UK insurers join Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDE) Investor Taskforce

Written by Adam Cadle

19/05/2025

The UK Minister for International Development and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury have announced the launch of the Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDE) Investor Taskforce, an industry-led initiative dedicated to unlocking private investment aimed at tackling climate change and seizing sustainable growth opportunities across emerging markets and developing economies.

Leaders from 15 major financial services firms, including insurers, pension funds, asset managers, banks, investment consultants, and development finance institutions, will come together alongside Government expertise from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and HM Treasury to drive meaningful change.

Practical solutions will be developed such as capacity building and product innovation to overcome barriers that currently constrain long-term private capital from investing at scale into climate, transition, and sustainable investment opportunities in regions including Latin America and the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa.

Hendrik du Toit, founder and CEO of Ninety One and industry co-chair of the Taskforce, said: “Momentum is building for the energy transition in emerging markets and developing economies. While real risks exist, they are often overstated compared to historical outcomes. To date, institutional investment in EMDEs has largely focused on public equities and sovereign debt. However, achieving a just and effective energy transition requires a significant increase in private equity, private debt, project finance, and corporate capital in emerging markets.

“Accelerating sustainable investment across EMDEs is key to confronting climate risks and enabling durable, inclusive economic growth globally. The newly formed EMDE Investor Taskforce is a vital step forward, offering practical solutions to help UK institutional investors engage with climate, transition, and sustainable investment opportunities in these markets. This initiative will play a central role in mobilising capital where it’s needed most and in catalysing broader flows of investment.”

Participating organisations include: Aviva Investors, BII, Church of England Pensions Board, HSBC, Legal & General, Lloyds, Nest, Ninety One, People’s Pension, Phoenix Group, Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), S&P Global Ratings.

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