Year 2 Third Quarterly Report

Launched to facilitate USAID's engagement with the private sector, INVEST aims to unlock private investment and drive economic growth. INVEST operates under a research and learning mandate, conducting rapid and constant learning that informs USAID programs and strategies. This approach enables INVEST to adapt to USAID and market needs, making it a flexible and effective tool for addressing development challenges. By leveraging a network of over 175 partners from the investment and development communities, INVEST can access technical and financial expertise to execute on investment opportunities and support productive relationships between USAID and the private sector. INVEST's network of partners spans 13 sectors and 12 countries, with a presence in the United States, Haiti, Tunisia, Liberia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Afghanistan, India, and Indonesia. The initiative has 18 buy-ins from 16 USAID Missions and Operating Units, implementing activities in 12 countries. These buy-ins cover a range of areas, including blended finance, transaction advisory services, and thought leadership. One of INVEST's key strengths is its ability to leverage USAID funding and technical assistance in innovative ways. By working with a diverse range of partners, INVEST can access expertise and resources that support the execution of investment opportunities and the development of productive relationships between USAID and the private sector. This approach has enabled INVEST to achieve significant results, including the completion of 18 buy-ins and the implementation of activities in 12 countries. INVEST's thought leadership pieces have also been widely recognized, with publications in prominent outlets such as Devex, Impact Alpha, and Marketlinks. These pieces provide insights and best practices for blended finance, gender-lens investing, and other development topics, further solidifying INVEST's position as a leader in the field. With its flexible approach, extensive network, and commitment to innovation, INVEST is well-positioned to continue driving economic growth and development in the years to come. The INVEST initiative has also made significant progress in building a blended finance roadmap for USAID/Global Health Bureau and designing a blended financing vehicle for USAID/India's support of WASH, tuberculosis, and the linkages between the environment, energy, and health. Additionally, INVEST has provided transaction advisory support to off-grid energy companies in Kenya and provided legal and finance advisory services to the Government of Haiti on a power concession tender. These efforts demonstrate INVEST's ability to address a range of development challenges and support the achievement of USAID's development goals.