Singapore-based Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) has raised a total of $92 million from two tranches of its Women’s Livelihood Bond 7 (WLB7), aimed at supporting about one million women and girls in Asia.
The funds will be used across India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka for projects in clean energy, sustainable farming, healthcare, and financial services. The investments focus on women and underserved communities, especially those affected by climate risks.
The second tranche, WLB7b, is certified as an Orange Bond, a type of investment that combines gender equality and climate action. This category, developed under the Orange Movement, is growing quickly in sustainable finance.
IIX said the bond uses a blended finance model combining public and private funding to reduce risk and attract investors. Since the first issuance in 2017, the Women’s Livelihood Bond series has grown to about $320 million across seven issuances, continuing through global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty.
The WLB7 bonds invest in multiple sectors at once, reflecting real-world challenges where issues like climate change, health, and income are interconnected.
Major investors and partners in this issuance include Nuveen, International Finance Corporation, Ford Foundation, and Standard Chartered Bank, among others.
IIX CEO Durreen Shahnaz said the bond shows growing investor interest in projects that combine climate action with gender equality, while delivering financial returns.
WLB7 is expected to be listed on the Singapore Exchange and meets international standards for green, social, and sustainability bonds.
