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.