Publication database

Produced by Magnitt, Wa’ed sponsors the 2021 MENA VC Impact Investment Report, which tries to shed some light on the VC impact investment ecosystem in MENA since 2016. The report reveals that $444m was invested across 403 deals by impact-driven startups across the region since 2016. This accounts for 7% of all venture capital (VC) deployed in MENA startups between 2016 and the third quarter of 2021. The information gathered in the report aims to enable a more informed conversation on this space between stakeholders, and to attract greater investment and support for impact-driven sectors and startups.

This report identifies the value of and support necessary to assist SMEs in scaling up in their local markets across the Middle East and North Africa. It further identifies priority support areas for policymakers including business fundamentals, business propellers, demand creators and country readiness that, when appropriately addressed, can propel local economic growth.

This case study focuses on the urban planning strategies used by a local architecture consultancy firm called ADAPT (Appropriate Development, Architecture and Planning Technologies). It examines how they meet the opportunities of building, upgrading and renewing urban real estate in Egypt’s informal economy. The report describes the market and location context, the business model, constraints and solutions, the actors, and the results of the business.

Investigates the role microfinance institutions (MFI) could play in the formalisation of the economy. Examines the effectiveness of the credit as a incentive to induce clients to formalise and reviews the advantage for a MFI to deal with more formal client.

This case study reviews EQI’s Sustainable Development Initiative and highlights different challenges and opportunities of providing a spectrum of operations to alleviate poverty, improve living conditions, and promote sustainable social and economic development. It outlines the various business models; challenges and successes; and the development impacts to date.

This case study reviews the SEKEM initiative in Egypt which supports the development of the individual, society and the earth, through various economic, social and cultural activities. It outlines the various business models; challenges and successes; and the development impacts to date.