BlueOrchard’s JAWEF was launched in 2016 as the first fund of its kind investing via financial institutions in female micro entrepreneurs across the ASEAN region in a range of frontier and emerging markets.  

JAWEF’s mission is to foster gender equality and women empowerment by providing financial opportunities to women. This is the foundation for the achievement of a sustainable development – which is perfectly aligned with EFA’s values.  

JAWEF was initiated by leading Japanese developmental and commercial investors like JICA and JBIC. It also attracted capital from a range of Japanese private sector investors via its innovative blended finance structure.  

EFA is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and of the Principles for Responsible Investment. Since 2018, EFA has been awarded the Ecovadis Gold level, helping Asset Managers with sustainable and impact investment strategies to apply high ESG standards across their funds’ entire value chain. 

Noel Fessey, EFA CEO said, “At EFA, we believe that we all have a responsibility to help shape a better, more sustainable future. We are thankful to BlueOrchard for their continued trust and look forward to further growing our relationship for many years to come”. 

Maria Teresa Zappia, Chief Impact and Blended Finance Officer and Deputy CEO of BlueOrchard said, “We look forward to our continued cooperation with EFA and to further advance JAWEF’s impact goals.”