6 July 2020: The Financial Times and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have announced the shortlists for the 2020 FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards, a global programme that highlights ground-breaking, long-term private sector solutions to major development issues.
This year’s programme marks 15 years of collaboration between the FT and IFC on awards that have had a substantial impact on the way financial and non-financial organisations approach sustainable investment.
The awards’ core categories directly relate to global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this overall focus, special attention will be given by the judging panel to initiatives that address climate change, and/or harness disruptive technologies and business models to increase impact and scale. Innovative financing solutions, including best practice in impact investing, will also be recognised.
The 2020 awards include a new category on harnessing the power of innovation and technology to ensure inclusion among the most marginalised and vulnerable groups, including the disabled, refugees from conflict and persecution, and those who are excluded due to their gender, age, location, caste, religion or sexual identity.
A total of 179 entries were received from 167 organisations on solutions impacting all regions of the world.
The shortlisted nominees are as follows:
Transformational Solutions in Urban Infrastructure
Arthaland zero carbon certified buildings (Philippines)
Belgrade Energy-from-Waste and landfill remediation project
Global Climate Partnership Fund
Jibu franchised drinking water treatment (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Burundi, Zambia)
SOSO CARE waste recycling and health insurance programme (Nigeria)
Transformational Solutions in Food, Water and Land
Arosia solar-powered water purification and dispensing system (India, Bangladesh, US)
Ecometrica satellite-based forest monitoring system (Brazil, Belize, Colombia, Mexico, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia)
EZCond off-grid atmospheric water generator (Africa)
Geobotanics satellite and AI-based crop risk measurement solution (India, South Africa, Brazil)
Phytech plant stem sensors for optimal water use (Israel, US, Australia, South America)
Refrigeration As A Service renewable energy-powered cold room (Nigeria)
Water Entrepreneurship for Women's Empowerment clean water programme (Bangladesh)
Transformational Solutions in Health, Wellness and Disease Prevention
Breadwinner health insurance programme for very poor households (China)
Flare emergency response vehicle dispatch system (Kenya, Ghana)
Ibex AI-powered cancer diagnostic solution (Israel, US, Europe, Australia)
ILoF platform for Alzheimer's disease screening and stratification (Global)
Leap and M-Jali platforms for health worker training and household health data (Kenya, Malawi)
Rology tele-radiology platform for rapid, remote diagnosis (Egypt, DR Congo, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Maldives)
Simprints biometric ID technology for impact verification (Nepal, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia)
Transformational Solutions in Education, Knowledge and Skills
Bookers entrepreneurial and apprenticeship programme (Nigeria)
Dream Viet Education (Kyna) online programme for children (Vietnam)
Made by Tiny Miracles education and empowerment initiative (India)
Muse by SABAQ digital learning system (Pakistan)
Vodafone Foundation Instant Network Schools for refugees (Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, South Sudan)
Special Award: Innovating for the Most Vulnerable and Disadvantaged
Atlas critical sanitation facilities for primary schools (South Africa)
Boresha Technologies financial services for smallholder farmers (Uganda)
IKEA Foundation livelihood development programme for Somali refugees (Ethiopia)
Integreat information platform for refugees and migrants (Germany)
TymeBank digital banking for the underserved and unbanked (South Africa, Indonesia)
The winner in each category will be announced at the FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards ceremony on October 8. There will also be Excellence prizes awarded to those short-listed initiatives that most impress the judging panel in terms of their disruptive approach to markets and business models, impact on addressing climate change, and innovative financing approach. This year, the event will be held virtually.
The awards judging panel consists of:
● Pilita Clark, Associate Editor and Business Columnist, Financial Times (co-chair)
● Karin Finkelston, Vice President, Partnerships, Communication, and Outreach, International Finance Corporation (IFC) (co-chair)
● Samir Abhyankar, Partner, TPG Growth
● Kalipso Chalkidou, Director of Global Health Policy and Senior Fellow, Centre for Global Development
● Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group
● Chris Locke, Founder, Caribou Digital
● Miguel Martins, Founder, reNEW
● Kanini Mutooni, Managing Director, TONIIC, and Board Chair, Global Innovation Fund
● Henrik Skovby, Chairman, Dalberg Group
PwC is technical advisor to the programme.
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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. The FT has a record paying readership of more than one million, three-quarters of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.
About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2019, we invested more than $19 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
For more information, please contact:
Financial Times: Kristina Eriksson | Kristina.eriksson@ft.com
IFC: Nadya Nikiforova | nnikiforova@ifc.org