Supporting Investment in Least Developed Countries – BUILD Fund

This project aims to support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries globally. The BUILD Fund is a blended finance vehicle designed to provide financing to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with strong development impact potential. BUILD is a partnership between Bamboo Capital Partners and the United Nations Capital Development Fund. The project uses a repayable contribution to the BUILD Fund to mobilize additional public and private investment in support of its expected outcomes and to help demonstrate the viability of investing in LDCs. Project activities include providing financing to SMEs active in the sectors of food security and nutrition financial inclusion renewable energy and small scale infrastructure. Gender equality is a crosscutting theme of the BUILD Fund with preference given to investments that support women’s economic empowerment. The Fund supports entrepreneurs business owners (including women business owners) suppliers consumers and users in target countries through improved access to quality goods and services.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased flow of finance for sustainable development goal-aligned SMEs including women-owned SMEs allowing for investments that would not have otherwise occurred; (2) the creation of sustainable jobs for women and men and the realization of positive economic effects for suppliers consumers users both women and men; and (3) improved viability and demonstration effect of investment in BUILD markets.