The Australian Government is strengthening support for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the Industry Growth Program, designed to help innovative businesses overcome challenges in bringing their ideas to market. Recognizing the vital role SMEs and startups play in driving economic growth, the program offers tailored advisory services and matched funding grants to… [Read More]
Business
Driving Finance Towards Greater Investment in Nature and Biodiversity
In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, awareness of nature’s role in sustaining economies has become increasingly prominent. International frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity emphasize the importance of aligning both public and private finance with nature-positive development, ensuring that natural capital is restored at a rate that maintains ecological balance. The UNDP… [Read More]
AND Global Secures $21.4 Million Funding to Drive Financial Inclusion
Leading global fintech company AND Global has successfully raised $21.4 million in a Series B funding round led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of The World Bank Group, and AEON Financial Service, a major Japanese financial group operating in 11 Asian markets. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the company’s… [Read More]
IIM Calcutta Launches ₹50 Crore Fund to Support Cleantech and Sustainability Startups
The IIM-Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) has announced the launch of a dedicated INR 50 crore fund to support early-stage cleantech and sustainability ventures. The fund will be deployed over the next 12 to 18 months to back startups working in areas such as clean energy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and waste-to-value solutions. According to IIMCIP… [Read More]
Mozambique Launches Industry-Focused Training to Empower Youth
The International Labour Organization (ILO), through its IFAD-funded Projecta Jovem Project, has partnered with the Government of Mozambique and the National Institute for Employment Promotion (INEP) to enhance youth employability and practical skills. The initiative provides professional and paid internships in collaboration with private sector companies, already benefiting 432 young people. Recently, ten Technical and… [Read More]
EBRD Supports Green Energy Projects in Earthquake-Affected Türkiye
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of US$150 million (€128 million) to Türkiye’s leading electricity distribution and energy solutions company, Enerjisa Enerji. The funding will be used to rebuild and modernise the electricity network in the earthquake-affected Toroslar region and to develop solar power plants, ensuring both recovery and… [Read More]
UNEP and ICAO Launch $82.5M Initiative to Eliminate Toxic Firefighting Foams in African Airports
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have launched the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project, a major initiative to eliminate toxic firefighting foams at airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The $82.5 million project, supported by a $10 million grant from the Global Environment… [Read More]
Renewable Energy Adoption in Nigeria: Key Insights from a High-Level Roundtable
On July 2, 2025, BudgIT Foundation, through its Natural Resources and Climate Governance team and with support from Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, hosted a high-level roundtable in Abuja on promoting renewable energy adoption. The event brought together government representatives, private sector actors, civil society, and academia to discuss strategies for scaling renewable energy… [Read More]
EBID Secures $40 Million Credit Line from India Exim Bank to Boost African Development Projects
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and India Exim Bank have signed a commercial credit line agreement worth USD 40 million in London. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of EBID, and Mr. Ashok Kumar Vartia, Chief Executive of India Exim Bank’s London Branch. This agreement… [Read More]
£120m Regeneration to Transform Newcastle Brownfield Site into 2,500-Home Neighbourhood
A new £121.8 million funding package has been approved to accelerate the transformation of Quayside West at Forth Yards in central Newcastle. The investment will support essential remediation, groundworks, and infrastructure to overcome long-standing barriers that have left this prime riverside site derelict for decades despite its proximity to Newcastle Central Station and the city… [Read More]
Marubeni Expands Pharmaceutical Business in Africa to Strengthen Strategic Platform
Marubeni Corporation has expanded its pharmaceutical business in Africa by completing an investment in Phillips Healthcare Corporation (Phillips Pharma) on August 4, 2025, making it a Marubeni equity-method affiliate. This investment builds on Marubeni’s prior healthcare initiatives, such as its contribution to a new antimalarial drug development program in Africa and participation in the AAIC… [Read More]
ILO Welcomes Malaysia’s First National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights to Advance Decent Work
Malaysia has adopted its first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR), reinforcing its commitment to eliminating forced labour, promoting fair recruitment, and protecting labour rights in business practices. The International Labour Organization (ILO) welcomed this milestone, highlighting that the inclusion of a labour pillar demonstrates Malaysia’s strong dedication to international labour standards… [Read More]
500 Global and UNDP Launch Innovation Programs to Strengthen Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
On August 18, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, 500 Global, one of the world’s leading venture capital firms, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the launch of three joint founder programs to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative, hosted in Nairobi, is designed to support startups at various stages of growth, offering tailored acceleration… [Read More]
World Water Week 2025: Global Conference on Water, Climate, and Sustainability
World Water Week 2025 will be held from August 24 to 28 in Stockholm, Sweden, with the option for global participants to join online. This year’s theme, “Water for Climate Action,” emphasizes the crucial role of water in addressing climate change and building sustainable futures. The event is organized annually by the Stockholm International Water… [Read More]
Ohio Invests $7.1M in Career Pathways to Prepare Students for High-Demand Jobs
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, along with Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin, announced a $7.1 million investment to strengthen career-connected learning and planning across the state. The funding, launched through the Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications, will be implemented over two years and is designed to help students explore… [Read More]
IFC and OTP Leasing Launch €50M Facility to Drive Ukraine’s Private Sector Growth and Green Energy Projects
IFC and OTP Leasing have launched a €50 million risk-sharing facility (RSF) in Ukraine to expand financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and midcap companies. The initiative targets sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, energy, and logistics, with a strong focus on sustainable energy solutions to enhance the country’s energy resilience. The program also aims… [Read More]
IFC and Japan Launch Tokyo Business Hub to Drive Global Development
IFC and the Government of Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the Tokyo Business Development Hub (Tokyo Hub), aimed at strengthening partnerships with Japanese businesses and mobilizing private capital for global development. The Hub will focus on creating a pipeline of potential projects with Japanese partners, targeting key sectors such as… [Read More]
Skills Development Fund to Train 2,900 Youth and Workers for In-Demand Jobs Amid U.S. Tariffs
The Ontario government is investing more than $5 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to support over 2,900 youth, jobseekers, and apprentices in the Northumberland and Peterborough regions. The funding will help participants prepare for in-demand careers in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, aviation, and other skilled trades. This initiative is part… [Read More]
ILO Launches Global Policy Tracker to Regulate Digital Labour Platforms
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new global policy tracker that offers a comprehensive overview of legislative initiatives on digital labour platforms. This tool is designed to support governments, as well as employers’ and workers’ representatives, by providing information that can guide discussions and help foster decent work in the fast-growing platform economy…. [Read More]
ILO and AFTECH Partner to Expand Financial Access for Dairy Farmers with Digital Innovation
Indonesia’s dairy sector is witnessing increasing opportunities for investment, fueled by rising domestic demand and government initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program. However, local production currently supplies less than a quarter of national consumption, largely from smallholder farmers, highlighting the need for greater financing to expand herds, modernize farms, and strengthen supply chains…. [Read More]
ADB and UN Collaborate to Launch Climate Insurance for Businesses in Fiji
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are joining forces to establish an insurance market tailored for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji. These businesses, which play a major role in the country’s economy, face increasing risks from extreme weather events. The… [Read More]
MDA Invests $560K+ to Strengthen Meat Processing Workforce and Education
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded over $560,000 in grants to enhance workforce development and hands-on training in meat processing across the state. This funding is distributed through two programs: the Meat Processing Train and Retain Grant program and the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant program,… [Read More]
Shivalik Small Finance Bank Secures INR 100 Crore Equity Funding Led by SMBC Asia Rising Fund, Japan
Shivalik Small Finance Bank, India’s first bank to transition from an urban cooperative bank, has successfully raised INR 100 crore in equity capital. The funding round was led by SMBC Asia Rising Fund, the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), with participation from existing investors including Accel, Quona Capital, Lightspeed, and… [Read More]
