The global impact landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the urgent need to address climate change, social inequality, and sustainable economic development. As capital markets increasingly integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, impact investing has transitioned from a niche practice to a mainstream investment strategy. Governments, financial institutions, and private investors are aligning their capital with measurable social and environmental outcomes, fostering a more inclusive impact economy.
This report is intended to inform investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders by providing actionable insights to accelerate capital deployment and drive systemic change. It highlights how impact investing is evolving across diverse country contexts - not only in developed markets, but also in emerging and developing economies, where local and international actors are co-creating ecosystems. Rather than ranking ecosystems or generating a scoreboard, the report aims to serve as an ecosystem learning tool and to build confidence in local actors and initiatives.
Represented by Southern Africa Regional Head Ercilia Mata Ubisse, ANDE will contribute data-driven insights and grassroots perspectives to strengthen global startup and MSME ecosystems through the G20 platform.
The virtual series extends metrics and evaluation conversations beyond Nairobi
Advancing Inclusive Impact Measurement for SGBs at ANDE’s 2025 Ground Up Conference in Nairobi.
Now live in the Career Center section, we showcase skilled talent currently seeking their next opportunity as well as organizations and programs supporting them.
The initiative will update ecosystem maps, analyze critical data, and offer strategic tools to enhance support for small and growing businesses.
Despite facing structural and individual barriers to business growth, women in low and middle income countries (LMICs) continue to carve out their own economic opportunities. Many are running businesses, often leveraging new technologies to expand their reach. Women are among the owners of 47% of businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean, 44% in East Asia and the Pacific, and 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. In emerging economies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP), underscoring their vital role in economic development. However, women entrepreneurs face systematic disadvantages in accessing capital, growing business networks, and fully participating in the digital economy.
In recent years, women entrepreneurs have increasingly embraced digital technologies, with social media emerging as a powerful tool for expanding their businesses, building customer relationships, and boosting visibility. Beyond social media, many are adopting e-commerce, AI-driven business tools, and online financial services. Yet significant challenges remain, including insufficient resources, limited technical skills, risks of gender-based harassment, privacy concerns, and digital exclusion. These obstacles restrict women’s ability to fully capitalize on the benefits of technologies that could support their business growth.
This report provides fresh insights from an online survey of 2,870 women entrepreneurs from 96 LMICs, highlighting the key trends, challenges, and urgent actions required to create a more inclusive, secure, and healthy business environment for women-led enterprises. This year’s survey is an in-depth examination of key business technology issues explored in last year’s report, spotlighting how digital finance and social media are reshaping business for women.
Apply now for ANDE’s upcoming Investment Manager Training (IMT), taking place on June 2-6, 2025 in Bangalore.
Join us on April 16, 2025, in Mumbai for an exclusive convening led by investors and corporates, focused on accelerating access to green finance and markets for waste and circularity enterprises.
ANDE South Asia, Accenture and Villgro, are bringing together corporates and funding partners for an invite-only workshop focused on technology innovations in the circular economy.