The Financial Times and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have announced the shortlists for the 2017 FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards. The global programme highlights ground-breaking, long-term private sector solutions to major development issues.

The 2017 FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards mark 12 years of collaboration between the FT and IFC on awarding initiatives that have had a substantial impact on the way financial and non-financial institutions approach sustainable investment.

This year special attention was given to products and services that harness disruptive technologies and business models to achieve their sustainability objectives. The awards also again highlighted solutions that address climate change and help meet key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A total of 148 entries were received from 152 organisations involving projects in more than 84 countries.

The shortlisted nominees are as follows, with countries of impact:

Achievement in Transformational Infrastructure

Block Island Wind Farm, US
Engro Elengy Terminal, Pakistan
Conergy Lakeland Solar and Storage, Australia
National Freight Information and Transportation Hub (NAFITH), Jordan and Iraq
S.O.L.I.D., Nicaragua
Truck Alliance, China
Yobi Tech, India

Achievement in Transformational Finance

African Local Currency Bond (ALCB) Fund, Sub-Saharan Africa
Cash Credit, Philippines
CrossBoundary Energy Fund, Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana
IFMR Multi Originator Securitisation, India
Medical Credit Fund, Sub-Saharan Africa
ReNew Power Masala Bond, India
WorldRemit, Global

Achievement in Sustainable Development, with a focus on Food, Water and Land

Doni Doni Cocoa Program, Côte d’Ivoire
EkoLakay Sanitation Programme, Haiti
Ignitia, Sub-Saharan Africa
Levi Strauss Water<Less, Global
New Cairo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Egypt
PATH Ultra Rice, India
Winnow, Global

Achievement in Sustainable Development, with a focus on Health, Wellness and Disease Prevention

CarePay M-TIBA Mobile Health Wallet, Kenya
Essilor Eye Mitra Programme, India
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals mMitra, India
Goodlife Pharmacy, Kenya and Uganda
Hospital Metropolitano, Ecuador
Unjani Clinics Network, South Africa
Wellspring Healthcare Network, India

Achievement in Sustainable Development, with a focus on Education, Knowledge and Skills

BRAC STAR Skills Training Programme, Bangladesh
BYJU’S Learning App, India and GCC
Edukasyon.ph Employment Platform, Philippines
Moringa School Education Platform, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana
Santander Universia Brasil, Brazil

Overall Award: Excellence in Disruptive Technologies

BYJU’S Learning App, India and GCC
Ignitia, Sub-Saharan Africa
Truck Alliance, China
Winnow, Global
WorldRemit, Global

Overall Award: Excellence in Climate Solutions

Block Island Wind Farm, US
Conergy Lakeland Solar and Storage, Australia
CrossBoundary Energy Fund, Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana
ReNew Power Masala Bond, India
S.O.L.I.D., Nicaragua

Special Public Sector Award: Achievement in City-Led Transformation

Circular Economy Water Management, Dubai
El Cinturón Verde de Cuenca (Cuenca Green Belt), Cuenca, Ecuador
Energy 2040 Goal, Cape Town
PACCM Climate Action Programme, Mexico City
Quiero mi Barrio (I Love My Neighbourhood), Talcahuano, Chile

The winners in each category will be announced at a dinner to be held at the Hilton Bankside in London on 8 June 2017.

The awards judging panel consists of:

  • Robert Armstrong, chief editorial writer, Financial Times (co-chair)
  • Nena Stoiljkovic, vice president for blended finance and partnerships, IFC (co-chair)
  • Samir Abhyankar, partner, TPG Growth
  • Kalipso Chalkidou, director, Global Health and Development Group, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College
  • Billy Cobbett, director, Cities Alliance
  • Chris Locke, founder, Caribou Digital
  • Kanini Mutooni, member of the board, Global Innovation Fund
  • Nick Robins, co-director, Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • Henrik Skovby, executive chairman, Dalberg Group

PwC is technical advisor to the programme.

The dinner will conclude the FT/IFC Transformational Business Conference, a major half-day gathering of policy-makers, private sector decision-makers and thought leaders designed to explore and debate the issues generated by the Awards.

- ends -

For further information, please contact:

Sin Yee Hon, FT: sinyee.hon@ft.com
Nadezda Nikiforova, IFC: nnikiforova@ifc.org

About the Financial Times

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. In 2016 the FT passed a significant milestone in its digital transformation as digital and services revenues overtook print revenues for the first time. The FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of almost 860,000 and makes 60% of revenues from its journalism.

About IFC

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it’s needed most. In FY16, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

-->