Anne Salter

Anne is a development professional. She has undertaken a number of research projects as part of the Ashley Insight team with clients including the World Bank Innovations team, Business Call to Action and the Global Innovation Fund. Anne has worked with the Federation of Social Organisations in Costa Rica, Ashoka Mexico and Social Enterprise UK.

Inclusive Business in Latin America and the Caribbean- Publication Highlights

10. Jul 2015

In July 2015 the Practitioner Hub is exploring the inclusive business sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region’s history, populations and geography have created unique conditions and challenges for inclusive business on the continent- with 405 million people earning under $10 a day, 45% of which earn under $4 a day, there is both the need and opportunity for innovative business models to have a positive impact on the region’s development.

Below are some useful publications to serve as an introduction to the sector:

1. A Rising US$ 750 Billion Market: Unlocking Opportunities at the Base of the Pyramid in Latin America and the Caribbean, Opportunities for the Majority, 2015

This month’s Editor’s Choice, this report reviews how the base of the pyramid market has changed in the past decade across the region. Published in July 2015 by Opportunities for the Majority. For the full review click here to read this month’s Editor’s Choice.


2. Innovating, gaining market share, and fostering social inclusion success stories in SME development by OAS, IDB, ECLAC, 2011

This report reviews success stories and discusses lessons learned in promoting the development of sustainable, inclusive SMEs. It includes the fields of productive linkages for SMEs, preparing a modern labour force, trade facilitation, technological modernization, environmental governance and cooperation and improving policies.


3. Lessons in Building the Impact investing Ecosystem by Avina, 2015

With commitments of $1.4bn the impact investment sector in Latin America has balloon over the past decade, despite the economic woes of many countries in the region. This report from Avina looks at the rise of the sector in Latin America and the Caribbean and the opportunities and challenges it will face in the future.


4. A Firm Level approach to Majority Market Business by Inter-American Development Bank & SNV, 2008

This report maps opinions from 521 interviews with leaders in private companies in thirteen countries, to look at the current motives, strategies, incentives, obstacles, and benefits as perceived by firms to enter untapped majority markets. Although this report is from 2008 it is still an interesting view into large companies’ motivations across the region.


5. Working Together in Pursuit of Inclusive Business: Sharing the Latin American and Caribbean Experience with Asia and the Pacific by IDB & ADB, 2013

Of course Latin America does not work in isolation. Since 2011, the ADB and the IDB have been facilitating knowledge sharing through several subprojects between Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2013 they released the report that shares insights into how both regions are working together with the private sector to address development challenges. For more information on the ADB’s work with Latin America see this blog from Armin Bauer, Principal Economist and coordinator of the Inclusive Business initiative in the ADB.

Specific industries & case studies

6. Many Paths to a Home: Emerging business models for Latin America and the Caribbean’s Base of the Pyramid by IDB, 2014

This report summarises the housing market challenges for the base of the pyramid in Latin America and analyses four housing business models that can enable companies and other organizations to provide services and products to the BOP: Micro-Mortgage, Rent -To-Own, Core House and Home Improvements.

7. Gender and Recycling: Tools for Project Design and Implementation (disponible en español) by Regional Initiative for Inclusive Recycling, 2013

In Latin America and the Caribbean an estimated four million people make a living through informal recycling in unsanitary and dangerous conditions. This report illustrates the challenges and benefits of inclusive recycling. It provides a toolkit, which facilitates the integration of gender into recycling projects and an analysis of women's and men's access to, control over and benefit from resources in the recycling sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. It offers practical tools for project design and implementation for project managers, increasing the access of poor women to the formal recycling market.

8. Negocios Inclusivos en Colombia y México by GIZ, 2015

Available only in Spanish this report from GIZ reviews the actors, ecosystems and business models in inclusive business in Colombia and Mexico. For a blog in English on private sector strategy in Colombia by Jenny Melo click here.

For a comprehensive list of case studies & projects see our inclusive business initiatives page.

This blog is a part of our July 2015 series on inclusive business in Latin America and the Caribbean. View the full series for more from practitioners, inclusive businesses and researchers in the region.