Symbiotics Group
Symbiotics is the leading market access platform for impact investing, dedicated to private markets in emerging and frontier economies. The group offers investment, asset management and capacity building services. Since 2005, we have originated over 7,900 investments representing more than USD 10 billion for 598 companies in 97 countries. We manage an aggregate portfolio of USD 2.8 billion spread across 20 funds and mandates. Our portfolio companies have also benefited from over 170 technical assistance projects worth more than USD 19 million.
Voting member: Samy Derradji
Member since 2024
Meet a Member: Symbiotics Group
Updated December, 2024
What impact has your recent work led to that you are most proud of?
Symbiotics was founded in 2004 with a bold vision: to channel capital where it traditionally doesn’t flow. Two decades later, we’re proud to have directed over USD 10 billion to nearly 100 countries, impacting millions of lives along the way.
Our focus on inclusive growth has enabled us to empower women entrepreneurs, support sustainable businesses, and unlock access to finance for underserved communities. This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about real lives being transformed.
Take the women entrepreneurs who have scaled their businesses, the smallholder farmers who have expanded their operations, or the shopkeepers who have gained stability and security for their families. These ripple effects reach beyond individuals to uplift entire communities, creating a foundation for long-term prosperity.
Five years ago, recognizing the urgency of the climate challenge, we expanded our mission to include investments that address climate mitigation, adaptation, and transition. From renewable energy projects to initiatives that foster a greener future, we remain committed to scaling our impact for generations to come.
What challenges and barriers are you working on addressing?
A key challenge we are addressing is the perception that impact investing may come at the cost of financial returns. At Symbiotics, we’ve demonstrated that impact and performance go hand in hand, with private debt delivering competitive returns while driving meaningful societal change.
Another challenge is the misperception of emerging markets as overly risky. With 20 years of experience in these markets, we deeply understand their dynamics and have consistently delivered strong, risk-adjusted returns. Emerging markets also play a critical role in building a sustainable and inclusive global economy, offering unparalleled opportunities for diversification and growth.
To support this understanding, we recently published a comprehensive report on the (mis)perception of risk in emerging markets. This data-driven analysis highlights their true potential and illustrates how thoughtful investment strategies can manage risks while unlocking significant opportunities.
We also prioritize transparency in impact reporting, ensuring that investors have a clear understanding of the outcomes their capital achieves. By enhancing how we measure and communicate impact, we’re fostering greater confidence in the potential of investments that deliver both financial and societal value.
To deepen this connection, we recently launched Learning Journeys, taking investors on the ground to witness firsthand the local impact their investments create. These immersive experiences provide a direct link to the people, projects, and communities benefiting from their capital. Participants come away with renewed perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of impact investing.
What is your call to action for our membership?
To CAFIID members, we extend an open invitation: let’s collaborate.
The impact investing landscape thrives on shared knowledge, so we’re eager to exchange ideas, best practices, and experiences. Together, we can build solutions that amplify our collective efforts toward inclusive growth and sustainable development.
We also look forward to exploring how Canada’s vibrant impact investing community can help scale solutions in emerging and frontier markets, creating mutual value through shared innovation.
What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
In the months ahead, we’re excited to deepen our engagement with stakeholders, particularly in Canada. Building connections, exchanging insights, and finding common ground to advance impact investing will be a top priority.
We’re also looking forward to continuing our work in emerging and frontier markets—identifying new opportunities, driving positive change, and supporting communities that are often overlooked.
Our team is energized by the chance to celebrate small and big wins along the way. Whether it’s the launch of a renewable energy initiative or an investor seeing the local impact of their capital firsthand, these moments remind us why we do what we do.