ICR Stories

On 27 May 2025, the year-long research project “Enhancing the evidence base for gender-transformative Business Environment Reforms in selected OACPS member states” concluded with a virtual event bringing together policymakers, researchers and practitioners.     Around the world, governments are working to create reforms to empower women to fully participate in and drive economic growth. The […]

The momentum to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into the DNA of financial institutions has never been stronger. And nowhere is this more critical than in the world of development finance, where mission-driven institutions play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable futures. Recognizing the urgency—and the opportunity—the Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility, rolled […]

There are many reasons why a development finance institution (DFI) would want to conduct a gender assessment. For the Federated States of Micronesia Development Bank (FSMDB), the objectives included better serving women entrepreneurs and thereby growing its client base, formalising gender equality in policies and operations, and meeting the gender requirements of international funders such […]

Discover the data. Shape the dialogue. Join our webinar on 27th May to dive into research findings and peer-to-peer learning.   Coming on 27 May 2025! Policymakers, private sector and civil society representatives from across the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) regions are to meet online for a webinar in May. The focus? Exploring how legal […]

Gender champions are agents of change in development finance institutions (DFIs). They drive efforts to embed gender equality in the DNA of their organisations and promote inclusive lending practices to narrow funding gaps for women entrepreneurs. The ICR Facility, which advises DFIs in African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries on gender mainstreaming, has invited gender champions […]

  The Gambia stands at a crucial crossroads in its journey towards a cash-lite economy that enables a thriving digital ecosystem. The implementation of the National Strategy for Leveraging FinTech to Drive Financial Inclusion for Women Cross-Border Traders, developed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry Regional Integration, and Employment (MoTIE) with the support of the […]

With approximately 223 million people, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and has the largest economy, with its entrepreneurs and their enterprises the engine of the economy. They account for roughly 96% of all businesses (most of which are micro, small and medium enterprises, also known as MSMEs) and 33% are owned by […]

One of Africa’s leading economic blocs is enhancing dialogue between the public and private sectors to foster sustainable development, regional integration and an improved business climate. The adoption of a new public-private dialogue strategy by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) will, backers say, position the private sector as a key development partner […]

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Africa’s second largest country with a population of 109m, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a pivotal role in the economy. They comprise up to 90% of all businesses, account for 70% of jobs and drive innovation through creative solutions to local challenges. Yet as in most […]

The ICR Facility is supporting its partners to increase women’s participation in public-private dialogues. Our new ICReport How to make the Business Environment work for Women’s Economic Empowerment builds on an earlier publication Promoting Women’s Organisations into Public-Private Dialogues in order to Foster Women’s Economic Empowerment in ACP Countries and demonstrates how the recommendations made can […]

The ICR Facility is supporting its partners to increase women’s participation in the labour force. Our new ICReport How to make the Business Environment work for Women’s Economic Empowerment builds on an earlier publication Business Environment Reforms to Promote Equal Opportunities for Women in the Labour Market and demonstrates how the recommendations made can be implemented […]

The ICR Facility is supporting its partners to increase women’s economic empowerment (WEE) by facilitating their access to finance. Our new ICReport How to make the Business Environment work for Women’s Economic Empowerment builds on an earlier publication Trends in Gender Finance in African Caribbean and Pacific Development Finance Institutions and demonstrates how the recommendations made […]