Last June, the InFiNe team participated in the 2025 Social Impact Working Group (SIWG) and Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC) Impact Investors Meeting in Frankfurt, joining over 90 impact investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), and asset managers from around the world. The three-day event, organized by Cerise+SPTF and FS Impact Finance with support from the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, focused on addressing key challenges in sustainable and inclusive finance.
The meeting was particularly significant as it marked the leadership transition at SPTF Europe, with Paola D’Angelo taking on the role of Managing Director. In her opening remarks, she reflected:
“I am honored to have taken on the role of Managing Director of SPTF Europe. Through experience, I’ve seen firsthand how fair and sustainable finance delivers real, tangible impact. Following in Jurgen’s footsteps is no small task! His leadership laid a strong foundation. But I am committed to building on that legacy and guiding SPTF toward continued growth, relevance, and global impact.”
She emphasized her belief that “the future of finance is impact finance,” a vision shared by participants throughout the gathering.
The meeting addressed several critical areas that align closely with InFiNe’s mission to foster inclusive finance globally:
Artificial Intelligence in Inclusive Finance
Gregory Wheeler from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management delivered a keynote on AI opportunities and challenges, highlighting both the transformative potential and risks of AI adoption in financial services. Panel discussions showcased practical applications, including:
Blended Finance and Impact-Linked Strategies
Experts from Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, Swiss Development Cooperation, BNP Paribas, and other institutions shared innovative approaches to mobilizing private capital for social and environmental outcomes. Key insights included the importance of technical assistance, flexible outcome-focused metrics, and efficient verification methods to maintain credibility while reducing transaction costs.
Climate Risk and Biodiversity Management
Working groups presented progress on integrating climate and biodiversity risk assessments into due diligence processes. The discussions emphasized the need for:
Sustainable Finance Regulation
A dedicated panel explored evolving EU frameworks, particularly the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), and their intersection with impact investing in emerging markets. Participants discussed challenges around compliance costs and the need for regulations that accommodate developing country realities.
The conference highlighted Luxembourg’s significant position in the global inclusive finance ecosystem. As noted in the presentations, Luxembourg accounts for 61% of global assets under management in microfinance vehicles and serves as home to numerous inclusive finance stakeholders represented in InFiNe’s network.
Several InFiNe members were active participants in both the conference and working groups, including representatives from IforD/Luxembourg Microfinance and Development Fund (LMDF), ADA – Appui au Développement Autonome, e-MFP and of course SPTF Europe.
The meeting featured updates from several specialized working groups:
The Frankfurt meeting reinforced the importance of international collaboration in advancing inclusive finance. InFiNe’s participation allowed us to engage with global leaders, share our network’s mission, and identify opportunities for future partnerships that can benefit our members and the broader inclusive finance ecosystem.
Find the full report on Cerise + SPTF website HERE.
Photo © FS Impact Finance & Cerise + SPTF, InFiNe.lu
