NEWS, VIEWS AND EVENTS

MOBILIST provides seed funding to launch a new L&G African Government Bond ETF 

MOBILIST has supported the launch of a new Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) designed to broaden institutional investment in African sovereign debt markets. Developed with Legal & General Asset Management (L&G), the fund is the latest step in MOBILIST's effort to build the market infrastructure needed to attract larger pools of private capital into African economies. This is the first time a UK government programme has seeded an ETF. By helping the fund launch at a credible initial size, MOBILIST is demonstrating how development finance can work with major asset managers and public markets to create investable products capable of mobilising capital at scale.

MOBILIST INVESTEE GREEN GUARANTEE COMPANY CLOSES FIRST CLIMATE TRANSACTIONS

The Green Guarantee Company (GGC) has closed its first two transactions, using initial capital from MOBILIST and other shareholders to mobilise $US70 million for projects expected to provide access to clean energy for over 4.6 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. MOBILIST provided technical assistance funding to support the larger of these two transactions – a green bond to be listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

UK investment supports World Bank Group strategy to mobilise private capital through capital markets

MOBILIST made a second equity investment in the World Bank Group’s Emerging Market Securitisation Programme (EMSP), backing a model designed to mobilise private capital into emerging markets through publicly listed instruments on the London Stock Exchange (LSEG). Through the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group has closed its second securitisation transaction under the  EMSP.

Spearhead Africa Asset Management Lists Kenya’s First Infrastructure Fund, Mobilising Long‑Term Local Capital for Development

MOBILIST made an anchor investment in the listing of the Spearhead Africa Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). SAIF is the first infrastructure fund to list on the NSE. By making listed infrastructure debt investment accessible to all investors for the first time, the listing is creating a new asset class in the Kenyan capital market and boosting investment in infrastructure crucial to the region’s growth.

Pakistan lists its first green bond after MOBILIST support

Technical assistance from MOBILIST has contributed to a significant milestone in the development of Pakistan’s debt capital markets: the successful listing of the country’s first-ever PKR-denominated Green Bond on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Parwaaz Financial Services Limited (PFSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Karandaaz Pakistan, marked the listing of its PFSL Green Action Bond through a Gong Ceremony held in Islamabad.

MOBILIST invests in Kenyan REIT in NSE’s first USD-listing

MOBILIST played a key role in the successful listing of the Africa Logistics Properties Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (ALP REIT) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), supporting the development of Kenya’s capital market by expanding its base of investible assets. ALP REIT’s listing is the first on the NSE in recent years and also the first US dollar-denominated security to list on the exchange, offering Kenyans the opportunity to invest in US dollars while still investing in Kenya. 

New Evaluation Opportunity: Independent Formative Evaluation of the UK’s MOBILIST Programme

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is commissioning an independent formative evaluation of the MOBILIST programme, which aims to mobilise institutional capital for sustainable development and climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) through public markets.

NEW RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Unlocking Capital Through MDB Balance Sheet Recycling and Risk Transfer

MOBILIST, in collaboration with SECO, is launching a research initiative on MDB balance sheet recycling and risk-transfer mechanisms and is seeking a supplier to deliver this work. The study will examine how securitisation and other balance-sheet optimisation tools used in developed markets can inform approaches to scaling private capital mobilisation in emerging and developing economies. Jointly funded by FCDO and SECO, the research will explore how MDBs can expand the use of these structures to unlock lending capacity and attract institutional investment for sustainable development and climate finance.

MOBILIST invests in water utility IPO in the Philippines

MOBILIST acted as a cornerstone investor in the initial public offering (IPO) of Maynilad Water Services on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). Raising $590 million, the IPO is the second largest ever achieved on the PSE and mobilises private investment for critical water infrastructure in Manila.

MOBILIST facilitates secondary sale of listed shares in InfraCredit

MOBILIST has successfully traded its investment in Nigerian infrastructure credit guarantee company InfraCredit to five Nigerian pension funds, thereby helping to mobilise more local institutional investment toward infrastructure development critical to the country’s growth.

MOBILIST invests in breakthrough IFC securitisation programme

 A vital equity investment from MOBILIST represents a breakthrough in mobilising private capital for development by using publicly listed securities to enable private sector investors to invest in multilateral development bank (MDB) assets.

Norway extends support to MOBILIST to unlock development finance through listed markets

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) has renewed its support to the United Kingdom’s MOBILIST programme, committing NOK40 million (£2,9 million) over the next three years to help unlock greater private capital investment in emerging markets through products publicly listed on stock exchanges.

OPPORTUNITY TO TENDER: Capital Market Development in Southeast Asia

FCDO seeks a supplier to deliver research on the state of capital markets in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The research will identify opportunities for further capital market development, with a focus on public capital markets, and propose methods for development finance entities to deliver these.

UK launches Coalition to champion using public markets for development finance

The United Kingdom (UK), partnering with the Government of the Philippines and others, is championing the use of public markets to mobilise development and climate finance at the scale needed to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UK announced the launch of a new Sevilla Platform for Action (SPA) initiative on ‘Public Markets Mobilisation for Development’, which will establish the ‘EMDE Public Markets Coalition’ during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4)

Mobilist partners with Amundi on gender bond framework for emerging markets

MOBILIST is providing technical assistance funding to support further development and strengthening of a framework for investing in emerging market sovereign and corporate bonds that demonstrate strong or improving gender practices.

Webinar: MOBILIST challenges investors to think differently about listed markets in EMDEs

MOBILIST and the Impact Investing Institute co-hosted a webinar on Investing with Impact in EMDE Public Markets: The Importance of Additionality, sharing the findings of MOBILIST's latest research. The research and discussion argue that investors can generate significant and additional impact through listed instruments, especially when investing in EMDEs.

OPPORTUNITY TO TENDER: Research on Capital Mobilisation through Guarantees

FCDO is seeking a supplier to deliver primary research on guarantees as part of the MOBILIST programme, in collaboration with SECO. This research will explore how the deployment of guarantee products in developed financial markets, which have mobilised institutional investors into various types of assets, can provide actionable insights for their potential use and adoption in developing countries.

UK-backed InfraCredit lists on NASD to raise $17.7 million for infrastructure development

The UK government’s MOBILIST programme is investing NGN9.5 billion ($6 million) in InfraCredit, Nigeria’s first and only domestic credit guarantor, in support of the company’s listing on Nigeria’s NASD OTC Exchange Plc (NASD). The total listing is valued at NGN 64 billion ($41 million), with InfraCredit raising NGN 27 billion ($17.7 million) in new equity.

MOBILIST invests in ImpactA Global’s fund aimed at tackling critical infrastructure deficit in emerging markets

ImpactA Global, a women-led Emerging Markets (‘EMs’) infrastructure debt investor, has raised over $200m in public and private capital commitments for its Fund which seeks to tackle the critical infrastructure deficit in EMs. Existing investor L&G, who committed up to $100m to the firm in October 2023, is joined by new commitments from UK government programme, MOBILIST; the private sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, IDB Invest; and other private investors.

MOBILIST supports creation of Pakistan’s first listed green bond

MOBILIST has supported the launch of the Parwaaz Green Action Bond - the first Green Bond to be listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and to be denominated in Pakistani rupee. The programme provided technical assistance funding to Parwaaz Financial Services Ltd (PFSL), a subsidiary of Karandaaz Pakistan, to support the development of the bond.

INVITATION TO TENDER: Research on the importance of secondary markets for increasing the pace of private investment in EMDEs

MOBILIST has published a Request for Proposal (RFP) which relates to the Analysis of Secondary market strategies in development finance. The knowledge gap identified for this piece of research relates to the importance of secondary markets for increasing the pace of private investment in EMDEs, and thereby increasing the contributions of private investment towards sustainable development objectives.

MOBILIST set to invest a further £100M in emerging markets

The UK’s Minister of State for Development, Anneliese Dodds, announced up to £100 million for MOBILIST. The funding will enable MOBILIST to catalyse between £400m and £600m of new investments in emerging markets that focus on addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

New Guides will facilitate access to financing for Mexican SMEs through the securities market

Two new handbooks focusing on corporate debt issuance and the simplified issuance of securities will enable Mexican SMEs to take full advantage of recent changes in regulation and use listed securities to access the capital they need to grow.

Public markets are key to mobilising climate finance in developing countries

The potential of public markets was highlighted at the ‘Public Markets for Public Good’ event hosted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) MOBILIST programme at COP29. Panellists from the FCDO, British International Investment, Aviva, and the Asian Development Bank came together to discuss how to drive more investment in climate action in EMDEs from institutional investors, including through public markets.

MOBILIST and Philippine Stock Exchange host events to support sustainable development through new listings

MOBILIST and the Philippine Stock Exchange and MOBILIST hosted events to bolster the Philippines’ capital markets, attract foreign investment, and support sustainable development through public offerings.

MOBILIST announces partnership with Nairobi Securities Exchange

MOBILIST is partnering with the Nairobi Securities Exchange to facilitate greater investment toward sustainable development in Kenya via the listed market.

UK backing enables new Africa-focused climate fund to achieve US$200m first close

MOBILIST has invested in the Helios Climate, Energy Access, and Resilience (CLEAR) Fund. CLEAR raised approximately US$200 million in its first close for investment in African businesses focused on climate mitigation and adaptation. The Fund, managed by Helios Investment Partners, intends to become the largest Africa-focused climate fund with a target size of US$400 million.

Capital recycling critical to Africa’s $193 billion renewable energy opportunity

New research from global consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, commissioned by Revego Fund Managers and MOBILIST, shows that the size of sub-Saharan Africa’s investment opportunity in renewable energy represents a potential US$193-billion by 2031. However, realising this potential will require access to innovative funding models and a robust secondary finance market to recycle and widen the available capital pool.

MOBILIST hosts launch of the iBoxx LSF USD African Sovereigns Index

MOBILIST hosted the launch of the iBoxx LSF USD African Sovereigns Index. The index currently tracks the performance of a group of 17 African Sovereign issuers that reflect the universe of Eurobonds that the LSF accepts as collateral in the framework of repo transactions.

MOBILIST invests in renewable energy IPO in the Philippines

MOBILIST is supporting the Philippines in its transition to renewable energy through an investment in the initial public offering (IPO) of Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) on The Philippine Stock Exchange.

MOBILIST Underlines Commitment to Nigeria’s Capital Market for Sustainable Development

The UK underlined its commitment to work with Nigeria to enable private capital mobilisation at scale at two MOBILIST events in Lagos.

MOBILIST announces collaboration with Bursa Malaysia

MOBILIST is collaborating with Bursa Malaysia to to enable greater investment in supporting the energy transition and advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Malaysia.

MOBILIST and B3 highlight the potential of public markets for sustainable finance in Brazil

MOBILIST and B3 The Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão) hosted two events in Sao Paulo to bring together market participants, policymakers, and development finance specialists to accelerate capital mobilisation for sustainable development via public markets.

MOBILIST supports the successful IPO of MSME-focused Thai Credit Bank

MOBILIST is advancing inclusive economic growth and local capital market development in Thailand through its catalytic participation in the successful listing of Thai Credit Bank on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). MOBILIST’s participation in this IPO sets an important precedent for using catalytic capital to facilitate exit-mobilisation for DFIs by using listed vehicles

Launch of Global Guarantee Company to mobilise billions in climate finance

MOBILIST has made an anchor investment in The Green Guarantee Company (GGC), the world’s first climate-focused guarantee company. GGC will use guarantees to help borrowers in developing countries improve their credit ratings to above investment grade to gain access to global capital markets and is set to unlock billions in climate finance.

Request for Proposal: Design Research on Index Construction

Opportunity to submit a proposal to design/construct a pilot investment index to capture opportunities for growth and diversification by investing in emerging markets and developing economies.

Invitation to Tender: Research on Development Finance and their Market Demonstration Effects

Opportunity to submit a Tender for the Review of development finance investments and strategies and their demonstration effect on second-mover transactions and market-shaping impacts.

COP28: MOBILIST Highlights Need for Public Markets to Form Part of Climate Finance Solutions

As discussions at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) turn to finance, MOBILIST is proud to be featured among investors and programmes using innovative new vehicles to drive the much-needed mobilisation of commercial capital to address climate change, including adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Call for Consultancy Proposals: MEL Technical Assistance for Review of Proceeds Policy

Opportunity to provide consultancy support on the review of an infrastructure debt securitisation platform’s Allocation of Proceeds Policy.

MOBILIST makes catalytic equity investment in infrastructure debt securitisation transaction sponsored by Singapore-based Bayfront Infrastructure Management

MOBILIST's new investment represents a seminal equity investment by a development finance actor in a transaction to mobilise capital at scale to support climate transition.

Nigerian Exchange (NGX) partners with the UK government’s MOBILIST programme

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced a new partnership between Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the UK government’s MOBILIST programme during a visit to the Exchange in Lagos.

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. partners with the UK Government’s MOBILIST programme

The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) will partner with Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures (MOBILIST) to enable greater investment in sustainable development in the Philippines via products listed on the exchange.

Mexican stock exchange, BIVA partners with MOBILIST to promote investment in sustainability

Bolsa Institucional de Valores (BIVA) announced a partnership with the flagship UK government programme, Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures (MOBILIST), to fuel greater investment in climate action and other sustainable development goals through products listed on BIVA’s stock exchange.

Taking Development Finance Public

The application of development finance is an essential tool in the global toolkit to achieve both the 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the ‘climate transition.’ 

Resetting the ESG Investment Paradigm to Support Emerging Markets & Developing Economies (EMDEs)

MOBILIST and Fitch Solutions invite you to join them for the "Resetting the ESG Investment Paradigm to Support Emerging Markets & Developing Economies (EMDEs)" webinar.

How public markets can unlock emerging and frontier economy opportunities

At the end of September 2022, MOBILIST brought together a global panel of experts to reflect on pioneering public market product structures and strategies needed to channel more capital into productive investment in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDE). The event drew from panellist insights, forthcoming MOBILIST research, and findings from the MOBILIST product portfolio and pipeline.

MOBILIST: exploring exit-mobilisation opportunities in Africa at Uxolo Global 2022

In October this year, MOBILIST convened global experts at the Uxolo impact investment conference in The Hague to discuss insights from our research examining opportunities for Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to mobilise capital through exits to institutional investors.

MOBILIST partners with the Norwegian Agency of Development Cooperation (Norad) on public market mobilisation

Call for consultancy proposals: optimisation of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)

Call for research proposals: the impact of developed market policy and regulation on emerging and frontier public market flows, and the limited evidence of emerging and frontier market perspectives shaping these policies and regulations

How Public Markets Can Unlock Emerging and Frontier Market Opportunities

At This MOBILIST Event, Pioneering Issuers, Investors and Intermediaries Discussed How to Harness Different Listed Product Structures and Strategies to Deliver Returns and Development Impact

MOBILIST Set to Invest in African Climate Investment Fund

Alongside Helios Investment Partners and InfraCo Africa, MOBILIST is proud to announce that it is making a $7m investment in CLEAR Fund. CLEAR will invest in and develop sustainable, climate-aligned companies and assets to accelerate the African continent's decarbonisation and climate resilience while delivering returns for investors.

MOBILIST Spotlights Public Markets’ Role in Financing the Global Goals at UN’s High-Level Political Forum

UK and Kenyan governments introduce MOBILIST to 80 nations' UN Ambassadors and representatives and spotlight the role of public markets and listed products in financing the UN's Global Goals.

Driving ESG Investments into Emerging Markets: Roadblocks and Solutions

The Impact Investing Institute hosted this event to launch new MOBILIST research about how institutional capital allocation strategies can direct capital away from emerging and frontier markets.

B3 and the UK Government’s MOBILIST Programme to Mobilise Funding Towards the Sustainable Development Goals

To help unlock the potential of public capital markets for sustainable finance, B3 has struck a formal partnership with the UK government’s flagship MOBILIST programme.

SGX Group and UK Government’s Sustainable Development Investment Programme Partner to Mobilise Public Capital for Emerging Markets

Singapore Exchange Group (SGX Group) has partnered with MOBILIST, a flagship programme of the UK government’s Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), with the goal of mobilising public capital markets to support sustainable environmental, social and economic development in Asia.

MOBILIST Catalyses Successful ThomasLloyd Energy Impact Trust plc IPO

With financial backing from the UK government, the ThomasLloyd Energy Impact Trust provides the first-ever dedicated offering on the London Stock Exchange to provide direct access to sustainable energy infrastructure in fast-growing and emerging economies in Asia.

Glasgow COP26: MOBILIST Briefing on Catalysing Institutional Capital for Climate Finance and the Global Goals

The MOBILIST Infrastructure Competition Update Event was an opportunity to hear directly from the financial institutions that, at the time, were participating in the advanced stage of the MOBILIST Competition.

Glasgow COP Press Release

Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures (MOBILIST), the UK’s flagship programme to mobilise large-scale investment through publicly listed markets, received a £66m funding boost today at COP26 in Glasgow.

FCDO COP Finance Day on the MOBILIST Infrastructure Competition: A Partnership to Listings

The FCDO invites investment and policy communities to discuss progress on mobilising investment in emerging and developing countries, on 3 November 2021.