Abt Global’s webinar series, Reimagining Private Capital for SDGs, began with a discussion on “Bridging the Private Capital Financing Gap in the Global South.” It detailed the investment opportunities in underinvested sectors and geographies to bridge the staggering USD 4.2 trillion annual gap in financing required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
In the second webinar, “Challenges to Mobilizing Private Capital in a Recessionary World,” held on July 13, we brought together investment and risk professionals from the development sector to discuss the critical risks, challenges, and potential mitigation strategies involved in mobilizing private capital for such investments. These considerations are critical in the context of a post-pandemic world and rising interest rates.
Private investments in emerging markets have inherent risks given the early-stage business models and systemic political risks associated with investing in social sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic and concurrent global political crises, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have worsened these risks. The World Bank predicts global economic growth will slow sharply to 1.7 percent in 2023. Along with increasing interest rates globally, the slowdown is expected to exacerbate debt distress and access to capital in emerging markets. A conversation on private capital mobilization for SDGs should address these risks and challenges at the outset.
MODERATOR:
- Arun Asok, Strategic Lead, Private Capital and Impact Investing, Abt Global
PANELISTS:
- Amy Wang, Head of Credit Strategies, Blue Earth Capital
- Christian Ruehmer, Senior Investment Advisor, Bamboo Capital Partners/ Co-Founder Q-Lana
- Njeri Kirumbi, Regional Director, Africa, WaterEquity
- Pawel Ruchlicki, Director, Hedging & Securities, MFX Solutions
Learn more about the Reimagining Private Capital for SDGs webinar series.
Watch the Video:
Arun Asok
Arun Asok is a seasoned impact investor with 15 years of experience investing in and managing a portfolio of impact enterprises across Asia and Africa, particularly those focused on healthcare, financial services, and energy access. As a senior advisor in Abt’s International Development Division, Arun leads mobilizing private capital and structuring impact investments for various client projects. More broadly, he leads Abt’s private capital and impact investment strategy and execution, and convenes thought leadership activities to champion private capital as a tool for inclusive growth and social and economic wellbeing. Arun’s expertise spans fund structuring, investment management, portfolio management, and business operations while forging public-private partnerships between UN organizations, ministries, developmental institutions, and commercial investors.
Reimagining Private Capital for SDGs: Bridging the Private Capital Financing Gap in the Global South
Abt’s webinar will focus on promoting private capital investment in underinvested regions and sectors such as healthcare and water, sanitation, and hygiene.