The aim of the assignment is to develop strategic options to support UNDP and EBRD to make an important contribution to the development of social enterprises in Egypt through impact investment and innovative financing instruments.
Conducted a Feasibility Study and mapping of opportunities for impact investment in Egypt. Interviewed over 50 SMEs to identify impact businesses by focusing on impact sectors, including clean technology, creative industries, education, employment, financial inclusion, healthcare, solid waste management, and sustainable agriculture. Developed three innovative fund structure for UNDP and EBRD to explore in order to fill in the financing gap associated with social enterprises in Egypt.
Research findings conclude that there are few impact investment funds in Egypt, and investors´ appetite generally is low, mainly due to high transaction costs and high perceived risks in this sector, coupled with the lack of transparent information and unwillingness to cede anything more than a very small stake to investors on the part of companies.
