BFA Global

BFA Global at FLII 2025! 🚀 We're excited to be in Mérida this week for FLII 2025, where our team will join key conversations on financial innovation, climate resilience, and the blue economy. Meet us during these sessions: ✅ Feb 26 | 11:00 AM – New Financial Instruments for Resilience in Marine Economies Nelly Ramírez Moncada will join Alejandro Castillo López, Karla Gallardo, and Mariana Madero to explore specialized funds and financial solutions that strengthen coastal communities and accelerate the blue economy. ✅ Feb 26 | 4:00 PM – Finance Tailored to You: Creating Solutions That Truly Work Marco Antonio Del Río Chivardi, Gabriela Zapata Alvarez, and Aline Schlebach will discuss how financial solutions can be designed to meet real-world needs. ✅ Feb 27 | 9:30 AM – Climate Innovations for the Blue Economy Maria Puch will join Mariana Flores Vargas, Armando Laborde, Christian Daube, and DELIA SIMENTAL CRESPO to explore innovative business models tackling climate challenges and driving financial sustainability. We’re looking forward to insightful discussions and meaningful collaborations at #FLII2025! Explore the full agenda here: https://lnkd.in/eCCkmXF4

📢 We're #Hiring! Are you passionate about venture building, working with startups, and driving innovation in Africa's jobtech sector? Join the Jobtech Alliance team as a Venture Builder, where you'll help jobtech startups scale, refine their strategies, and connect with investors and key partners. What you’ll do: ✅ Accelerate jobtech startups through hands-on venture support ✅ Provide strategic guidance to drive product-market fit ✅ Facilitate connections with investors, donors & partners ✅ Share insights through blogs, case studies & industry events 📍 Nigeria 📅 March 2025 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/drcujHcB Know someone who'd be a great fit? Tag them below! 👇 Michelle Hassan Sana Raazi Nicholas Markham Chris Maclay

Yesterday, BFA Global's Jane Del Ser and Maureen K. participated in GOGLA’s members-only funding and technical assistance webinar, where they shared how ClimaFii Alliance—our new initiative—is supporting clean energy enterprises in SSA through venture-building, partnerships, and access to capital. ClimaFii is committed to improving the livelihoods of microentrepreneurs by increasing access to finance and clean energy for productive use. We do this by supporting 50 clean energy enterprises who serve microentrepreneurs in #DRE #cleanfuel #PURE #emobility with grants, investment readiness, and enabling credit and go-to-market partnerships to accelerate their traction. A huge thank you to GOGLA, Linda Y., Silvia Lonkisa and Drew Corbyn for hosting this useful members-only session to close the information gap for entrepreneurs and providing a platform to spotlight initiatives like ClimaFii. We were thrilled to present alongside and learn from Lyndsay Holley Handler from Delta40 Venture Studio and James Todd, CFA from Oikocredit. Last call for clean energy startups and SMEs! If you’re working on clean energy solutions that empower microentrepreneurs, don’t miss this opportunity, apply now to join our Sub-Saharan Africa cohort! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dTxSYD2M ClimaFii Alliance is supported by Shell Foundation, with co-funding from Transforming Energy Access, in partnership with Accion. #ClimaFii #CleanEnergy #DistributedRenewableEnergy #FinancialInclusion #Microentrepreneurs #Livelihoods

The Economist’s latest special report warns that Africa's economic gap will not close under a business-as-usual scenario. But we see a different future—one driven by bold investment, thriving private sectors, and innovative policy solutions. Join us for "Bridging the Africa Gap: An Optimistic Response to The Economist’s Special Report," where leading experts Amolo Ngweno, Michelle Hassan, Sharmi Surianarain, and Paul Breloff will discuss actionable strategies to unlock Africa's economic potential. 📅 March 6, 2025 | 4 PM EAT Register here: https://lnkd.in/dTrFuSaH Jobtech Alliance Shortlist Professionals Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator

⏰ LAST CALL for Applications Time is running out to apply for the ClimaFii Alliance, a unique opportunity for startups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa to build clean energy and climate-smart technologies designed to empower microentrepreneurs. Whether you’re revolutionizing clean mobility, decentralizing energy systems, or creating tech-driven financial services, this is your chance to turn your bold ideas into lasting impact. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dTxSYD2M ClimaFii Alliance is supported by Shell Foundation, with co-funding from Transforming Energy Access, in partnership with Accion. #ClimaFii #ShellFoundation #CleanEnergy #EnergyAccess #DRE #distributedrenewableenergy #accesstocapital #MSMEs #climateresilience #mitigation #adaptation #livelihoods #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction #Microentrepreneurs

In our ongoing effort to understand the resilience of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Mexico, we surveyed over 6,000 businesses through the Strive Mexico program. The insights from this survey shed light on key challenges these enterprises face and how they're adapting to a rapidly changing landscape. Here's a snapshot of what we learned: ✅ Many face unexpected expenses and emergencies, often taking months to recover. ✅ MSEs adopting digital payments showed higher income stability and financial resilience. ✅ Personalized strategies—based on sector, size, and demographics—are critical to their success. These insights are paving the way for stronger, more tailored support for MSEs across Mexico. 👉 Dive into the full findings: https://lnkd.in/dwhepsxm Mastercard Strive Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Marco Antonio Del Río Chivardi Gabriela Zapata Alvarez Aline Schlebach Luz Gomez Valerie de la Fuente

In many parts of rural Kenya, small retailers struggle with high costs, unreliable supply chains, and limited economic opportunities. Mwingi Kenya Ltd is building a network of franchise shops (dukas) that connect rural retailers to a more efficient supply chain. The company lowers costs by aggregating demand, improving logistics, and ensuring a steady supply of affordable goods. Their model also creates stable jobs, with 80% of franchise owners being women, empowering communities while strengthening rural economies. Here’s why Jobtech Alliance invested 👉 https://lnkd.in/d8W_wZSJ Michelle Hassan Chris Maclay Nicholas Markham Wyclife Aketch Brenda Mideva Dr. Manuela Raith

This week, the TECA team had the privilege of bringing together our incredible portfolio founders for a Founders Retreat in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside the Catalyst Fund founders, followed by the Africa Tech Summit . It was a week filled with meaningful connections, shared learnings, and a renewed commitment to driving climate innovation across Africa. The retreat was a space for reflection, collaboration, and strategic growth. We dove into deep conversations about scaling impact, refining operations, and staying true to our core missions. The Africa Tech Summit then provided an exciting platform to engage with investors, funders, and ecosystem builders who are shaping the future of climate resilience on the continent. A huge thank you to our incredible founders for bringing your passion, insights, and vision to the retreat. To our partners, investors, and ecosystem builders—thank you for your support and collaboration. FSD Africa UNIDO Climate Tech Innovation UNIDO Tyler Ferdinand Hannah Eskinder Carmen Wamukoya Mary Kashangaki Linus Owino K. Brian Munene Nonhlanhla Cynthia Mhlongo Daniela Loberline RATIARISOA Samuel Omondi Fardosa Mustafa Shamim Wasii Nyanda Titus Nyandoro Nelio Nhampossa

Did you know that #microentrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change? At the same time, they hold the key to driving sustainable development in their communities. The ClimaFii Alliance—backed by Shell Foundation, Accion, BFA Global, and Upaya Social Ventures—is on a mission to support startups and SMEs building climate-smart solutions that empower these microentrepreneurs. We’re Looking For: ✅ Startups/SMEs with a product in the market and the potential to scale ✅ Solutions in sectors like Productive Energy Applications & Logistics & Distribution Solutions, Decentralized Energy Systems & Distribution, Clean Mobility Systems & Infrastructure, Financial Services and Tech & Data Services What We Offer: 💡 Venture Acceleration: Hands-on, customized support over 5-6 months to refine your product, optimize your go-to-market strategy, and prepare for investment. 💰 Grants: Up to $45,000 in milestone-based funding to help you achieve your goals. 🤝 Partnerships: With Accion, we will develop credit solutions to enable MSMEs to invest in clean energy and growth. Applications close on February 21st, 2025. 👉 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/diAEBMry Shell Foundation’s support of the program is co-funded with UK Aid from the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through its Transforming Energy Access platform. #ClimaFii #ShellFoundation #CleanEnergy #EnergyAccess #DRE #distributedrenewableenergy #accesstocapital #MSMEs #climateresilience #mitigation #adaptation #livelihoods #ClimateInnovation #CleanEnergy #Microentrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #ClimateAction #Startups #Sustainability

Resilience is essential for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities. Our newly developed "Practical Guide for Assessing and Strengthening MSE Resilience" equips organizations with tools to measure and enhance #MSE resilience across financial, operational, digital, and business dimensions. This resource enables organizations to support MSEs with tailored solutions, ensuring they can adapt, recover, and grow in evolving market conditions. 📖 Access the toolkit here: https://lnkd.in/gckMC4hh Mastercard Strive Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Fundación Capital Luz Gomez Marco Antonio Del Río Chivardi Gabriela Zapata Alvarez Aline Schlebach Valerie de la Fuente Juan Navarrete Luna Grace Akinyi Juan Manuel J.