Technically required cookies
These cookies are mandatory for basic functions of the OeEB website.
With USD 30 million, OeEB is among the anchor investors in the world's largest gender investment fund. The Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) provides responsible financial services for underserved women as well as women-owned and women-led businesses in developing markets. This way, the fund contributes to closing the USD 1.7 trillion financing gap for women entrepreneurs in developing countries.
| Project name | Global Gender-Smart Fund (GGSF) |
| Region | supra-regional |
| Sector | Financial sector / Microfinance / SME |
| Service | Investment Finance |
| OeEB project volume | USD 30.5 million |
| International climate finance according to UNFCCC | No |
| Additionality | Financial additionality |
| Fund domicile | Luxembourg |
| Projekt partner(s) | Global Gender-Smart Fund SA, SICAV-SIF |
The GGSF was created through the further development of the Microfinance Enhancement Facility (MEF), which was founded in 2009 and provided liquidity to the microfinance sector in developing countries. Based on MEF's experience, the fund was re-invented as the "Global Gender-Smart Fund" (GGSF) in 2024 and now focuses on investments that promote gender equality.
In addition, a technical assistance facility has been set up to support partner financial institutions in the development and implementation of specific gender equality action plans.
Alongside OeEB, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German development bank KfW, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and M&G Investments are invested in the fund.
Innpact Fund Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Innpact S.A. specializing in impact finance, acts as alternative investment fund manager. The portfolio is managed by Incofin, responsAbility and Triple Jump, all leading impact investing specialists with extensive global experience. Technical support will be provided by a global consortium formed by NIRAS A/S and Women's World Banking, both gender specialists with extensive experience in implementing projects to promote gender equality.