[PANEL SESSION] Innovative Financing Structures to Inclusive Financial Institutions (IFIs)

This panel session will discuss innovative financing structures to Inclusive Financial Institutions (IFIs). Verdant Capital will contribute to the discussion based on the instruments that will be invested in IFIs via the Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund (VCHF), which has a pan-African investment mandate. These include subordinated debt and preference shares, and for regulated institutions, AT1 Capital and LT2 Capital and will help “crowd-in” senior debt from other sources. The Africa Local Currency Bond Fund (ALCBF) will discuss the contribution of local bond markets to the funding mix available to the sector in the Africa. As the ALCBF approaches its 10th anniversary it will share its perspective on the growth of these markets. TCX is approaching a landmark of its own – coming to the completion of its 15th year of supporting frontier capital markets through provision of currency hedging. The panel will discuss the contribution of TCX, both directly, and indirectly, through spurring competitive FX hedging options. The panellists will discuss the funding landscape to IFIs as we look ahead to the next years – what are key funding opportunities and what are the key “gaps” remaining.