ABOUT US

USAID INVEST unlocks the power of private capital to drive inclusive growth in countries where USAID works. Increasingly, private investors and businesses are looking to emerging and frontier markets for better returns and new market opportunities. However, these investors often face high transaction costs and lack the information they need. In some cases, investors encounter poor risk-reward ratios that make investment unattractive.

INVEST addresses these challenges and facilitates work between USAID and the investment community.

WHAT WE DO

USAID INVEST reduces barriers for investors and channels private capital into key regions and sectors for better development results.

Market Assessments:

INVEST helps USAID understand market conditions and identify investment opportunities.

Structuring Funds and Financial Instruments:

INVEST designs or structures blended finance funds, investment platforms, and other financial products.

Transaction Advisory Services:

INVEST helps link capital suppliers to businesses that need investment to grow.

The USAID Finance and Investment Network

The USAID Finance and Investment Network, managed by INVEST, includes more than 335 members from the investment and development community. It enables USAID to quickly access niche technical and financial expertise to execute on investment opportunities. Through this network, INVEST leverages USAID funding and technical assistance in new ways to mobilize private capital. To join the partner network, please email INVEST_Network@DAI.com.

WHERE INVEST WORKS

INVEST works across USAID’s portfolio of countries and sectors. Below are examples of some of INVEST’s activities.

• Tunisia: Facilitating two-way trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa
• Corporate Investment Partnerships: Aligning investments for corporate sustainability and better development results
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Exploring blended finance vehicles for agriculture
• India: Designing a platform to crowd in private capital
• Haiti: Mobilizing investment to electrify North-East Haiti
• Power Africa: Off-Grid Energy Access in Kenya
• Afghanistan: Building international business-to-business linkages to promote investment
• Gender-Lens Investing: Assessing the landscape for a promising investment approach
• Women’s Economic Empowerment: Supporting Women’s World Banking Capital Partners Fund II

PUBLICATIONS

• USAID INVEST Blended Finance Starter Kit: 10 Questions about Mobilizing Private Capital for Better Development Results
• INVEST Annual Report (October 2019 to September 2020)
• INVEST Close Up: Catalyzing Private Investment For Women's Economic Empowerment
• INVEST One-Pager
• About the INVEST Partner Network
• Corporate Investment Partnerships for Growth and Sustainability Executive Summary
• INVEST Close Up: The INVEST Initiative and Partner Network
• INVEST Close Up: Expanding Investment in Off-Grid Energy Access in Kenya
• Greater Than the Sum of its Parts: Blended Finance Roadmap for Global Health

IN THE NEWS

• An African Model for This Moment: Local Institutional Funding of Infrastructure
• How High-Impact Businesses in Emerging Markets Are Pivoting in the COVID
• Overcoming an Outdated Narrative: Why Investors Need to Recognize Africa's True Potential
• Investing from the 'Frontier of the Frontier': Lessons from Ten Years as an Investment Advisor in Africa
• New initiative looks to drive growth in Haiti's Private Sector
• USAID, OPIC team up on women's finance in 'preview' of new DFI era
• Convergence Member Spotlight with INVEST
• Three ways to get better outcomes from blended finance
• INVEST: On the Frontier of Gender-Lens Investing
• 5 Hacks for a Better Request for Proposals Process

For questions about INVEST, please contact INVEST_Network@DAI.com