World Bank Group

Disposal of interests in Acacia Estates and Bora Africa to the group’s development subsidiary, Gateway Real Estate Africa

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Another part of the Grit 2.0 strategy is to organise the Group's real estate assets into logical sector groupings.

Key Points: 
  • Another part of the Grit 2.0 strategy is to organise the Group's real estate assets into logical sector groupings.
  • Bora Africa has a pipeline of predominantly development opportunities, which GSL does not currently have the capital to develop.
  • of the enlarged issued share capital in Bora Africa (the "Bora Subscription") for an aggregate subscription price of US$9,999 (the "Bora Subscription Price").
  • Following the Bora Investment, Bora Africa will use the proceeds to repay the GSL/Bora Loan in full.

VCI Global’s Real Estate Arm Acquires Impiana Private Villas Kata Noi in Phuket, Thailand

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Upon VCI Global’s acquisition of the leasing rights for an approximately 2,902 square meters land area in Karon Sub-District, Muang Phuket District, Phuket Province, Thailand, the Company secures Impiana Private Villas Kata Noi, Phuket along with all its associated assets.

Key Points: 
  • Upon VCI Global’s acquisition of the leasing rights for an approximately 2,902 square meters land area in Karon Sub-District, Muang Phuket District, Phuket Province, Thailand, the Company secures Impiana Private Villas Kata Noi, Phuket along with all its associated assets.
  • Impiana Private Villas Kata Noi comprises 11 villas, covering 1,085 square meters, occupying less than 40% of its land area.
  • Aligned with our strategy to explore opportunities in the Southeast Asia hospitality sector, we consider the acquisition of Impiana Private Villas Kata Noi a strategic investment.
  • We anticipate further prospects in hospitality, fostering growth of our subsidiary, V Capital Real Estate Sdn Bhd.”

Plastic Collective attracts landmark fundraising to tackle plastic pollution

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024

This innovative bond provides investors a financial return linked to Plastic Waste Collection Credits, Plastic Waste Recycling Credits (collectively, plastic credits), and Voluntary Carbon Units (carbon credits) expected to be generated by two projects.

Key Points: 
  • This innovative bond provides investors a financial return linked to Plastic Waste Collection Credits, Plastic Waste Recycling Credits (collectively, plastic credits), and Voluntary Carbon Units (carbon credits) expected to be generated by two projects.
  • The funding will help Plastic Collective’s mission to rid the world of plastic waste by channeling private capital to support plastic collection and recycling projects in remote and vulnerable communities to access sustainable finance and address extreme plastic leakage into nature and oceans.
  • The emergence of plastic credits, coupled with continuing education and effort to cut plastic use offer a prime opportunity to tackle this pressing environmental and social challenge.
  • Our collective effort innovatively uses VERRA-registered plastic credits to support two projects to reduce plastic pollution -- a huge global challenge with particularly devastating impacts on emerging markets.

Universal ID Council (UIDC) Launches to Address the Global Identification Crisis

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 19, 2024

This global crisis has resulted in devastating human rights violations and an unjust financial system.

Key Points: 
  • This global crisis has resulted in devastating human rights violations and an unjust financial system.
  • In response, the Universal ID Council (UIDC) was founded by human rights activists, identity experts and technology innovators to address this critical issue.
  • The nonprofit foundation is focused on the need for a global, decentralized, universal ID program that provides secure, accessible, and widely recognized forms of identification, which are a pre-requisite for participating in the global financial system.
  • "Our vision is a financial system rooted in equity and self-sovereignty, empowered by a Universal ID Program.

Allied Climate Partners Makes Inaugural Catalytic Investment, Anchors SEACEF II First Close

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Climate Partners (ACP), the innovative philanthropic investment organization recently launched at COP28 , today celebrated the first close of the Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund II (SEACEF II), managed by Clime Capital .

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Climate Partners (ACP), the innovative philanthropic investment organization recently launched at COP28 , today celebrated the first close of the Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund II (SEACEF II), managed by Clime Capital .
  • "Managed by Clime Capital, SEACEF II will provide the catalytic capital required for early-stage developers and businesses to deliver renewable energy, energy efficiency, and grid solutions across the region.
  • Allied Climate Partners is proud to be the anchor junior equity investor in SEACEF II, providing SEACEF II with catalytic, first-loss, capital and working alongside Clime Capital to mobilize other investors to participate.
  • As with SEACEF II, ACP anticipates providing catalytic, junior equity to initial investment managers in Africa, the Caribbean & Central America, and India.

Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya appoints Professor Patrick Verkooijen as Chancellor of the University of Nairobi

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 12, 2024

Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya has appointed Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, as Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.

Key Points: 
  • Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. William Ruto, President of Kenya has appointed Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, as Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
  • Commenting on the announcement, the president said: “I am thrilled that Professor Verkooijen will be leading the nation’s premier educational institution.
  • The University of Nairobi is and will be, during my watch, the pre-eminent incubator for African talent.”
    Professor Amukowa Anangwe, Chair of the University of Nairobi said: “It is great to have Professor Patrick Verkooijen as the new Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
  • The university community looks forward to realizing that ambition.”
    Professor Stephen Kiama, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi said: “I want to thank Professor Verkooijen for accepting to serve as the Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.

No Gimmicks, No Marketing Stunts, Just Bitcoin: Introducing the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 11, 2024

Valkyrie Investments Inc. (“Valkyrie”), a specialized digital asset investment management company, is proud to announce the launch of the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (NASDAQ: BRRR) (the “Fund”), which is sponsored by Valkyrie’s subsidiary, Valkyrie Digital Assets LLC (the “Sponsor”).

Key Points: 
  • Valkyrie Investments Inc. (“Valkyrie”), a specialized digital asset investment management company, is proud to announce the launch of the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (NASDAQ: BRRR) (the “Fund”), which is sponsored by Valkyrie’s subsidiary, Valkyrie Digital Assets LLC (the “Sponsor”).
  • The Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund is an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) that invests in bitcoin, giving investors sophisticated but simplified access to the digital commodity without the hassle that comes with accessing bitcoin via other methods.
  • I am exceptionally proud to see this fund live and trading – it’s a remarkable milestone for digital assets and for Valkyrie,” says Leah Wald, CEO of Valkyrie.
  • “This is just the beginning of a new wave and we’re proud to be leaders in delivering a breakthrough product with big plans ahead.”
    To learn more, or invest, in the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund, click here .

MobilePhysics Unveils the First-ever Real-time Environment Monitoring Toolkit for Smartphones at CES

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 8, 2024

By leveraging existing sensors and extracting information from a phone’s immediate surroundings, MobilePhysics transforms any smartphone into a “personal envirometer” utilizing computational physics and AI.

Key Points: 
  • By leveraging existing sensors and extracting information from a phone’s immediate surroundings, MobilePhysics transforms any smartphone into a “personal envirometer” utilizing computational physics and AI.
  • MobilePhysics solution is equipped with the capabilities to measure air quality, smoke levels, temperature, UV exposure, and other environmental parameters and alert users in real-time.
  • Co-founders Dr. Erez Weinroth and Matan Guter are experts in environmental modeling and atmospheric science, and big data and algorithms, respectively.
  • The MobilePhysics software collects localized environmental metrics using multiple sensors on a user’s smartphone and then analyzes them to accurately report hyper-local conditions.

CoBank Releases 2024 Year Ahead Report – Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023

However, lingering high prices are expected to take a bigger toll on the economy in 2024, according to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange .

Key Points: 
  • However, lingering high prices are expected to take a bigger toll on the economy in 2024, according to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange .
  • That will create stronger headwinds for the U.S. economy in 2024.”
    The CoBank 2024 outlook report examines several key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities throughout the U.S.
  • Global growth in 2023 is estimated at around 2.5% and the consensus is for a continued slowdown in 2024.
  • The broadband market will continue to be a bright spot for the U.S. economy in 2024.

Release by Scatec partners with IFC for clean and affordable power to Africa

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

13 December 2023: Release by Scatec (Release), has signed a USD 100 million loan agreement with the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Key Points: 
  • 13 December 2023: Release by Scatec (Release), has signed a USD 100 million loan agreement with the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC).
  • Release operates on a unique leasing model, providing flexible short- or long-term contracts for the mining and utilities market, primarily in Africa, based on modular, movable and redeployable equipment.
  • The purpose of the guarantee facility is to guarantee payments to Release from the counterparties leasing the solar and battery equipment.
  • The partnership with IFC will thereby represent a significant catalyst for further growth of the Release platform.