Impact Investing in Practice: Somaha Foundation at Building Bridges 2026

As part of Building Bridges 2026, Somaha Foundation participated in the Impact Investing & Catalytic Funding – Foundation Peer Exchange session and shared its experiences. The event was organized by the International Cooperation Working Group of SwissFoundations in collaboration with Building Bridges. The event brought together foundations to exchange experiences and explore how to successfully enter the fields of impact investing and catalytic funding.

The Z Zurich Foundation, the Irene M. Staehelin Foundation and Somaha Foundation shared their practical experiences and insights. Somaha Foundation provided insights into BALIM, a blended finance vehicle established in partnership with HEKS and iGravity. BALIM provides loans and technical assistance to companies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through this approach, Somaha Foundation aims to align its investment activities with its purpose while generating financial returns that can be reinvested in the public interest.

The partnership between Somaha Foundation, iGravity and HEKS is key to BALIM’s approach. As a shareholder, Somaha Foundation provides patient capital and impact investing expertise. iGravity draws on its local staff in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify investment opportunities and manage the investment pipeline, while HEKS contributes its expertise and network in the agriculture sector.

The exchange highlighted the importance of learning from practical experience and sharing insights across foundations. Somaha Foundation encourages other foundations to explore how they, too, can align their investments with their purpose and become active in impact investing. After all, greater impact can be achieved together.

Further information on Impact Investing can be found on the Somaha Foundation website.