Global impact investment has surged over the past five years, and emerging markets like South Africa are expected to lead the way as the trend continues in years to come. Green and social bonds, in particular, have seen astronomical growth globally, though the Middle East and Africa combined account for only USD 10 Billion of the USD 1.024 Trillion total issuance in 2021.
Even so, investors are regularly challenged by the new structures, processes and performance indicators that accompany impact investment, and one of the biggest concerns is ‘greenwashing’ of business activities and possible trade-offs between financial returns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts. However, as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Sustainability Index matures and impact measurement strategies improve, South Africa is leading the charge as the largest impact investing market on the continent.
In the Impact Investing South Africa (IISA)’s recent case study, TUHF is examined as one of the most promising examples of profitable and impactful businesses rising to the challenge. Download the case study to find out how we are filling the finance gap for non-traditional entrepreneurs to develop affordable housing projects in declining urban centres and informal townships.