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Partner Daniela Barrdear was interviewed for a Q&A article titled "Unlocking domestic capital markets through DFIs" published by Trade Finance Global.

The interview explored how development finance institutions (DFIs) can play a transformative role in unlocking domestic capital markets in emerging economies. She explained how DFIs can help de-risk investments, mobilise local institutional capital and provide crucial on-the-ground insight into projects seen as potentially too risky by mainstream investors. Despite structural barriers such as geopolitical uncertainty and narrowing investment corridors, DFIs’ involvement can attract investors by offering blended finance structures and facilitating participation in underdeveloped sectors.

She also emphasised the growing importance of the role of digital platforms in expanding supply chain finance (SCF), especially for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. These platforms enhance access to working capital and reduce foreign exchange (FX) risk by providing payment certainty and enabling hedging. Moreover, DFIs are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between investors and regulatory environments, often working alongside governments to adjust policy frameworks and ease market entry. Ultimately, their dual role — financing and facilitating — makes DFIs critical to scaling local capital market ecosystems sustainably and inclusively.

The article can be read in full here.