When we wrote about sustainable emerging market bonds in October 2025, our central argument was structural. A widening development finance gap, improving sovereign credit fundamentals across much of the EM universe, and growing green, social, and sustainability bond issuance were collectively changing the risk and return profile of this asset class. That argument has not changed. What has changed is the external environment in which it must be tested.

In emerging and frontier markets, economic conditions can change quickly. Interest rates, inflation, and currency stability vary across countries. These differences affect the risk of lending to financial institutions.

Recent concerns surrounding private credit have intensified due to isolated bankruptcies, valuation uncertainty, and riskier lending structures emerging in parts of the market. However, these issues relate to specific segments of private debt and should not be confused with the fundamentally different world of microfinance private debt. The structural, operational, and economic underpinnings of microfinance make it distinct from the areas of private credit currently under pressure.

Portfolio performance in inclusive finance is closely linked to how well financial services support clients’ everyday financial needs. The story below offers a snapshot of how one borrower of the Small Enterprise Foundation (SEF) has used microfinance to strengthen her household’s stability.

Zurich, February 2026: Enabling Qapital marks the first anniversary of the EQ Emerging Markets Sustainable Bond Fund Strategy, a milestone that underscores the commitment to sustainable finance, robust risk management, and innovative portfolio construction with investments from Swiss and Finnish Institutional Investors as well as Family Offices.

NewGas: Fueling Ghana's clean cooking transition one cylinder at a time.

NewGas Cylinder Bottling Ltd is helping transform how people cook in Ghana. The company is playing a critical role in making clean cooking gas more affordable and safer for families as part of the Government of Ghana’s goal of reaching 3 million households by 2030. With solid funding and government support in changing cooking habits, NewGas is helping to cut emissions, create jobs, and improve health outcomes across the country.

Financial markets in 2025 were shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and rapid shifts in investor sentiment. In that context, microfinance continued to behave differently from traditional asset classes.

Enabling Qapital onboards a new Microfinance Mandate, surpasses USD 800 million AUM and expanding its reach to more than half a million end clients in emerging markets.

Emerging Market Debt (EMD) is no longer just a high-yield play, it’s becoming a cornerstone of sustainable finance. As investors seek both impact and performance, integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into EMD strategies is essential. Within the European Union’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), Article 9 sets the benchmark for what qualifies as a truly sustainable investment. But applying these standards in emerging markets presents unique challenges and opportunities.

In today’s evolving macro landscape, investors are increasingly re-evaluating the traditional boundaries between Emerging Market Debt (EMD) and Developed Market Debt (DMD).

As global markets recalibrate in response to climate urgency, geopolitical shifts, and evolving investor expectations, Sustainable Emerging Market Bonds are emerging as a strategic asset class combining resilience, impact, and return. Here’s why now is a timely inflection point.

Microfinance is about more than just lending - it plays a crucial role in financial inclusion, creating significant impacts in underserved communities. In the world of finance, microfinance stands out as a powerful tool for economic empowerment. However, one aspect often raises questions among investors and observers alike: the interest rates.

Why Enabling Qapital?

Joining Enabling Qapital allows me to align my financial expertise with my goal of driving positive social impact. I believe in the power of well-structured investments to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and foster sustainable economic growth. EQ's approach positions it as a leader in the evolving financial landscape, offering the ideal environment for innovation. Additionally, I'm excited about supporting progress in Latin America, a region rich in potential, through impact-driven investments that contribute to sustainable growth and align with the SDGs.

The Client Protection Principles (CPPs) filled a critical gap in responsible finance by providing a practical framework developed by practitioners for real-world implementation. These principles help financial institutions establish systems for fair treatment, transparency, and accountability in their operations.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) were founded with a clear purpose: to provide access to financial services for underserved communities - often low-income, informal, or rural clients - who are typically excluded from traditional banking. As MFIs grow, they adapt their services to meet evolving needs, and the clients they serve, ideally growing alongside them.

In many markets where microfinance institutions (MFIs) operate, borrowers may encounter a range of funding sources - from informal lenders to government-subsidized banks. Yet despite the apparent variety, most of these alternatives are either inaccessible, unaffordable, or unreliable for low-income clients. The consistent preference for microfinance reveals a deeper story about what underserved borrowers actually need and why MFIs remain vital to advancing financial inclusion.

The promise of microfinance once seemed revolutionary: small loans could lift millions out of poverty and transform entire communities. Today, after decades of implementation and rigorous evaluation, we understand that the reality is more nuanced - and perhaps more valuable - than those early aspirations suggested.

Areas of Expertise

Financial Manager with over 12 years of experience in fiduciary and financial accounting. Skilled in budgeting, reporting, and cost control, with a strong focus on accuracy, compliance, and process improvement.

Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement opens new pathways for countries to cooperate on climate action through carbon markets – enabling the transfer of emission reductions across borders. By applying this mechanism to the clean cooking sector, countries like Ghana can unlock innovative finance, reduce emissions, and improve public health at scale.

Why EQ?

Joining Enabling Qapital allows me to align my financial expertise with my goal of driving positive social impact. I believe in the power of well-structured investments to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and foster sustainable economic growth. EQ's approach positions it as a leader in the evolving financial landscape, offering the ideal environment for innovation. Additionally, I'm excited about supporting progress in Latin America, a region rich in potential, through impact-driven investments that contribute to sustainable growth and align with the SDGs.

[Zurich, March 12th 2025] – Enabling Qapital (EQ), has been selected as an Emerging Impact Manager in the ImpactAssets 50™ (IA 50) 2025, a highly respected resource highlighting fund managers at the forefront of impact investing.

Why Enabling Qapital?

The people! Apart from the opportunity, I found everyone to be transparent and thoughtful.

Enabling Qapital, an impact asset manager dedicated to financial inclusion and access to energy, recently held a webinar on Advancing Gender-Lens Finance with our portfolio companies. The session highlighted how financial institutions can move beyond traditional approaches to create lasting economic inclusion and participation.

In the ever-evolving landscape of private equity (PE), secondary investments have emerged as a significant strategy, particularly in emerging markets (EM) and developing countries. These markets present a unique combination of high growth potential and challenging conditions, making secondary PE investments an attractive option for investors looking to balance risk and return. However, the path to successful secondary investments in these regions is not just about financial performance; it is also about responsible exit strategies that ensure sustainable impact. This article explores the dynamics of secondary PE investments in emerging and developing countries, outlines the importance of responsible exits, and connects these concepts to additionality.

Discover how Kashf Foundation is transforming lives and enabling financial independence in Karachi, Pakistan. Meet Mehmooda Kanwal, a skilled artisan who has turned her passion for sewing into a thriving business.