Scaling EMDE Investment Products
A Progress Note From "Products" Workstream
This paper provides a summary of the workstream dedicated to developing actionable resources to scale EMDE-focused investment products across public and private markets – spanning innovative deal structures, originate-to-distribute models for DFI/MBD assets, and thought leadership on barriers to scale.
The note draws on targeted interviews with asset managers and a workshop held in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in late 2025.
It sets out practical insights and recommendations across four areas: (1) asset eligibility, capital treatment and regulation, (2) scaling innovative structures (including originate‑to‑distribute and catalytic junior capital), (3) investor education, benchmarks and reporting, and (4) systemic barriers related to credit ratings and data. The note also outlines priority next steps for 2026.