Abidjan: Conference on “Impact Investing”
Conference organized by the “Impact Investing” Chair of Ferdi in collaboration with the International University of Côte d’Ivoire.
The Impact Investing Chair of Ferdi aims to conduct research on the impact investing sector in Africa, addressing a need for increased knowledge. As its initial mission, the Chair undertook the task of mapping this sector based on a definition of impact investing grounded in multiple criteria. This effort identified over 250 impact investors operating on the continent.
To share its initial findings and officially launch the Impact Investing Chair, Ferdi is organizing a roundtable bringing together key players in impact investing in Africa. This event will present the Chair’s mapping and its key insights. It will also provide an opportunity for researchers and impact investing professionals to meet and discuss the structuring and development of impact investing in Africa (particularly in Francophone countries). Discussions will focus on the challenges and the importance of this sector for the continent’s development.
The conference aims to enrich debates on current topics related to impact investing in Africa and to formulate recommendations on ways to develop this sector. It will also seek to identify challenges that will shape the Chair’s agenda, positioning it as a key player in analyzing the mechanisms of this sector in Africa.
Program
8:30-9:00: Introduction
9:00-9:30: Mapping of Impact Investing in Africa
This session will present the mapping of impact investing and the associated report created by the Impact Investing Chair of Ferdi. Drawing on scientific literature on impact investing, the Chair defined several criteria for classifying investors as impact investors. Using this definition, over 250 investors operating on the continent were identified. This session will discuss these aspects and highlight key findings about impact investors in Africa.
9:30-11:30: Roundtable on the Transformations in Impact Investing: Issues and Evolution
Impact investing is a rapidly growing sector, and Africa is no exception. The sector on the continent is also marked by various developments, such as the arrival of new players. These trends could significantly transform impact investing in Africa. The objective of this session is to discuss the main current trends and their possible consequences.
12:00-13:00: Roundtable on Measuring Impact: Contributions of Research
The economic, social, and environmental impact and its measurement are central concerns for impact investors. There is a rich academic literature on best practices for measuring impact. However, investors’ practices often diverge significantly from these tools. This roundtable aims to bridge these two worlds to identify possible improvements in current impact measurement practices by investors.
13:00-13:15: Closing Remarks
Organizer
The Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (Ferdi) is a think tank with the mission to influence international development debates by leveraging research results.
Non-profit and independent, Ferdi provides a privileged space for reflection and exchange, welcoming expertise from both the Global North and South. It plays a key advocacy role for vulnerable countries in shaping the international development finance architecture and offers expertise in defining public policies for sustainable and inclusive development.
Ferdi contributes to the evolution of ideas on important and diverse topics through organizing events, seminars, and training sessions, publishing materials, and creating innovative indicators. These topics include criteria for geographical allocation of aid, addressing economic vulnerability and state fragility, the effectiveness of international policies for the least developed countries, and ways to reconcile trade policies, climate, and environmental protection.
Ferdi’s publications benefit from French state support managed by the ANR as part of the “France 2030” investment plan under the reference “ANR-16-IDEX-0001.”
History
The Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (Ferdi) was established in 2003 at the initiative of the Center for Studies and Research on International Development (Cerdi), the leading French research center in this field. Cerdi is Ferdi’s primary scientific partner. Patrick Guillaumont is the founding president of Ferdi.
Activities
- Research work divided into 8 thematic programs
- Publication of books, reports, working papers, and brief notes in French and English
- Publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals
- Organization of conferences and workshops
- Participation in international conferences
- Recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders in international development (United Nations, European Commission, OECD, World Bank, regional development banks, development agencies, etc.)
- Organization of training sessions under the Institute of Advanced Studies in Sustainable Development
Missions
- Promote excellence in French-language research in international development economics;
- Inform the decisions of public and private actors on development;
- Participate in the training and capacity building of civil servants and officials in developing countries.
