Advancing Sustainable Finance for Women in Developing Countries

The DFC Capstone group, post midterms, was determined to present the client with a cross section of project evaluation and monitoring metrics which could be used in conjunction with the 2X criteria (currently employed) to ensure that investments were not limited by a rigid framework but were as impactful as possible within the target developing economy. To achieve this, the Capstone team pulled data from more than 100 companies: DFIs, funds as well as VC backed startups, to map trends in women owned/ led businesses over the last decade. After identifying 4 intervening points, the Capstone team utilized Harvey Balls to analyse which bucket DFC was currently in and other DFIs in this space. This also helped the team map the best practices both in terms of toolkits used, and metrics employed from the Gates foundation to ADB to assess how things are currently done and these were summarised for the client. The three main areas identified for improvement were: screening in and out of the workplace as well as implementation of funding. The team was aware that COVID impact was also heavier on feminised sectors and recommendations were put forth on how DFC can access and revive these sectors. For public markets,  the team recommended that DFC take on an underwriting role to borrow money to help businesses which cannot easily access this capital, and this gender bond be measured like a traditional bond.