Creating Markets tells the behind-the-scenes stories of the people, trends, and ideas that are driving private sector investment in developing countries, reshaping economies, creating jobs, and addressing development challenges. It is produced by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a sister organization of the World Bank, and a member of the World Bank Group.
S2 E8: The Case for Diversity with Soula Proxenos
In the final episode of Season 2 of Creating Markets, we talk to professional board member Soula Proxenos about what it means to lead both from inside and outside of a company. We learn where she found her fighting spirit and why it is important to have not only women, but a diversity of people represented and listened to at the highest level of an organization. Proxenos tells us why diversity is very good for business. IFC’s Trailblazer’s report IFC’s Women on Boards and in Business Leadership program
12/22/2021 • 20 minutes, 15 seconds
S2 E7: Creating Digital Safe Spaces for Women featuring Sairee Chahal
In this episode of Creating Markets, IFC speaks with Sairee Chahal, the CEO and founder of Sheroes, a women’s only social network. Born out of a legacy of women-only spaces in India, with the Sheroes platform, Sairee’s goal is to create peer-to-peer networking across a range of topics from financial literacy to health and wellbeing. She tackles the challenge of making a safe space for women in the digital age, and notes that when women are included financially, economies perform better. The Sheroes Platform founded by Sairee Chahal IFC’s work in India
12/8/2021 • 26 minutes, 11 seconds
S2, E6: Funding “hidden gems” in Africa featuring AECF’s Victoria Sabula
As the CEO of the African Economic Challenge Fund, Victoria Sabula looks for innovative companies to fund. In this episode, IFC speaks with Sabula about what it means to support local businesses across Africa, what investment can do for a community and how to get more African businesses “investor ready.” AECF Africa IFC’s SME Finance The Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund
11/24/2021 • 21 minutes, 15 seconds
S2, E5: Connecting Brands to Buyers in Latin America - featuring Santiago Sosa
In this episode of Creating Markets, IFC speaks with Santiago Sosa, co-founder of the online commerce platform Nuvemshop about what it takes to start an online business and how to scale it. We also speak about the opportunities for growth and investment in Latin America and how to support small business owners so they can thrive. Santiago Sosa’s platform, Nuvemshop SME Finance IFC in Latin America and the Caribbean
11/10/2021 • 17 minutes, 9 seconds
S2, E4: How Creative Financing can Connect Africa featuring Andile Ngcaba
In this episode of Creating Markets, IFC speaks with Andile Ngcaba, the chairman of Convergence Partners, a private equity fund that specializes in information and communications technology (ICT). He talks about impact investing and the rewards that have come from decades on the ground building digital infrastructure across the African continent. He also shares the exciting future ahead for a continent that is fast becoming digital. Andile Ngcaba’s Private Equity firm Convergence Partners A global initiative to connect every school to the internet A pan African cloud-based digital service provider Africa’s first broadband submarine cable IFC’s work on disruptive technologies and venture capital
10/27/2021 • 20 minutes, 45 seconds
S2, E3: A bank for women in India featuring Chetna Sinha
In this episode, IFC speaks to Chetna Sinha, founder of Mann Deshi Mahila Cooperative Bank, a bank in India aimed at rural women. Chetna speaks to us about what financial literacy means for women, why it’s important to have access to a bank account, and what financial institutions can do to empower women in India. Chetna Sinha’s bank for women in India IFC’s Work on Gender in South Asia IFC’s work on microfinance
10/13/2021 • 20 minutes, 58 seconds
S2, E2: Decentralizing Health Care in Ghana - Featuring Redbird’s Patrick Beattie
In this episode, IFC speaks with Patrick Beattie, the co-founder, and CEO of health tech company Redbird. We talk to Patrick about what drew him to work in West Africa, what it means to decentralize the health-care system, and how to help patients manage chronic disease by putting them in the driver's seat. For more information about this episode visit: Patrick Beattie’s Company Redbird IFC’s Work in Health Newtown Partners Founders Factory Africa
9/29/2021 • 22 minutes, 47 seconds
S2, E1: Designing Green Buildings for Better Livelihoods
IFC talks to Sarah El Battouty, the founder of one of Egypt’s leading environmental design and auditing companies, ECOnsult. In this episode, she talks about charting her own path away from her family’s expectations, and making green buildings affordable, accessible, and respected in Egypt. For more information about this episode, see: Sarah El Battouty’s company Egypt’s leading green building consultancy Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) IFC’s work in the Middle East and North Africa
