UN Capital Development Fund

1966. The @UN General Assembly created the Capital Development Fund with a singular purpose: to unlock finance where risks are high and capital is scarce, first and foremost in LDCs. The challenges are immense. But so is the opportunity.

This week in Geneva, UNCDF discussed how its Strategic Framework can strengthen the UN Development System & why Switzerland's support makes that possible. Core funding is the foundation that makes every catalytic dollar work exponentially harder. Thank you, @SwissDevCoop

UNCDF & @Coopbankenya have signed a $900k guarantee agreement to expand financing for digital platform MSMEs. 🤝 This is part of the DigiKen Programme, funded by @EU_Commission via the @JointSDGFund & led by @UNESCO, with UNCDF, @UNEP, & @UN_Women. 🔗 bit.ly/4lB3ZkS

Yesterday, we hosted a strategic engagement with development partners to share progress and plans for the 10th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo. The meeting focused on advancing sustainable tourism initiatives and exploring collaborative support towards organizing a more impactful and environmentally responsible POATE. We were honoured to engage with representatives from European Union, @EnabelinUganda,@UNESCO , @UNCDF and @UNDPUganda, all key partners in driving sustainable development. #POATE2026 | #Wanderlust | #ExploreUganda

UNDP Ukraine’s Head of Area‑Based Recovery, Ana Lukatela, will join the discussion on how communities can rebuild and strengthen resilience amid ongoing crises. 📅 Today, 18 March 🕘 15:00 Kyiv time 🔗 bit.ly/3NwI5Tq

🇰🇪 Kenya is unlocking new finance for #MSMEs in the digital economy. Through the #DigiKen programme, @UNCDF and the @Coopbankenya have launched a loan portfolio guarantee mechanism, reducing lending risk & helping more businesses access capital and grow. jointsdgfund.org/article/kenya-…

UNCDF’s work in Fiji demonstrates how social protection systems can distribute insurance at scale, supported by strong policy backing, long-standing UNCDF engagement, and existing social protection networks. 🔗via a new @CGAP case study ➡️ cgap.org/research/publi…

Powering Kenya’s Digital Economy Through Innovative Financing Partnerships Kenya has taken a bold step in strengthening our digital economy with the launch of #DigiKen, a new financing mechanism designed to unlock capital for local digital platforms and startups. I was pleased to join Stephen Jackson, @UN Resident Coordinator, Ondrej Simek, @EUinKenya Deputy Head of Mission, representatives from the (United Nations Capital Development Fund (@UNCDF)), the European Union, and the @Coopbankenya, represented by Vincent Parang, Director, Cooperatives Banking Division, on behalf of Group Managing Director & CEO Dr. Gideon Muriuki CBS, MBS, Co-op Bank at the signing ceremony of this transformative initiative. DigiKen introduces a risk-sharing model that addresses one of the biggest barriers facing innovators—access to finance—while ensuring strong financial discipline and sustainability. This initiative is firmly aligned with our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Digital Masterplan. We have already laid over 40,000 km of fibre optic cable across the country and continue to expand access to digital services through platforms like eCitizen, now serving over 16 million users with nearly 500,000 daily transactions. Importantly, DigiKen will play a catalytic role in supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), enabling them to adopt digital platforms, scale their operations, access new markets, and create sustainable jobs across the economy. These milestones reflect a deeper transformation—how citizens engage with government, how businesses operate, and how opportunities are created. Digital platforms are emerging as powerful engines of growth, with the potential to significantly contribute to GDP and create meaningful employment, especially for our youth. Our focus remains on supporting indigenous, inclusive, and scalable solutions that can thrive locally and compete regionally. Through this partnership, the Co-operative Bank of Kenya will play a critical role in channeling financing to qualifying digital enterprises, ensuring that innovation is matched with the capital needed to grow. This is the future of development—strategic partnerships that de-risk investment, unlock private sector participation, and accelerate inclusive growth. @MoICTKenya , @ictdigitalke , @konzatech ,

In Niger, mobile broadband penetration among women was just 19% in 2022. 📲 Through a $225,000 catalytic grant, Zamani Telecom recruited & trained 11,500+ agents to expand access to digital finance. 🌍 Funded by the @EU_Commission & @PressACP 🔗 bit.ly/4dpljay

Climate finance remains largely out of reach for the enterprises that need it most. 📗 With @SwissAmbBD, UNCDF has released a new report on optimizing access to climate financing for small businesses. 🔗 Read here: bit.ly/4s9AGbN @theGCF

How do we rebuild communities that can withstand the next shock, even while the current crisis continues? 🎙️ Join UNCDF and SINTEF on 18 March where we will explore strategies for recovery and resilience. 📅 18 March 2026 🕘 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 🔗 bit.ly/3NwI5Tq

Heavy rains destroyed Stephanie Mamukana’s crops in #SolomonIslands, but #ParametricInsurance helped her recover without dipping into her savings - allowing her to bounce back faster, thanks to a solution developed by UNDP, @UNCDF & UN University.

After a disaster hits, people can wait months to access the money they need to rebuild. Risk transfer solutions can change that. When predefined triggers are met, funds release automatically. 📉 🎬 Watch our specialist break it down ➡️ bit.ly/4lHJtPX

Sneha Lata's farm once produced 80–100 kg of rice a season. 🌾 📈 This year: 800–1,000 kg. ☀️ Thanks to a solar irrigation system built via UNCDF LoGIC Project. Climate-smart farming. Women leading. #iwd2026 Funded by @EU_Commission, @SweMFA, @DanishMFA

👩‍🌾UNDP & @UNCDF supported the Fiji Women in Agriculture Symposium. 🛡️UNDP Pacific Resident Representative Tuya Altangerel highlighted the vital role women play in Fiji’s economy & the value of solutions like parametric insurance for managing climate risks.

On #IWD2026, we thank @UN_Women for multiple UN System-wide Action Plan Awards. These recognitions reflect our commitment to integrating gender equality into development finance and investment strategies.

💬“Too often, we focus on the tech, the platforms, the devices. But it’s the human element that truly drives transformation.” - Bram Peters, UNCDF

📢 Deadline extended! UNDP and @UNCDF are calling on licensed financial and insurance institutions in to pilot innovative climate and disaster risk insurance solutions, expanding access for women, farmers, fishers, and MSMEs. 📥Apply now: zurl.co/YmZdO

Pradeep Kurukulasuriya @Pradeep0872 argues public money could be used more effectively to catalyse private sector investment in the least developed countries – and the UN capital development fund @UNCDF is the one to do it. l.genevasolutions.news/YN

Women have long powered Uganda’s economy, yet many remain excluded from the financial system. 🌱 Part of a UNCDF initiative funded by @SweMFA, 40,000 women gained access to phones, markets, & finance to build financial records & access loans to grow their businesses. #IWD2026

When women lead climate adaptation, communities grow stronger. 🌍 Through the LoCAL+ Facility, UNCDF supports locally driven adaptation solutions that strengthen livelihoods and build lasting resilience. uncdf.org/local/homepage #IWD2026