Investing for Impact
Episodes
IMPACT= Post COP30 reflections on mobilising capital for climate and development
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this post‑COP30 debrief, BII’s Amal‑Lee Amin is joined by two leading voices in climate finance - Nick Mabey, CEO of E3G and founder of Lond...
IMPACT= Investing for gender equity and climate resilience
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore intersection between gender equity and climate resilience in emerging markets. Recorded during London Climate Action Week,...
IMPACT = Using blended finance to increase private capital in emerging markets
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Across North America and Europe, international development budgets are being slashed. Development Finance Institutions need to ensure that every dolla...
IMPACT = Podcast with Cherie Blair, CBE KC
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this special International Women’s Day episode, we are joined by Cherie Blair, CBE KC, a distinguished barrister and human rights lawyer. A pass...
IMPACT = Pioneering catalytic capital – A decade of learning
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of the Impact = podcast, we reflect on 10 years of pioneering catalytic capital through BII’s Catalyst portfolio. Since its ...
IMPACT = Lessons from six years in gender investing
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Worldwide, gender inequality is deeply ingrained in systems and institutions. And women’s economic participation is limited by the discrimination an...
IMPACT = Podcast with Mohamed Nasheed, Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and former President of the Maldives
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mohamed Nasheed, the former President of Maldives - a prominent climate activist and distinguished politician joins us for this episode of the IMPACT...
IMPACT = Podcast with Tom Hall, Head of Social Impact & Philanthropy at UBS on philanthropic investing's role in the impact economy
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT= Podcast, we talk to Tom Hall, Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy at UBS, one of the world’s leading wealth manage...
IMPACT = Podcast with Manfred Schepers, CEO and Founder of ILX Management on why pension funds should be partners with development finance institutions
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT= Podcast, we talk to Manfred Schepers, the founder and CEO of ILX Management, the Amsterdam-based manager of emerging ma...
IMPACT = Podcast with Jane Goodland, Group Head of Sustainability at the London Stock Exchange Group
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT= Podcast, we talk to Jane Goodland, Group Head of Sustainability at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) - a cornersto...
IMPACT = Podcast How the climate crisis is affecting businesses in emerging economies
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The climate emergency is having a devastating impact on emerging economies. Without decisive action, this will only become more severe as global tempe...
IMPACT= Podcast with Vineet Rai, Founder and Chairman of the Aavishkaar Group
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT= podcast, we talk to Vineet Rai, Founder and Chairman of the Aavishkaar Group – an impact investment platform that “...
IMPACT = Podcast with Jessica Espinoza of 2X Global
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT = podcast, we talk to Jessica Espinoza, Chief Executive Officer of 2X Global – the leading organisation championing th...
IMPACT = Podcast with Kieron Boyle of the Impact Investing Institute
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT = podcast, we talk to Kieron Boyle, Chief Executive of the Impact Investing Institute - an independent, non-profit organ...
IMPACT = Podcast with Sapna Shah of Novastar Ventures
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the IMPACT = podcast, we talk to Sapna Shah, a partner at Novastar Ventures, one of the first and largest VC firms in Africa that f...
IMPACT = Podcast with Jacqueline Novogratz of Acumen
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our next episode of the IMPACT = podcast, we talk to Jacqueline Novogratz, impact investment pioneer and Founder and CEO of Acumen. Jacqueline sha...
IMPACT= Podcast with Nick O'Donohoe, CEO of British International Investment
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this IMPACT = podcast episode, we talk to our Chief Executive Officer, Nick O'Donohoe. Nick joined BII as its Chief Executive in June 2017 and is ...
IMPACT= Podcast with Faheen Allibhoy of J.P. Morgan Development Finance Institution
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our next episode, we talk to Faheen Allibhoy, Managing Director of the J.P. Morgan Development Finance Institution. The J.P. Morgan Development ...
IMPACT = Podcast with Dr Frank Aswani, CEO of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our next episode of the IMPACT = podcast, we speak to Dr Frank Aswani, Chief Executive Officer of the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA)....
IMPACT = Podcast with Amit Bouri, CEO of the Global Impact Investing Network
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our next episode of the IMPACT = podcast, we talk to Amit Bouri, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) Amit Bouri ...
IMPACT = Podcast with Andy Kuper, CEO of LeapFrog Investments
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
IMPACT = has been founded as a platform to share impact expertise – through an open dialogue with leaders in the industry and a collaborative excha...
The African Climate Conversation: The vital role women can play in climate action
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Research shows that women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change and in diverse ways - from peace and security, to education, hea...
The African Climate Conversation: Financing resilient and adaptable African infrastructure
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is part of The African Climate Conversation, a platform which brings together leading African voices on the climate emergency – to dis...
Understanding Impact: How is climate change affecting businesses in Africa and Asia?
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The climate emergency is having a significant impact on communities all around the world, especially those living in Africa and Asia. A recent report ...
The African Climate Conversation: James Mwangi on the opportunity for Africa to lead the Green Revolution
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the run-up to COP27, there is an expectation that there will be a renewed call for Africa to be able to exploit its abundant gas reserves. On this...
The African Climate Conversation: Increasing Africa’s share of global supply chains
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is part of The African Climate Conversation, a platform which brings together leading African voices on the climate emergency – to disc...
The African Climate Conversation: The youth perspective on climate in Africa
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast is part of The African Climate Conversation, a platform which brings together leading African voices on the climate emergency – to disc...
How the circular economy can tackle the climate crisis in emerging markets
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our production and consumption of goods is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis. It generates nearly half of all greenhouse gas emiss...
Why invest in adaptation and resilience?
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Adaptation and resilience-building solutions are needed urgently around the world. In fact, recent studies suggest that they are needed even more quic...
ESG Podcast: Addressing gender-based violence and harassment
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) is a widespread and serious global issue that affects people in the workplace, their communities and homes...
Insight Podcast: Gambling on development: investing in fragile states
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last thirty years, in many developing economies, poverty has fallen, people live longer and healthier lives, and economies have been transfor...
Understanding Impact: The economics of development finance
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we're exploring the fundamentals of the economics of development finance. Our conversation discusses three key areas: - What i...
Insight Podcast: Accelerating digital transformation for sustainable economic development
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The rapid growth of the digital economy is the defining narrative of the last fifty years. Spurred by an era of remarkable innovation, digital technol...
Insight Podcast: Why we need to equalise access to finance
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Within the field of impact investing, the growth of gender lens investment has been one the success stories of the last decade. And increasing evidenc...
ESG Podcast: How businesses and investors can better manage water risks
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Global water use has doubled in the last 40 years. This increase in demand for water, alongside the effects of climate change, mean businesses need to...
Insight Podcast: The future of impact led investing in Africa
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Impact led social investment in Africa has experienced steady growth over the last decade, spurred by the need for a sustainable private sector which ...
Understanding Impact: How a financial institution responded to the pandemic
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When the scale of the pandemic became known in March 2020, financial institutions needed to respond quickly to support the individuals and businesses ...
Productive, Sustainable and Inclusive Investment
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In 2017, we launched a five-year strategy, which aimed to tackle the key development challenges facing countries in Africa and South Asia. A lot has c...
Understanding Impact: Why are women disproportionately affected by climate change?
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men and, at the same time, can be critical agents of adaptation and resilience respons...
Insight Podcast: COP26 – What do emerging economies need and how can we deliver it?
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is now beyond debate that emerging economies will shoulder the burden of the climate crisis. It is estimated that out of the $90 trillion needed fo...
Understanding Impact: How is climate change affecting businesses in emerging economies?
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the impact climate change is having on businesses in emerging economies. We look at how it's affecting firms today, how it...
Insight Podcast: Enabling impact led investments in emerging markets
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A thriving private sector is the foundation of a healthy economy – creating employment, delivering vital goods and services, and providing valuable ...
Insight Podcast: How can technology support growth in Africa?
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look back over our recent Insight events and ask what impact technology will have on economic growth on the African continent, and...
Insight Podcast: What might we expect from COP26?
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are on a summer break from hosting our regular events, so we thought we’d share some of our highlights from the last year of Insight. In this epi...
Understanding Impact: How are tech companies in India responding to the pandemic?
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
India's has been one of the countries worst affected by the pandemic, particularly when it comes to case numbers. Clearly this has had a significant i...
Insight Podcast: Shaping Africa's Growth
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Africa’s population is the youngest on earth and the fastest growing. Research recently published by the Lancet predicts that in the year 2100, five...
Insight Podcast: Harnessing climate finance for sustainable development
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity, with the threat to the most vulnerable and exposed populations in developing econ...
ESG Podcast: How businesses can benefit from better electronic waste management
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is an episode from our ESG Podcast series. In this one, we explore how businesses can benefit from supporting the circular economy and improving ...
Insight Podcast: Economic trends transforming African investment and development
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The African continent has borne the brunt of some of the worst impacts of the pandemic, halting decades of growth, affecting millions of livelihoods a...
Understanding Impact: What are DFIs doing in fragile and conflict-affected situations?
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Global poverty is increasingly concentrated in fragile and conflict-affected settings. A vibrant private sector that creates jobs and opportunities is...
Insight Podcast: Reimagining global governance and development in the post pandemic era
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
COVID-19 has unleashed a devastating crisis which has tested the resilience of existing global governance structures and exposed massive societal imba...
Understanding Impact: The economic impact of Covid-19 on women
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our Understanding Impact podcast series explores some of the biggest challenges facing developing economies and how impact investment can help overcom...
Insight Podcast: Harnessing impact investing for sustainable economic development
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Until now impact investing has seen steady market growth driven by international coalitions and the interests of a handful of global financial giants....
Insight Podcast: How can we tackle the climate crisis in a just and inclusive way?
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the urgency of the climate crisis intensifies, the most vulnerable populations in developing economies are the most exposed. This includes women, w...
Insight Podcast: The power of market creating innovations
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Prosperity and sustainable, inclusive growth are the ultimate goals for developing economies. However, despite the global community spending billions ...
Insight Podcast: Driving social change in India
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the next two years an estimated 500 million low to middle-income people in India are expected to come online for the first time via smart phones....
Insight Podcast: Could COVID-19 shift the world’s economy towards exponential change?
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this CDC Insight Podcast we hear environmentalist, author, and serial entrepreneur John Elkington in conversation with CDC’s CEO Nick O’Donohoe...
Insight Podcast: Building the recovery and the role of impact investing
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this CDC Insight podcast, we share a conversation with Amit Bouri, CEO and Co-Founder of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), in which he jo...
CDC Podcast: Financing the SDGs
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The start of 2020 marks ten years until the deadline to fulfil the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the growth of the impact investm...
CDC podcast: The value of sustainability: evidence from Bangladesh
05 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Pelayo Menendez from CDC’s E&S team interviews PRAN-RFL Group’s Corporate Finance Director, Uzma Chowdhury. The PRAN-RFL Grou...
Meet some of Africa's most exciting privately owned businesses
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The London Stock Exchange Group has just published its second Companies to Inspire Africa report. The publication, produced in partnership with CDC, t...
CDC E&S podcast 8: Energy efficiency and current trends in emerging markets
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
CDC E&S podcast 8: Energy efficiency and current trends in emerging markets by CDC
How can investment help artificial intelligence make an impact in India?
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
India is among the earliest adopters of artificial intelligence (AI). In fact a study from the Boston Consulting Group puts the country third behind t...
CDC E&S podcast 7: The role of the private sector in plastic waste management
24 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Dr. Veronica Di Bella from CDC E&S team interviews David Lerpiniere, head of waste resources and development at Resource Futures. ...
Has impact investing gone mainstream?
04 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Impact investing is an industry that's grown massively in recent years. So much so, in fact, that the Global Impact Investing Network (The GIIN) estim...
Which technologies are supporting development (and which may still have something to prove)?
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The potential of technology in supporting development is huge. We've already seen that, particularly through examples such as mobile money and off-gri...
CDC E&S podcast 6: Managing the risk of modern slavery. Insights for companies and investors
07 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Lara Martin from CDC Group interviewed Cindy Berman (ETI), Shami Nissan (ACTIS), and Larissa Luy (IFC) and discussed modern slavery in...
Where are the opportunities for advancing women's economic empowerment?
14 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The stats on the advantages of women's economic empowerment need little introduction. McKinsey, for example, say that if women's participation rates w...
What does it take to lead a business in a fragile or conflict-affected state?
10 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is a co-produced Development Finance and CDC podcast. Two billion people are living in countries affected by fragility, conflict and violence. Fr...
CDC E&S podcast 5: Land acquisition and livelihoods restoration
27 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our 5th CDC E&S podcast we interview Philip Powell (Director of Eco-Livelihoods) to discuss the challenges around land acquisition and liveliho...
What is a development finance institution?
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is a co-produced Development Finance and CDC podcast. Over the course of this 10 minute episode, we take a closer look at organisations that many...
How the private sector can better support women in the DRC
08 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here we meet one of the inspiring women working at one of our investee companies in Africa. Monique Gieskes has an impressive CV. She’s the regiona...
CDC E&S podcast 4: The role of the board on ESG (Environmental and Social Governance)
15 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is the fourth edition in a series of podcasts from CDC Environmental and Social Responsibility team. This episode focuses on the role of the boar...
Where next for the off-grid solar industry?
13 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
More than 1.2 billion people in the world live without access to electricity. It's an issue that's holding back development. The World Bank estimates ...
CDC E&S podcast 3: How to build an ESMS (Environmental and Social Management System)
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is the third edition in a series of podcasts from CDC Environmental and Social Responsibility team. This episode focuses on how to build Environm...
CDC E&S podcast 2: The value of good labour practices - Philippa Spence
25 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second edition in a series of podcasts from CDC Environmental and Social Responsibility team. This episode focuses on labor and working c...
CDC E&S podcast 1: The business case for ESG - Mark Goldsmith
10 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first edition in a series of podcasts from our Environmental and Social Responsibility team, which focuses on how businesses can benefit f...
How can we build businesses of scale in sub-Saharan Africa?
07 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Economic growth across African countries is under half that of the South Asian economies, while Africa has double the portion of unemployed. If the c...
Can we still be positive about the economic outlook in Africa?
14 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A decade or so of 'Africa rising' - a period of high growth for the majority of the largest economies on the continent - has given way to a more nuanc...
Why should green buildings be a priority for investors in emerging markets?
16 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency said improving building standards should be the world's number one priori...
The importance of improving job quality in supply chains
02 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
It's difficult to dispute that everyone working in supply chains - whether businesses or individuals - should get a fair deal for the work or service...
How can we ensure everyone has access to reliable and affordable electricity?
20 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Having access to reliable and affordable electricity has a transformative effect on people's lives. It means families can light homes and businesses c...
What does the future hold for investment in Africa?
12 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
What does the future hold for investment in Africa? With 11 million people entering the labour market every year in Africa, investment is needed in or...
How can we better support women's economic empowerment?
01 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Although progress is being made in supporting women's economic empowerment, there is still a great deal of work to be done. Initiatives like the Unite...