At Ascent, we continue to believe that our responsibility goes beyond generating financial returns. We are committed to investing in a way that creates meaningful and lasting change in the communities and industries where we operate. By deliberately integrating environmental, social, governance, and impact (ESGI) factors into our investment process, we strengthen the resilience of our portfolio, enhance business performance, and contribute to broader social and environmental well-being.
Our impact objectives have been established based on leveraging our investment strategy to benefit underserved stakeholders by enhancing their quality of life through:
Increased access to quality products and services
01
Improved health/ education/ financial status
02
Increased economic participation
03
Improved gender quality
04
Improved employee wellbeing
05
Reduced climate change effects
06
Ascent’s Theory of Change
1. Activities
Large stakes investments in leading SMEs
Provision of strategic oversight and day-to-day support
Mobilisation of other supportive financing (loan, technical facility)
Provision of ESGI guidance and support
2. Output
Efficient and compliant operations
Improved understanding of ESGI best practices
3. Activities
Growth and expansion of businesses
Increased integration of ESGI considerations
Increased job creation
Increased supply of affordable and quality products
Reduced carbon emissions
4. Impact
Improve gender equality (SDG 5,8 & 9)
Reduce climate change effects (SDG 8 & 13)
Increased economic participation (SDG 8)
Improved employee well-being (SDG 8)
Improved health/ education/ financial status (SDG 3,8 & 9)
Increased access to quality products & services (SDG 9)
Impact Statement
Our commitment to Impact is To leverage our investment strategy for the benefit of underserved stakeholders in target geographies with a focus on improving their quality of life by driving inclusion, economic participation and equitable access to quality goods and services.