The bioeconomy — converting biological resources into high-value outputs across materials, food, pharma and energy — is already worth $4–5 trillion and projected to reach $30 trillion by 2050. The gap is not ambition but investable pipeline. This session examines how global initiatives, regional platforms and national frameworks are building the financial and governance infrastructure needed to move capital at scale — and who sets the rules on value distribution.
A new generation of agri-funds and financial institutions has emerged: they are based locally, invest across food security and climate-smart value chains, but struggle to raise capital. The session presented by leading operators and researchers in the space presents (1) the latest research mapping the 300 funds and financial institutions investing in African agriculture, and (2) the live innovative finance solutions to mobilise capital at scale for the sector.
This session explores how investors can access reliable, community‑generated data on human rights and environmental risks in Indonesia’s nickel sector—the world’s largest source of mined nickel. Bringing together civil society, investors, and critical‑minerals experts, the event highlights an innovative, ongoing data initiative that turns local insights into decision‑useful information to improve due diligence and steer capital toward more responsible mineral supply chains.
The UNFCCC Paris Agreement Article 6, has launched a new global carbon market, estimated to reach more than $180bn by 2050: driven by globally-compliant sovereign carbon credits demand. Emerging market countries, like Suriname, have been working diligently to structure & offer these international ITMOs to help companies and banks reach their carbon credit demand, climate and nature targets. Learn about this new multi-billion-dollar market and this institutional-grade asset class.
The fashion industry is a key frontier for sustainable finance. This session explores how investors can support their shift to circular, low-carbon models. Bringing together asset managers and industry experts, it examines transition risks, investment opportunities, and the role of capital in driving real change across complex global value chains.
Through an interactive format, the workshop will examine the different facets of climate adaptation and climate risk. Participants will gain insights into how banks, asset managers, the real economy, public authorities, and the World Bank are currently addressing these challenges, before jointly discussing remaining gaps and opportunities to further enhance action in the future.
Sanitation is a universal human need, and underpins both public health and women’s economic freedom. Wastewater also contributes 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The sanitation sector remains very fragmented, and solutions must be adapted to local needs. The historical developed-world solution of sewered sanitation is expensive, water-hungry, and vulnerable to both floods and droughts. In this session we will discuss a range of innovative alternatives that are ready to be deployed at scale.
It aims to showcase how stronger engagement between LRGs, States and MDBs help channel investment toward local climate-responsive and SDG-aligned projects and make the international financial architecture more responsive to sustainable local development by: Strengthening policy and financial alignment through multilevel cooperation; Increasing the mobilization of resources from MDBs and private asset owners; De-risking investments in urban projects; Advancing innovative financing instruments.
Africa’s healthcare sector is expanding rapidly, fueled by rising rates of chronic disease and a growing middle class. Hospital infrastructure is growing at ~5–8% CAGR, while smart, tech-driven facilities are surging at ~16–28% CAGR. Private and blended finance can deliver scalable, high-impact solutions with strong returns. This session will focus on actionable strategies, proven approaches, and opportunities to scale solutions that effectively address Africa’s healthcare needs.
We will feature how the NFA partnered with several ecosystem organisations in Switzerland to structure an innovative financial mechanism, powered by nature tech solutions, to engage the private sector in nature and biodiversity conservation. An important feature of our project is the incorporation of sustainable and regenerative agriculture with nature conservation and restoration.