By Faridat Salifu
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has announced five shortlisted finalists from its recent Call for Proposals (CfP) aimed at unlocking private climate finance in emerging markets and developing economies.
The CfP, recently launched under BII’s £100 million Mobilisation Facility in partnership with global investment firm Mercer, sought proposals from asset managers, banks, and impact investors with strategies to deploy concessional capital and overcome market barriers to climate-related investments.
Following a competitive process that attracted 27 proposals, BII shortlisted Amundi, BlueOrchard, Finance in Motion, Standard Chartered, and one climate-focused fund manager.
The five organisations will now advance to BII’s Investment Committee stage, with up to three expected to receive funding from a £50 million allocation under the Mobilisation Facility by Q4 2025.
The judging panel included BII’s Chief Investment Officer Andrew Brown, Taru Capital Founder Ngalaah Chapati, Nest Invest CEO Mark Fawcett, BII’s Jo Fry and Ryan Wagner, Eastpoint Partners Chair John Walker, and Faith Ward of the Brunel Pension Partnership and IIGCC.
BII CEO Leslie Maasdorp described the initiative as a major step toward scaling climate finance where it is most needed, noting that BII has invested over $2 billion in climate finance and mobilised over $1 billion in private capital over the past three years.
Nest Invest CEO Mark Fawcett praised the level of innovation among the proposals, while Faith Ward said the shortlisted entries showcased the creativity the financial sector can bring to emerging markets climate resilience.
BII says it will continue seeking climate-focused investment opportunities through its standard investment channels.
