By ; Bakinam Khaled 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Catalyst Private Equity (CPE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 4, to promote impact investing in Egypt as key means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The MoU signature took place at the Misr Holding Company premises by UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, Randa Aboul-Hosn, CPE Managing Director, Mr. Abdelaziz Abdel Nabi, and the presence of Misr Insurance Holding Chairman Mr. Basel El Hini Chairman, Advisor to the Minister of International Cooperation (MoIC) on Digitalization and Entrepreneurship Mr. Tamer Taha, UNDP representatives, private sector, and development partners. 

Impact investing is coming to Egypt. Companies and investors will be looking into investments made into companies, organizations, and funds to generate a measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. CPE is the first in Egypt and the Middle East to join UNDP to put impact investing into practice. 

“We now need impact investing more than ever to grow, accelerate and improve. As COVID-19 shocked the world, the need to achieve the SDGs is inevitable. Our partnership with CPE will catalyze the private sector’s investments and make it possible to invest in the right direction.” Said UNDP Resident Representative Randa Aboul-Hosn. “Businesses will need to realign their investments and capital to make a conscious impact that can be measured.” 

Globally recognized impact measurement principles, standards, and tools will be applied to a concrete pool of investment-ready SMEs to measure and manage their impact through a practical measurement manual and a user-friendly digital platform.

“It is an honor for Misr Insurance Holding Company (MIHC) to host the signature of this important MOU which marks the distinction of Catalyst PE Fund (CPE) as an impact investor, the first of its kind in Egypt. This important development pays further tribute to MIHC Group involvement as the largest investor in CPE. I take this opportunity to applaud UNDP for its keenness to introduce the principles of impact investing in the Egyptian market and I look forward to witnessing first-hand the impact which the target SME’s will have on the society.” Said the chairman and managing director of Misr Insurance Holding Company - Mr. Basel El-Hini.

“SMEs find it challenging to partner with the appropriate investors that provide capital and impactful support; thus, we, CPE, have decided to launch our new fund Catalyst Capital Egypt (CCE) to be the first impact investing fund in Egypt and MENA region dedicated to SMEs. Through this partnership we will spearhead and concretize the investment philosophy of profit with purpose under SDG impact standards; and to be a seed for market practice.” Said CPE Managing Director, Mr. Abdelaziz Abdel Nabi.

UNDP works across sectors. Its global expertise and network will provide guidance and vision through a set of principles and measures needed to use investments that would help realize the SDGs by 2030. The signed MoU adds to MoIC and UNDP’s joint efforts to promote SDG Impact Investing, building on Environmental, Social and Governance principles.