Through BII Plus, we provide technical assistance to identify and unlock opportunities beyond the scope of returnable capital. We focus on three types of activity.
Supporting businesses in our portfolio
In 2025, BII Plus supported 60 portfolio companies to strengthen their operations, pilot new solutions, and adopt more inclusive and responsible business practices – delivering additional impact for people and the planet.
- In Zimbabwe, we supported Amalgamated Brands, a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, to pilot a women‑owned, micro‑retail low-cost distribution model. Women entrepreneurs were equipped with branded carts to reach peri-urban customers. The project resulted in 100 women-operated carts, with monthly incomes rising from $60–140 to $100–200 per month. The company now plans to scale the model.
- In Kenya, we supported Roam Electric to test open, interoperable fast-charging for electric two-wheelers, as a complement to battery-swapping – so any compatible bike can use the same chargers, regardless of brand. This included convening manufacturers, investors and regulators to align on shared standards and approaches.
- In India, we launched a facility with the Gates Foundation to help financial institutions and fintechs develop gender-intentional solutions, advancing women’s financial inclusion.
Unlocking new investments
Alongside continued support for ARIA and our market-building programme in Nepal, we strengthened our focus on building investment pipelines in frontier markets. In 2025, this included two dedicated technical assistance programmes:
- We launched Zambia Investment Support Programme to expand SME access to finance through intermediaries and other investors. The programme has supported 15 SMEs with technical assistance and unlocked one deal worth $2 million.
- In Sierra Leone, we launched a new programme to strengthen the investment ecosystem, building on lessons from similar market-building programmes in other markets.
Strengthening the impact investment industry
We supported industry-wide initiatives to build capacity, strengthen standards and drive collective progress on key issues such as gender, climate and environmental, social and governance (ESG):
- In partnership with DEG, Norfund and Proparco, we delivered 12 gender-based violence and harassment workshops, reaching 300 participants across Africa and Asia. Read more in this case study.
- We supported the development of the Investors Resilience Challenge, an initiative to mobilise private capital for adaptation and resilience. It aims to help investors better manage physical climate risks and increase investment in solutions that strengthen resilience for communities.
- We also continued our long-standing partnership with 2X Global to build the gender-lens investing field. We helped strengthen standards for the 2X Challenge and contributed to the evidence base on the impact of investments for women.
