A survey revealed a stark ownership gap of over 40% between men and women in established businesses in the MENA region, marking it as the largest globally.
Furthermore, approximately 60% of female respondents cited reliance on personal savings as their primary or sole capital source, while 30% expressed discomfort or perceived unfair criticism when seeking loans from banks.
A notable presence of women at the forefront of climate tech entrepreneurship in the region, as stated by the analysis of the PwC Net Zero Future50 - Middle East.
Despite historical underrepresentation in leading business roles, female founders from diverse backgrounds such as finance, government, and fashion have spearheaded their own startups, propelled by a profound belief in their capacity to make significant contributions towards combating climate change.
The Business of Impact Investing in 2023
Impact investing is a form of investing that believes that every dollar invested can make a difference, while producing a profit. Over the past 20 years, impact investing has undergone a remarkable evolution, driven by a confluence of societal, economic, and technological factors. These influences have propelled impact investing into a crucial mechanism for addressing societal needs, traditionally the domain of public funding. In 2022, the impact investing market sat at US$1,146 billion, growing at a healthy compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29% over the last four years. This special report features interviews with thought leaders in the impact investing space, and offers an insightful perspective on the current and future state of impact investing, its challenges and opportunities, and highlights case studies of investors, social enterprises, and the impact they are having on the world.
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