Annual report Partnerships Team Belgium

Team Belgium

Building strong partnerships for impact

While the Belgian State is BIO's sole shareholder, the company recognises its accountability to a broader community. This includes Belgian taxpayers, civil society organisations, and fellow impact investors. BIO actively fosters collaboration with these stakeholders to maximise its impact on development goals.

Diplomat Training Days

Diplomat training days

BIO had the pleasure of hosting 30 talented trainee diplomats from the Belgian ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce them to the dynamic world of impact investing. They got an in-depth look into how BIO is driving positive social change through investments in private equity, microfinance institutions, SMEs and renewable energy.

Synergy within Belgian Development Cooperation

BIO collaborates closely with other key players in Belgian development cooperation, including the directorate-general for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD), the Belgian development agency Enabel, and civil society organisations. For example, BIO has consulted with NGOs on the new investment strategy and change theory for agricultural value chains, as well as with the DGD and the External Service Special Evaluation in revising the theory of change, implementing the Strategic Impact Framework, and developing the evaluation plan.

BIO also participated in three working meetings of the Platform on Agriculture and Food Security (PLVZ), covering topics such as sustainable food systems and decent work, food systems in the context of COP (climate, biodiversity, desertification), and mechanisation and agrochemicals in food systems. Additionally, BIO served as an observer in the Gender and Development Advisory Council (ARGO/CCGD). In Senegal, BIO seconded an investment expert to Enabel's agricultural project, where the expert supported the development of an industrial zone (Agropole) in the Sine Saloum region.

Pierre IFB

Expanding the Impact Investing Landscape

IFB is a membership association focused on increasing the share of impact capital in Belgium, bringing together all capital providers committed to delivering measurable impact for people and the planet. The organisation welcomes all stakeholders in the impact finance ecosystem, including foundations, impact investors, and traditional financiers, as members. In 2024, BIO strengthened its commitment to Impact Finance Belgium (IFB) by becoming a full supporter. As such, BIO is actively involved in the Belgian Impact Week, for which it is organising the International Development Day, which will be held at the Maison de la Poste in November 2025.

Prix Awa 2024

BIO is proud to have partnered with the Belgian development agency Enabel on the Awa Prize, a groundbreaking initiative that championed women's entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle East.

The 2024 competition honoured women entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries. A total of 1,313 women from 18 countries submitted their projects in four categories: start-up, scale-up, innovation, and public prize. At the end of the selection process, four winners were chosen.

The 2024 winners

  • Sonia Guiza – Start-up Winner – Côte d’Ivoire

    Sonia Guiza’s company, Lagozi Entertainment, is taking African cinema beyond the big cities and beyond borders through theatre screenings, caravans in rural areas, distribution on television and Video on Demand platforms. The company is giving African cinema pride of place and provides a wide audience access to this important cultural component.

  • Janet Kabugho – ‘Scale-up’ winner – Uganda

    Through craftwork, Janet Kabugho moved up from a modest background and emancipated herself. After studying in Kampala, she decided to help displaced people. This led her to establish the Skills Centrum Rwenzori, which trains rural women in weaving and handicrafts techniques.

  • Adja Soro – ‘Innovation’ Winner – Côte d’Ivoire

    It is only one step from microfinance to animation. Adja Soro took that step and founded her own company, Studio Kä. Her production company designs and produces feature films and series that tell authentic and inspiring stories. They are distributed on television, on streaming platforms and in cinemas.

  • Aïcha Macky – ‘People’s Choice’ Winner – Niger

    Even as a child, Aïcha Macky had a passion for acting and directing. As an adult, she turned her love of cinema into a profession and became a film director. She then decided to launch Tabou Production, to address sensitive topics. She broadcasts her reports in original locations such as schools, places of worship and bus terminals.

AWA Prize

By supporting women entrepreneurs, the Awa Prize recognises their crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Women reinvest over 90% of their income back into their families and communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Enabel Cooperation agreement

IMG 7340 RET

Enabel and BIO have been working side by side for many years, but never took the time to put their collaboration on paper. In 2024, Enabel and BIO signed their first cooperation agreement, which formalises our existing partnership and explicitly aims to:

  • Collaborate to foster ecosystem development through BIO’s instruments and Enabel's support for the surrounding system,
  • Co-develop new climate finance initiatives,
  • Create opportunities for BIO and Enabel colleagues to regularly exchange ideas, fostering synergies where possible and strengthening both organisations.

This agreement will help us continue to strengthen #TeamBelgium and the impact we can make globally.

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