ZOOM: Impact investing in developing countries

Impact investing is an internationally growing business, driven by investors who are not (solely) concerned about the financial return on their capital, but wish to have an impact on society as well. The King Baudouin Foundation aims to empower both individuals and organisations and therefore keeps up to date with innovative trends. In 2016 and 2018 it carried out the first mapping exercise on Belgian impact investors in developing countries. A new survey entitled ‘Belgian impact investment for development’, carried out by iPropeller, is now building on this, with figures available for the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years.On the basis of a survey and interviews involving 13 identified investors, the study outlines the characteristics, trends and challenges facing this sector. This is intended to make the investors more visible to policymakers and the general public, and to feed the debate on this leverage for achieving SDG's.