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The Emergence of InfraTech: How AI and Other Digital Technologies are Enabling Climate-Resilient Transportation Infrastructure in LMICs

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The Emergence of InfraTech: How AI and Other Digital Technologies are Enabling Climate-Resilient Transportation Infrastructure in LMICs Approximately 1 billion people worldwide—more than 12% of the global population, equivalent to the combined populations of the U.S. and Europe—do not have access to all-weather roads. Despite decades of investment in transportation infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this gap severely limits year-round access to essential services like education and employment. The problem is especially acute in regions such as Africa, where inadequate road networks hinder farmers from transporting perishable goods to market, leading to post-harvest losses of up to 37%. In an era dominated by AI and digital innovation, it’s easy to overlook how foundational physical infrastructure remains to daily life. Without reliable roads, bridges, and transport systems, even the most advanced technologies cannot fulfill their potential. In LMICs, climate ch...
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Are Impact Investors Really Listening?: Why Capturing Stakeholder Insights is Key to Impactful Investment Strategies

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  Are Impact Investors Really Listening?: Why Capturing Stakeholder Insights is Key to Impactful Investment Strategies Gathering data is straightforward—but turning it into meaningful action is far more challenging. At Acumen and other impact investment firms, this transformation happens deliberately in forums like investment committees, portfolio reviews, and sector gatherings—spaces where input from customers, communities, and other stakeholders directly informs how capital is allocated, risks are assessed, and post-investment priorities are set. For us, “listening” goes beyond surveys or feedback mechanisms. It means engaging in genuine dialogue with company teams to interpret and act on what we learn together. It’s in these conversations that the real value emerges: customer perspectives expose blind spots, spark co-created solutions, and sharpen impact strategies. This collaborative reflection not only improves company performance but also reassures co-investors and limited pa...
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How India’s Non-Bank Financial Companies are Closing the MSME Credit Gap — And What Other Emerging Markets Can Learn from Their Success

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  How India’s Non-Bank Financial Companies are Closing the MSME Credit Gap — And What Other Emerging Markets Can Learn from Their Success Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are widely recognized as the backbone of emerging economies—and for good reason. Globally, they account for roughly 90% of all businesses and employ more than half the global workforce. In emerging markets, formal MSMEs alone contribute up to 40% of GDP and generate 70% of formal jobs—a share that would be substantially higher if informal enterprises and employment were factored in. Despite their critical role in economic development, MSMEs continue to face a persistent financing shortfall. In India, this gap is especially acute. According to a recent report by NITI Aayog—the Indian government’s leading policy think tank—and the Institute for Competitiveness, only 19% of the MSME sector’s credit demand was met through formal channels in fiscal year 2021, leaving an estimated ₹80 trillion in unmet...
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Consultants at a Crossroads in Global Development: New Research Reveals their Challenges — And Highlights Strategies for Navigating the Current Disruption

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  Consultants at a Crossroads in Global Development: New Research Reveals their Challenges — And Highlights Strategies for Navigating the Current Disruption There is broad consensus that the dismantling of USAID in 2025 has inflicted severe damage on global humanitarian and development efforts. Widespread media coverage has detailed how this decision has disrupted thousands of programs and funders worldwide. According to the tracking site **usaidstopwork.com**, over 238,000 jobs linked to USAID and its implementing partners had been lost globally by September 2025. Less visible—but equally affected—are independent development consultants, who rarely appear in official employment statistics. This group includes freelancers and contractors supporting USAID-funded projects, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies, UN bodies, and other development actors. Because there’s no centralized registry for these professionals—and their numbers constantly shift—it’s difficult to quantify thei...
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