.