Private Sector Funding Research Articles

Approaches, enablers and barriers to govern the private sector in health in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

IntroductionThe private sector plays a substantial role in delivering and financing healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Supporting governments to govern the private sector effectively, and so improve outcomes...

The challenges of installing Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) in a low- or poor-income resource nation: Our experience in a teaching hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa

The practice of radiology as a subspecialty of medicine has undergone remarkable advancement as a result of picture archiving and communication Systems(PACS) technology. This technology allows for storage and retrieval of radiographic images and reports at any time, and possible transfer to other locations for secondary viewing and opinions. PACS enables healthcare professionals to access and review medical images quickly, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. However, there are challenges involved in its installation and operations in our health facility, a teaching hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa. These challenges range from lack of huge financial resources required to acquire PACS equipment and accessories to lack of steady and regular electric power supply. Other challenges include inadequate dedicated space for its installation, inadequate functional cooling systems for its sensitive components, inadequate internet services for end users and paucity of qualified and trained personnel. There is, therefore, need for increased government and private sector funding in order to surmount these challenges, thereby enhancing health promotion in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Infrastructure Investment and Finance in the Global South: Private Participation and Its Determinants

While the public sector is traditionally the sole provider for much of infrastructure, the pendulum is shifting in light of the enormous investment gap. Across the Global South, public utilities and planning agencies are engaging with the private sector to help bridge the gap. What are the key patterns of private participation in infrastructure (PPI) across countries in the Global South? What macro factors underscore such private participation? These research questions motivate this paper, focusing on five infrastructure sectors across the Global South and its regions. Following a historical synthesis of the changing balance of public and private provision, the paper outlines recent patterns of PPI. Drawing from a World Bank database, a regression analysis includes key macro-level predictors for private sector financing, for both the number of projects and stock of investment. Key results point to the importance of market size and in turn the potential for risk diversification, as well as a set of governance factors underlining investor confidence and stable environment.

Financing trends of trade and logistics sector in developing countries:the case of Azerbaijan

Object: The banking sector of Azerbaijan plays an important role in the stimulation of the economic development with a special accent to the sphere of the trade and logistics. This study touches on how the area augments economic growth largely through the adoption of the smart governmental interventions with the integration of digital advancements. Methods: Applying the mixed-method approach, which entails both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, and taking data ranging from 2010 to 2022 from State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan, World Bank and other financial reports and documents, the study set out to reveal main financial flows in sectors of overall economy of Azerbaijan. It tests the banking sector's finiding through the calculation of amount loaned to GDP, prudential lending with the ability to identify risks and thus contribute to the stability of the financial system and the subsidization of some financial services, especially in the rural areas. Findings: The evaluation follows this up with an assessment of the performance of the private sector financing in this context, and how once substantial credit programs can be used in the betterment of the transport and logistics sector, among other things. Conclusions: The research which merges macroeconomic factors with sector-specific details puts the emphasis on more favourable financing mechanisms to catalyse the exceptional growth in this township and suggests that we look constantly for pathways through complexities of economic development, logistics, and complexities.

Strengthening the family planning component of maternal health care: A new call to action to seize the opportunity provided by universal health coverage and primary healthcare frameworks.

SynopsisScaling up postpartum and postabortion family planning requires stronger health system stewardship, community and private sector engagement, measurement, and financing. Maternal health leadership is essential.

Long-Term Energy System Modelling for a Clean Energy Transition and Improved Energy Security in Botswana’s Energy Sector Using the Open-Source Energy Modelling System

This research examines Botswana’s significant reliance on coal and imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, contributing to high carbon emissions and energy insecurity influenced by volatile fuel prices and supply challenges. The study utilizes the Open-Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) to explore cost-effective renewable energy strategies to meet Botswana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and enhance energy security by 2050, analysing six scenarios: Least Cost (LC), Business-As-Usual (BAU), Net Zero by 2050 (NZ), Coal Phase Out by 2045 (CPO), Fossil Fuel Phase Out by 2045 (FFPO), and Import Phase Out by 2045 (IMPPO). Our key findings highlight the critical role of solar technologies—photovoltaic (PV), storage, and concentrated solar power (CSP)—in transitioning to a sustainable energy future, especially under the Net Zero and Import Phase Out scenarios. This research demonstrates the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels, with the Fossil Fuel Phase Out scenario yielding a USD 31 million saving over the Business-As-Usual approach and reducing investment costs by USD 2 billion, albeit with a slight increase in light fuel oil imports. The study underscores the need for substantial capital investments, particularly in the Net Zero and Import Phase Out scenarios, necessitating private sector financing. Policy recommendations include adopting detailed strategies for solar PV and storage expansion, updating renewable energy targets, phasing out coal and natural gas, and bolstering the regulatory framework. These strategies are crucial for Botswana to achieve decarbonization and energy independence, aligning with global climate goals and national energy security objectives.

GREENER IS CHEAPER: AN EXAMPLE FROM OFFSHORE WIND FARMS

Abstract Offshore wind farms (OWF) are now in operation and increasingly under construction as scalable, sustainable energy sources. In fact OWFs are currently the cheapest form of new energy projects in Europe. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for OWF has fallen drastically due to decades of innovation facilitated by both taxpayer and private sector funding. This emerging industry is experiencing massive worldwide growth with the potential to accelerate the decarbonization of regional and the global economy as well as bring a reliable source of green hydrogen into commercial use, all with minimal disruption to ecosystems and impacts on biodiversity. This paper provides a historical perspective of wind energy harnessing and shows that wind turbines are the oldest, largest and one of the smartest machines. We also highlight the potential of offshore wind energy to provide new solutions to (a) meet clean energy demand for a growing world population, (b) improve energy security of nations through other downstream technologies such as production and storage of dispatchable fuel (such as green hydrogen battery storage) and (c) through supply complementarity improve resilience of nuclear power plants in high-seismic-activity areas. Offshore wind industry can also become a gold standard for future industries, and the paper provides insights into the new green economics and jobs and factories for the future. We show that environment-friendly regulation is driving innovations even further to enhance sustainability of OWF. Examples include material recycling, landfill ban on blade disposal and ecofriendly low-noise offshore construction to protect biodiversity.

Managing the agroforestry – landscape restoration nexus: lessons from indigenous tree domestication in Cameroon

ABSTRACT The long-term contributions of agroforestry to landscape restoration should be carefully managed. Agroforestry began as early as 1977, meanwhile, landscape restoration, gained traction after the 2011 Bonn Challenge. Since missing the 2020 Bonn Challenge targets, there’s urgency to hit 2030 ambitions and secure the gains later. We use here, the participatory domestication of Irvingia wombolu, as an agroforestry pathway to mosaic landscape restoration. This paper describes the transfer of planting materials of this species between two agroecological regions of Cameroon. Over a twenty-year period; 2003 to 2023. we analyze the steps; reflections; performance of the transferred materials; and mixed fortunes they brought to beneficiary communities. A number of lessons emerge for agroforestry and landscape restoration practices; (i) there is need for future technical and social safeguarding, to support vulnerable segments of beneficiary communities; (ii) the cost of safeguarding should be anticipated; (iii) as the ‘decade of restoration’, looms models are necessary to anticipate the future; (iv) user-friendly models of ecosystem services of agroforestry systems are needed to leverage private sector funding; and (v) a ‘maintenance mentality’ and mechanism for restored landscapes, need to be developed.

The Impact of Financial Development and Economic Growth on Renewable Energy Supply in South Africa

Eskom’s power plants in South Africa face frequent breakdowns due to a lack of maintenance and increasing energy demand. The high dependence of South Africa on coal for power generation, which is a resource that significantly contributes to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that impact the environment negatively, could be reduced by considering renewable energy sources. Renewable energy supply, dependent on private sector funding and economic growth, is seen as a solution to energy and environmental problems. The study aimed to examine if financial development and economic growth impact renewable energy supply in South Africa and to discover if co-integration exists between these variables, including the variables defined as the determinants of renewable energy supply, namely: CO2 emission by coal power generation; secondly, coal electricity supply; thirdly, coal price changes; and lastly, load shedding levels. The research gap identified for the study is twofold. Firstly, there is a lack of research on the relationship between renewable energy supply, financial development, and economic growth, specifically in South Africa. Furthermore, the existing research on these variables in other countries has produced inconclusive results. Secondly, minimal research has been conducted on how economic growth impacts renewable energy supply in emerging markets. Thus, the present study sought to bridge the gap and contribute to the scientific body of knowledge related to the drivers of renewable energy supply. The autoregression distributed lag (ARDL) model was employed to test if economic growth and financial development have a statistically significant impact on renewable energy supply, as well as to test the direction of the relationship, for an observation period from 1990 to 2021. The results proved that financial development and economic growth were reported to have a statistically significant positive impact on renewable energy supply in the long run and the short run. A study on the relationship between financial development, economic growth, and renewable energy supply in South Africa can influence policy reforms and assist the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and the government in developing and implementing renewable energy policies that encourage the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure to increase renewable energy supply, particularly regarding factors associated with addressing challenges in financial development and economic growth.

Scaling Up Private Sector Financing for Climate Change Adaptation in Zimbabwe: A Brief Literature Review

Developing countries such as Zimbabwe that are highly vulnerable to climate change, are struggling to close the funding gap for climate change adaptation largely due to constrained fiscal space, and also the inadequate climate finance flows from developed countries. This article reviews the existing literature relevant to closing the climate finance gap in Zimbabwe through scaling up funding from the private sector funding. The literature shows that current private sector flows for climate finance are far below what is required to meet the needs of the country. The paper presents literature review findings, and also identifies solutions for unlocking more domestic private sector finance for climate change adaptation. The findings of the study contribute towards informing government policy on climate change particularly with regards to the mobilization of additional finance.

From concept to practice: financing sustainable blue economy in Small Island Developing States, lessons learnt from the Seychelles experience

Despite an international enthusiasm for private capital to meet the financing gap in sustainable development, private sector finance for sustainable development and blue economy is still a very small percentage of global investment. Repurposed bonds and debt for nature swaps have gaining support with policy makers, international organizations, and investors keen to align their investment with global goals and borrowing countries with large ocean domains seeking new sources of finance.The paper explores how those trends have generated new financing opportunities for Small Islands Developing States, a group internationally recognized vulnerable countries, using Seychelles experience in blue economy development and financing through a blue bond and a debt swap. Based on interviews of local and international actors selected for their engagement in Seychelles blue economy finance, the research showed both global and local drivers and challenges to successfully attracting and delivering on private finance.A favorable global policy and financing climate, international partners with technical expertise and ability to di-risk private investment, political will and stability, clarity of national priorities, accountable institutions and sound financial management were key factors in Seychelles’ success in securing private finance. However, implementation challenges were identified, from improved access to affordable finance to the strengthening the local enabling environment and private sector capabilities.High level of indebtedness and structural vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) combined with the inequality of the global financing architecture, which favors creditors over borrowers’ needs, remain key challenges to address the financing gap identified by the global community. Stronger SIDS voices in financing fora are needed to ensure the fair and equitable financing of sustainable blue economy.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Research Landscape in Human-Computer Interaction in Ibero-America

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a research discipline that optimizes human-machine interfaces. Ibero-America has become a leading region in HCI advances adapted to its unique socioeconomic environment. However, a global characterization of the research landscape for this discipline in the region still needs to be improved. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the scientific literature on HCI in Ibero-America using bibliometric techniques, identifying key authors, institutions, conceptual structure, and research trends. The methodology employed consisted of a bibliometric analysis of 9812 documents from 1990-2023 from Scopus and Web of Science. The data were analyzed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer for statistical and network analysis. The results revealed that Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, and Colombia are at the forefront of HCI research in the region, with more than 90 % of total publications experiencing an annual growth rate of approximately 14.6 %, driven by strong international collaborations. Key topics are human-computer interaction, virtual reality, augmented reality, and video games, while education is one of the main application areas. The main conclusion is that the HCI research landscape in Ibero-America is characterized by rapid evolution, international integration, and conceptual diversity, indicative of a mature and interdisciplinary field that responds to regional demands. The advancement of the field could be driven by increased private-sector funding. Future system designs in the region should prioritize cultural sensitivity and inclusion.

Financing Trends of Trade and Logistics Sector in Developing Countries: the Case of Azerbaijan

The banking sector of Azerbaijan plays an important role in the stimulation of the economic development with a special accent to the sphere of the trade and logistics. This study touches on how the area augments economic growth largely through the adoption of the smart governmental interventions with the integration of digital advancements. Applying the mixed-method approach, which entails both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, and taking data ranging from 2010 to 2022 from State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan, World Bank and other financial reports and documents, the study set out to reveal main financial flows in sectors of overall economy of Azerbaijan. It tests the banking sector's finiding through the calculation of amount loaned to GDP, prudential lending with the ability to identify risks and thus contribute to the stability of the financial system and the subsidization of some financial services, especially in the rural areas. The evaluation follows this up with an assessment of the performance of the private sector financing in this context, and how once substantial credit programs can be used in the betterment of the transport and logistics sector, among other things. The research which merges macroeconomic factors with sector-specific details puts the emphasis on more favourable financing mechanisms to catalyse the exceptional growth in this township and suggests that we look constantly for pathways through complexities of economic development, logistics, and complexities.

Exploring Funds: A Mitigation towards Sustaining the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme

The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is expected to improve the human capital development of the region and the country, which is presently low. Hence, the study investigated exploring funding mitigation for sustaining the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme. The study critically examined the role of private sector funding to the amnesty programme. The study was anchored on public-private partnership theory with the assertion that a philosophical approach to actualizing infrastructure services by leveraging private capital, know-how, and effectiveness while merging the advantages of the public and private sectors. The study adopted a qualitative approach for data collection. An in-depth interview (IDI) was used for data collection. The populations of the study were ex-militants in the Niger Delta state. The sample size is 15 ex-militants in the Niger Delta who have benefited from the amnesty programme. The IDI questions were structured in line with the two research questions. The findings revealed that private sector funding of the Niger Delta amnesty programmeme in the region would lead to continuity of the programmeme's burden of funding on the part of the federal and various states. It concluded that there is a need for the federal and state governments to seek funding from the private sector in areas of manpower training and reintegration of trained ex-militants into the world of work with appropriate functional skills. It was recommended that the government sensitise the public and private sector companies, in particular, to the need for support through funding in terms of financial or material goods that will help enhance the programme.

Private Sector Financing of Public Infrastructure, Exchange Rate Dynamics and, Economic Growth Process in Nigeria

This study examined the nexus between private sector financing of public infrastructure, exchange rate dynamics and economic growth in Nigeria through the application of unit root, cointegration test, and granger causality. The result of the cointegration techniques suggests the existence of long run relationship among the variables. Granger causality result show that economic growth plays a pivotal role in driving infrastructure investment. However, the immediate feedback loop from infrastructure investment to economic growth is less clear, possibly due to the time lag inherent in the realization of infrastructure benefits. Other economic factors like interest rates, exchange rates, inflation, and FDI are influenced by broader macroeconomic and global conditions, showing less direct causality with infrastructure investment and economic growth in the short term. It is therefore recommended that Government at all levels must promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to leverage private sector expertise and financing in infrastructure projects. Clear and transparent PPP frameworks will attract more private investments. Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should carefully manage interest rates to balance economic growth with inflation control. High interest rates can deter private investment, so a balanced approach is necessary

Scaling up Private Sector Financing for Climate Change Adaptation: A Mixed Method Study of Microfinance Institutions in Zimbabwe

Scaling up Private Sector Financing for Climate Change Adaptation: A Mixed Method Study of Microfinance Institutions in Zimbabwe

Impact of Socioeconomic Globalization and Institutional Quality on Human Capital Development in Nepal: A Markov Regime Switching Analysis

Human capital development is a catalyst for the economic growth of a nation. This study employed the Markov regime-switching model to examine the impact of socioeconomic globalization and institutional quality on human capital development in Nepal, using data from 1980 to 2018. The findings revealed that social globalization promotes human capital development in Nepal, whereas institutional quality impedes it. Additionally, economic globalization either negatively impacted or did not significantly contribute to human capital development in both regimes. Financial development was found to severely hamper human capital development, while inflation had a positive effect in both regimes. The results offer insights that the quality of institutions within the globalized context of Nepal is crucial for enhancing human capital development. This improvement could stimulate private-sector financing and alleviate the crowding-out effects of government spending and policy shifts. Consequently, the policy implication of this research is that Nepal should prioritize enhancing institutional quality and fostering social globalization while addressing the adverse effects of economic globalization and financial development to bolster human capital development.

How Green Banks can create multiple types of value in the transition to net zero emissions

AbstractCurrent levels of investment are insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and private sector funding shortfalls are acute. Despite this, little research has been undertaken into Green Banks, a new form of institution which mixes public and private institutional logics to mobilise additional private investment in the net zero transition. This paper examines how hybridity manifests in Green Banks and the ways these institutions create value through their investments. We adopt a mixed method, case study approach, combining primary document study with interviews, to elicit information on different forms of hybrid governance and value creation in four Green Banks (located in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States). We find some commonalities in how hybridity manifests between cases (e.g. combining public knowledge sharing logics with private investment logics), but also significant differences (e.g. in investment focus), as policymakers adapt organisational governance to suit jurisdictional circumstances. Green Banks are perceived to create value beyond their core financial roles, including knowledge spillovers, social equity benefits, and enhanced energy security. Current evaluation approaches focus on financial metrics and often exclude these broader areas of value creation. Development of additional value capture metrics could make Green Bank contributions more visible.Points for practitioners Green Banks are hybrid organisations that seek to accelerate investments in low carbon infrastructure. Green Banks aim to mobilise additional private finance to investments which would otherwise not occur, due to economic, social, or political barriers. Green Banks demonstrate different forms of organisational hybridity and value creation at national, state, and local levels. At present, the value created by Green Banks, particularly investments in disadvantaged communities, is not fully captured through investment evaluation processes. The net zero transition is an opportunity to develop new forms of investment governance and evaluation which moves beyond capturing financial value to capture the value of investments more effectively.

Systematic Literature Review of Sustainable Finance: Implications for Entrepreneurial Finance through Venture Capitals (VC)

The idea of sustainable development as a whole gave rise to the concept of sustainable finance in recent decades. It illustrates how financial markets address the current and upcoming economic, social, and environmental issues. This study reviews the literature on sustainable finance and how it relates to venture capital and entrepreneurial finance research topics. As part of the research process, a Systematic and methodical assessment and analysis of the literature was carried out. The results present comprehensive summaries of the main themes and frameworks, as well as the opportunities, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of the fields. It also highlights the interaction between sustainable finance and venture capital in supporting innovation and sustainability in entrepreneurship. The main paper's contribution is to identify sustainable finance as a process that operates at multiple levels. It indicates that a shift in the financial paradigm from profit maximization to sustainability facilitation is required to attain sustainable development at the level of private financial markets and sustainable entrepreneurship. According to the findings, venture capital funds are major participants in the private financial sector, supporting entrepreneurial startups and playing a key role in sustainable finance by promoting a culture of innovation, resource efficiency, and sustainability among entrepreneurial ventures. The paper cites critical review as the source of these arguments. Finally, through applying this comprehensive critical analysis, several gaps in the existing literature have been identified and discussed.

What is preventing private capital from reaching local climate action?

Private sector investable assets totalling USD 35.3 trillion globally are currently bound by at least one environmental, social and governance (ESG) criterion, 1 and could be targeted to deliver responses to the environmental crisis and subsequent devastating impact on vulnerable communities. However private sector finance for climate resilience and nature recovery is reported to be either moving very slowly, or not at all. 2 So what is the hold up? The co-founders of Biodiversity Capital have a longstanding combined history of delivering projects in urban regeneration, as well as green 3 and blue 4 infrastructure, housing and culture across the private and public sector, where financing for projects follows a linear start to finish model with handover to the client on completion. Since the beginning of the 20th century, charities have received funding from either government or philanthropists to deliver programmes against an agreed set of quantifiable targets and outputs. The current crisis on our hands is not static, it is a mix of complex, intertwined social, economic and environmental factors, where long-term stewardship, ultimately unique and very local, is now deemed a fundamental part of the equation from the start. In the light of this, we argue that achieving climate justice will require private finance to embrace the distinctive nature of collaboration between governments and the non-profit sector.