British International Investment and Symbiotics Partner to Launch First-ever Green Basket Bond Across Africa, South and Southeast Asia

British International Investment (“BII”), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI), has subscribed to a $75 million Green Basket Bond arranged by Symbiotics, a leading emerging markets access platform and financial lender. The green lending program will direct much-needed financing (across multiple currencies) to small-scale green projects across Africa, South and Southeast Asia through local MSME banks.

This Green Basket Bond is the first of its kind issued in BII’s markets – covering the African continent, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. This program will leverage Symbiotics’ global network, and BII’s 74-year track record as an impact investor, to support 10 – 15 MSME banks who require smaller investment capital than BII is typically able to fund directly.