Upstream Investing: Don Purka shares how IFC goes deeper in emerging markets
Dec 13, 2022
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Don Purka, Principal Investment Officer for Energy at the IFC, discusses transformative upstream investments in emerging markets, especially Africa’s energy sector. He explains how development finance institutions bridge the 'missing middle' gap for businesses seeking funding. The conversation spans opportunities spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights collaborative strategies for enhancing infrastructure, like broadband and water utilities. Purka also emphasizes innovative technologies, such as green hydrogen, as key to supporting decarbonization efforts.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) focuses on upstream investing to overcome barriers in emerging markets and enhance success rates of climate-related projects.
Robust partnerships with private sector stakeholders and governments are essential for the IFC to secure funding and drive impactful renewable energy initiatives.
Deep dives
Addressing the Missing Middle in Climate Finance
The missing middle refers to businesses that fall between small-scale venture capital and large institutional funding, particularly in emerging markets. These businesses often possess innovative climate solutions that could significantly impact local communities but struggle to secure the necessary investments. Development finance institutions like the International Finance Corporation (IFC) aim to fill this gap while adhering to their mission and outcome goals. By focusing on strengthening project pipelines and understanding local market challenges, the IFC seeks to unlock funding opportunities for these vital enterprises.
Understanding Upstream Investment
Upstream investment involves addressing persistent barriers that inhibit the successful development of projects in emerging markets. The IFC recognizes that the primary issues often lie not in capital availability but in the lack of bankable projects, with only 20% typically reaching fruition. By deepening project pipelines and improving market conditions, the IFC endeavors to enhance the success rates of private sector initiatives. This approach aims to create more comprehensive project portfolios rather than focusing on isolated ventures, thereby attracting more investment.
Scaling Energy Access Projects
Energy access is a significant challenge in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where many entrepreneurs are attempting to implement small-scale energy solutions. The IFC's program, Scaling Mini-Grids, seeks to streamline these efforts by bundling projects and collaborating with governments to facilitate larger-scale initiatives. This collaboration is crucial for raising adequate capital and mitigating risks associated with energy access projects. By preparing projects that target extensive electrification goals, such as supplying energy to entire communities, the IFC aims to improve both the scale and sustainability of these efforts.
The Role of Private Sector Partnerships
The success of upstream initiatives heavily relies on robust partnerships with both governments and private sector actors. The IFC emphasizes the importance of having private stakeholders co-invest and share in project risks, as this leads to more substantial financial backing and commitment. Without equity partners willing to contribute capital, it becomes challenging for the IFC to justify involvement. By fostering these partnerships and ensuring shared investment interests, the IFC can effectively drive impactful projects forward, particularly in sectors like renewable energy and climate resilience.
Don Purka, Principal Investment Officer for Energy at IFC, describes how IFC's shift to investing "upstream" in emerging markets to address the market conditions that have hindered investments in the past. We talk about energy investments in Africa and the role that IFC has played in catalyzing industries that have crowded in other investors.
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