Impact Finance Network (IFN)

The Impact Finance Network (IFN) is Anglo American’s platform dedicated to supporting economic diversification and livelihoods by unlocking private capital for growth-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Operating across Africa and Latin America, the IFN helps local businesses overcome barriers to investment, enabling them to scale and deliver positive social and environmental impact.

How the IFN works

The IFN prepares businesses to become investment-ready by offering pre-investment technical assistance, including business plans, financial model development and pitch preparation.

It matches businesses with suitable investors and supports both parties to close investment transactions, helping SMEs to grow and thrive.

By providing pre-investment support, investor matching, and capital, the IFN supports effective impact investment ecosystems and unlocks capital at scale.

Addressing the ‘missing middle’

Many SMEs seeking funding between US $25,000 and $2 million are too large for microfinance and too small for institutional investors, creating a ‘missing middle’ financing gap.

The IFN focuses on trying to close this gap by removing barriers such as high debt costs, lack of collateral, limited business development support, access to investors, and low awareness of funding opportunities.

Proven impact and reach

Since its launch in 2021, the IFN has scaled rapidly, now active in eight countries across Africa and Latin America. The network has supported over 100 businesses, raised more than $117 million in third-party capital, and is projected to support over 53,000 livelihoods.

The IFN works with more than 158 investors, leveraging investment partnerships to maximize impact.

In southern Africa alone, the IFN has supported 89 businesses with targeted technical assistance, raised $90 million for 30 growing impact businesses, and supported over 45,000 livelihoods.

Catalytic capital and innovation

IFN’s catalytic capital solutions address key challenges faced by businesses when raising funds, such as high perceived risk, cost of capital and lack of collateral. Products like patient, concessional loans help reduce debt costs, provide bridge finance, match funding, and unlock deals that might otherwise not happen.

In Latin America, IFN is piloting concessional debt for climate innovation startups, partnering with organizations like IDB Lab and ChileGlobal Ventures to drive green business growth.

A collaborative model for sustainable development

The IFN’s model is built on collaboration with corporate and donor partners, providing bespoke technical assistance and risk-tolerant capital.

By supporting businesses through deal negotiation and due diligence, and using blended finance structures, IFN manages risk, reduces transaction costs, and enhances long-term sustainability.

Case studies and local impact

The IFN’s network brings greater value to businesses through partnerships and innovation. Examples include supporting African talent to address climate challenges, empowering women in Limpopo through skills training, and helping smallholder farmers in Zambia expand into new markets.

The IFN also facilitates solutions for waste management and supports survivors of gender-based violence with meaningful livelihoods.

Through the IFN, Anglo American is driving sustainable, inclusive growth, supporting local economies, and creating lasting impact for communities across its host countries.