Neil Gregory
@neilgregory.bsky.social
Thought Leader - Impact Investing, Mobilizing Private Capital for Development, Development Finance Institutions
Useful analysis of why US pension funds invest less than 1% of their funds in Africa. Lack of familiarity, elevated risk perceptions, and lack of high return assets deter bigger allocations.
cesa.rc.iseg.ulisboa.pt/news/cesa-is...
cesa.rc.iseg.ulisboa.pt/news/cesa-is...
Working Paper analyses the low level of US investment in Africa
Working Paper by Daniel Preston investigates the reasons behind the low level of investment by US pension funds in African entities
cesa.rc.iseg.ulisboa.pt
October 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Useful analysis of why US pension funds invest less than 1% of their funds in Africa. Lack of familiarity, elevated risk perceptions, and lack of high return assets deter bigger allocations.
cesa.rc.iseg.ulisboa.pt/news/cesa-is...
cesa.rc.iseg.ulisboa.pt/news/cesa-is...
How can DFIs mobilize private capital at scale? My new report (with Jorge Alarcon) summarizes our research for BII on tools and structures that DFIs can deploy to originate, pool, share and de-risk assets for private investors. www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insi...
How can MDBs and DFIs scale private capital mobilisation? - British International Investment
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and delivering meaningful climate action requires trillions in investment – far beyond what public finance...
www.bii.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 1:07 PM
How can DFIs mobilize private capital at scale? My new report (with Jorge Alarcon) summarizes our research for BII on tools and structures that DFIs can deploy to originate, pool, share and de-risk assets for private investors. www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insi...
Productive large firms are key to job creation, exports and productivity growth in EMDEs. In high income countries, large firms can access capital markets to finance their growth - DFIs need to help them do so in EMDEs too. Useful report from BII on how to do so.
www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insi...
www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insi...
A mobilisation machine: International corporate bonds in sub-Saharan Africa - British International Investment
Foreign investment in African economies is hampered by a mismatch between what the asset managers that control the largest pools...
www.bii.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Productive large firms are key to job creation, exports and productivity growth in EMDEs. In high income countries, large firms can access capital markets to finance their growth - DFIs need to help them do so in EMDEs too. Useful report from BII on how to do so.
www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insi...
www.bii.co.uk/en/news-insi...
Great insights from Dirk on how thinking about growth, investment , trade and DFIs has evolved , with help from ODI Global experts like Dirk odi.org/en/insights/...
Shaping development debates: my 25-year journey at ODI Global
Dirk Willem te Velde reflects on his 25-year journey at ODI Global, highlighting shifts in development debates, economic transformation, trade, and finance. He underscores the evolving challenges and ...
odi.org
October 4, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Great insights from Dirk on how thinking about growth, investment , trade and DFIs has evolved , with help from ODI Global experts like Dirk odi.org/en/insights/...
Great to see IFC mobilize $500m of private capital by warehousing and securitizing loans. An important addition to the mobilization toolkit. Hopefully this can be expanded in future tranches to include loans from other DFIs.
World Bank seeks to boost firepower by offloading loan risk to investors on.ft.com/48mWh9p
World Bank seeks to boost firepower by offloading loan risk to investors
Maiden securitisation by group’s corporate lending arm is planned to be first of many, says president
on.ft.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Great to see IFC mobilize $500m of private capital by warehousing and securitizing loans. An important addition to the mobilization toolkit. Hopefully this can be expanded in future tranches to include loans from other DFIs.
Great explanation of why large, formal firms are needed to drive increased productivity, exports and job creation. www.africanistperspective.com/p/there-will...
There will be no economic takeoff in Africa without lots of large (private sector) firms
On why African states’ jobs agenda must focus on catalyzing firm growth (and not disorganized investments in micro-entrepreneurship)
www.africanistperspective.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Great explanation of why large, formal firms are needed to drive increased productivity, exports and job creation. www.africanistperspective.com/p/there-will...
Good observations on what comes next for development cooperation. url:https://www.cgdev.org/publication/end-development-cooperation?utm_source=weekly&utm_medium=cgd_email&utm_campaign=weekly_20250722
August 20, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Good observations on what comes next for development cooperation. url:https://www.cgdev.org/publication/end-development-cooperation?utm_source=weekly&utm_medium=cgd_email&utm_campaign=weekly_20250722
Impact investors, like DFIs and MDBs, realize that we need to move from bespoke transactions to market making and scalable product development, if we are to move capital to where it is needed at the scale needed. impactalpha.com/calvert-impa...
Calvert Impact’s market-shaping strategy for the future of impact
Impact investing needs to move from doing deals to making markets; from building funds to building market shaping institutions, says Jenn Pryce of Calvert Impact.
impactalpha.com
August 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Impact investors, like DFIs and MDBs, realize that we need to move from bespoke transactions to market making and scalable product development, if we are to move capital to where it is needed at the scale needed. impactalpha.com/calvert-impa...
In today's resource constrained environment, here are five low cost, high impact actions that European governments can take now to support increased private capital flows to low and middle income countries. odi.org/en/insights/...
Five ways European governments can support greater private capital mobilisation to low- and middle-income countries
Ahead of FFD4 Neil Gregory offers five ways European governments can support greater private capital mobilisation to low- and middle- income countries.
odi.org
June 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
In today's resource constrained environment, here are five low cost, high impact actions that European governments can take now to support increased private capital flows to low and middle income countries. odi.org/en/insights/...
Great set of articles on the future role of DFIs. www.proparco.fr/en/ressource...
Private Sector & Development #43 - European development finance institutions : Strategic players in changing times
Proparco is publishing the 43rd edition of its Private Sector & Development magazine, focused on the action of European development finance institutions (DFIs). In a world dominated by economic uncert...
www.proparco.fr
May 30, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Great set of articles on the future role of DFIs. www.proparco.fr/en/ressource...
Blended finance can expand the reach of private finance, but can also distort markets if overused. But tools are emerging to calibrate how much concessionality to provide. I identify four promising approaches in my latest piece for ImpactAlpha.
impactalpha.com/blended-fina...
impactalpha.com/blended-fina...
Four ways development banks are calibrating blended finance concessionality
Uncover the importance of concessionality in financing socially valuable investments while promoting private investment.
impactalpha.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Blended finance can expand the reach of private finance, but can also distort markets if overused. But tools are emerging to calibrate how much concessionality to provide. I identify four promising approaches in my latest piece for ImpactAlpha.
impactalpha.com/blended-fina...
impactalpha.com/blended-fina...
I'll be presenting our findings, with Nerea Craviotto, on how DFIs can create platforms and ventures which scale up their impact on 6 June. Register at the link below.
odi.org/en/events/df...
odi.org/en/events/df...
DFI sponsorship of new platforms and ventures: why and how?
This seminar will explore how Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are addressing development gaps by initiating their own commercial ventures.
odi.org
May 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I'll be presenting our findings, with Nerea Craviotto, on how DFIs can create platforms and ventures which scale up their impact on 6 June. Register at the link below.
odi.org/en/events/df...
odi.org/en/events/df...
That’s a wrap on another semester of my sustainable finance and impact investing course at #SAIS. Thanks to our stellar guest speakers Sam Duncan, Mike Lubrano, Eric Rice, Diane Damskey, James Purcell, Kusi Hornberger, Vikram Widge, Sam Power, Bianca Getzel, Wasim Tahir, Michelle Lee, Joy Ding.
April 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
That’s a wrap on another semester of my sustainable finance and impact investing course at #SAIS. Thanks to our stellar guest speakers Sam Duncan, Mike Lubrano, Eric Rice, Diane Damskey, James Purcell, Kusi Hornberger, Vikram Widge, Sam Power, Bianca Getzel, Wasim Tahir, Michelle Lee, Joy Ding.
Congratulations to #ODIGlobal on launching the Center for Private Finance for Development today. Looking forward to contributing to this important research agenda.
April 23, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Congratulations to #ODIGlobal on launching the Center for Private Finance for Development today. Looking forward to contributing to this important research agenda.
Glad to be joining #ODIGlobal events at the Spring Meetings. Critical to keep the focus on practical steps to advance sustainable development.
April 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Glad to be joining #ODIGlobal events at the Spring Meetings. Critical to keep the focus on practical steps to advance sustainable development.
Reposted by Neil Gregory
Development finance institutions can spur more socially beneficial investment by actively founding new commercial enterprises.
@hanspeterlankes.bsky.social & @britishintinv.bsky.social's Leslie Maasdorp share key findings from our research in a new piece for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social.
@hanspeterlankes.bsky.social & @britishintinv.bsky.social's Leslie Maasdorp share key findings from our research in a new piece for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social.
Development Finance Needs an Entrepreneurial Mindset | by Leslie Maasdorp & Hans Peter Lankes - Project Syndicate
Leslie Maasdorp & Hans Peter Lankes think public institutions can spur more private investment by starting their own commercial ventures.
www.project-syndicate.org
April 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Development finance institutions can spur more socially beneficial investment by actively founding new commercial enterprises.
@hanspeterlankes.bsky.social & @britishintinv.bsky.social's Leslie Maasdorp share key findings from our research in a new piece for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social.
@hanspeterlankes.bsky.social & @britishintinv.bsky.social's Leslie Maasdorp share key findings from our research in a new piece for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social.
I agree with Charles Kenny that DFIs should leverage their balance sheets better, but not that they should be cash cows for aid programs. DFIs should use their profits to grow their business and take more risk, not pay dividends.
April 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I agree with Charles Kenny that DFIs should leverage their balance sheets better, but not that they should be cash cows for aid programs. DFIs should use their profits to grow their business and take more risk, not pay dividends.
Good agenda from new CEO Leslie Maasdorp for scaling up private capital mobilization at BII www.devex.com/news/a-labor...
'A laboratory of ideas': New CEO Maasdorp on his priorities for BII
Climate finance, private sector mobilization, greater cooperation, and innovation are top objectives as Leslie Maasdorp leads the DFI through a world at a crossroads.
www.devex.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Good agenda from new CEO Leslie Maasdorp for scaling up private capital mobilization at BII www.devex.com/news/a-labor...
DFIs can play a key role in originating, de-risking and sharing EMDE assets with private investors.
impactalpha.com/climate-and-...
impactalpha.com/climate-and-...
Climate and development challenges spur development finance institutions to unlock private capital
Another month, another climate record smashed. This time, it is the warmest January ever recorded. Even climate scientists are mystified about the extent ...
impactalpha.com
March 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
DFIs can play a key role in originating, de-risking and sharing EMDE assets with private investors.
impactalpha.com/climate-and-...
impactalpha.com/climate-and-...
MDB and DFI support for private sector development is limited by the availability of firms and projects to invest in. But what if DFIs took the lead in creating new ventures and platforms to develop investible projects? 12 BII and Norfund cases show the potential.
odi.org/en/publicati...
odi.org/en/publicati...
DFI sponsorship of new platforms and ventures: why and how?
By sponsoring new ventures, Development finance institutions (DFIs) can scale up their development impact and reach, particularly in difficult markets, as well as their mobilisation of private capital...
odi.org
March 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
MDB and DFI support for private sector development is limited by the availability of firms and projects to invest in. But what if DFIs took the lead in creating new ventures and platforms to develop investible projects? 12 BII and Norfund cases show the potential.
odi.org/en/publicati...
odi.org/en/publicati...
$1 trillion pa of private finance needed to support development and climate investments in EMDEs, but private capital flows have been falling since FfD3. www.brookings.edu/articles/fou...
Four priorities for success at the Sevilla Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development
Ahead of FfD4, Homi Kharas and Mahmoud Mohieldin call for shifting focus from aid volume to the broader roles of DFIs. They present four elements for rethinking development finance and ensuring confer...
www.brookings.edu
February 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
$1 trillion pa of private finance needed to support development and climate investments in EMDEs, but private capital flows have been falling since FfD3. www.brookings.edu/articles/fou...
Good agenda for DFIs to scale up mobilization. Glad to be working with BII to study various mobilization approaches.
“Unless the world unlocks the vast pools of capital that exist in pension funds, life insurers and other large institutions, we won’t get close to getting the job done," argues Leslie Maasdorp of @britishintinv.bsky.social.
impactalpha.com/the-brief-at...
impactalpha.com/the-brief-at...
The Brief: At British International Investment, new chief looks to unlock private capital
Greetings Agents of Impact! In today’s Brief: Featured: Development Finance Climate and development challenges spur development finance institutions to unlock private capital. Last ...
impactalpha.com
February 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Good agenda for DFIs to scale up mobilization. Glad to be working with BII to study various mobilization approaches.
Good analysis of where we go from here on the much derided Billions to Trillions agenda. url:https://www.cgdev.org/blog/mdb-role-billions-trillions-were-we-delusional?utm_campaign=event_mdb_dfi_market_impact&utm_medium=cgd_email&utm_source=event_email
February 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Good analysis of where we go from here on the much derided Billions to Trillions agenda. url:https://www.cgdev.org/blog/mdb-role-billions-trillions-were-we-delusional?utm_campaign=event_mdb_dfi_market_impact&utm_medium=cgd_email&utm_source=event_email
Reposted by Neil Gregory
The assault on USAID is a wake-up call for the rest of the world | Opinion
https://www.ft.com/content/ed29f87a-91c2-49a0-a69b-942821bd178b
https://www.ft.com/content/ed29f87a-91c2-49a0-a69b-942821bd178b
The assault on USAID is a wake-up call for the rest of the world | Opinion
Even before the Trump administration’s slash and burn approach, international assistance was ripe for a rethink
www.ft.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The assault on USAID is a wake-up call for the rest of the world | Opinion
https://www.ft.com/content/ed29f87a-91c2-49a0-a69b-942821bd178b
https://www.ft.com/content/ed29f87a-91c2-49a0-a69b-942821bd178b
Reposted by Neil Gregory
Interested in impact investing, sustainable investing, climate finance, social finance, community development finance, welcome to the conversation? Check out the group of leaders and organizations in this #impinv starter pack. #socfin #econdev #ESG
go.bsky.app/P57DXzQ
go.bsky.app/P57DXzQ
January 16, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Interested in impact investing, sustainable investing, climate finance, social finance, community development finance, welcome to the conversation? Check out the group of leaders and organizations in this #impinv starter pack. #socfin #econdev #ESG
go.bsky.app/P57DXzQ
go.bsky.app/P57DXzQ