On the 14th and 15th of November 2022, research and innovation stakeholders from over 35 countries gathered in Cape Town, South Africa for the WAITRO Summit 2022. With the aim of building new partnerships and initiating working groups to face global challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), more than 140 delegates had the opportunity to learn and hear from renowned speakers, exchange experiences, network and collaborate during the two days of face-to-face event.
Following the keynote presentation by Keiron Brand, DFCD Africa Regional Lead at WWF, a distinguished panel of speakers delved into the theme “Bridging the Gaps between the Private Sector and Innovative and High Impact Groups.” The discussion was moderated by Jean-Marc Champagne, Managing Director of Seneca Impact Advisors. The panelists included Hannah Baleta, PhD, Independent Consultant; Wesley Okeke, CEO of CUBIO Innovation Center; Fungai Musana, Chief External Engagement Officer at WWF, and Laura Eck, Project Manager at McKinsey and Consultant to WWF.
The panel discussion highlighted several critical issues in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was emphasized that meeting these goals required more than just funding through grants and donations. Private investment emerged as a crucial target, but it was noted that private investors needed forecasted returns to be interested. The discussion revealed that SDG projects could indeed offer sufficient returns to attract private capital without compromising their goals. Additionally, these projects had the potential to increase the income of the surrounding communities, which was vital for sustainability and conservation efforts that required community involvement.
The panel also addressed the importance of scalability and replicability for private investors. Projects or ideas that could be scaled up or replicated in other locations were seen as more capable of utilizing larger amounts of capital and having a greater impact. It was pointed out that deal sizes in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars were necessary to attract large investors.
Key issues discussed included the risk and return gap between investors and developers, governance risk in new businesses, aspects of bankability, and the challenges in accessing funds and facilities. The panel provided valuable insights into these areas, offering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in attracting private investment for SDG projects.
