Dalberg Advisors
Dalberg Advisors' mission is to help solve the most pressing challenges of our time through systemic change. The organization pursues impact by partnering with communities, governments, and companies globally, leveraging entrepreneurial, innovative, and analytical capabilities. Their vision is a sustainable planet and inclusive societies where all people can thrive. Dalberg is committed to creating real, lasting impact—especially for underserved and vulnerable populations—by designing and implementing solutions for education, health, economic inclusion, climate, and more.
Theory of Change
Inputs
Funding and philanthropic capital from governments, multilateral banks, private sector, and foundations
Local and global technical experts, staff, and research networks
Access to data, stakeholder networks, and cross-sectoral partnerships
Activities
Strategy design, research, and analysis across sectors such as agriculture, education, finance, health, and energy
Development of bespoke solutions and innovative finance models
Implementation support, partnership facilitation, impact measurement, and advocacy
Outputs
Programs, strategies, funds, and bonds launched across key sectors and countries
Extensive research publications and knowledge sharing platforms
Capacity building for targeted institutions and communities
Outcomes
Systemic and sustainable improvements in agricultural productivity, education, health outcomes, and access to finance
Decrease in poverty, malnutrition, and vulnerability
Growth of inclusive economies and sustainable infrastructure globally
Programs
1. Supporting FINCA Ecuador’s Growth
Dalberg supported FINCA Ecuador, a microfinance institution, in strategy development to remain competitive and expand access to socially responsible financial services for low-income individuals and communities in Ecuador.
Technical advisory expertise in microfinance
Local market data and trends analysis
Strategic review and evaluation of portfolio and external market
Development of competitive expansion strategies
Growth-focused portfolio plan for FINCA Ecuador
Recommendations for sustainable and inclusive microfinance delivery
Expanded access to microfinance for low-income Ecuadorians
Strengthened FINCA’s market position and operational sustainability
2. Off-Grid Solar Access in Indonesia
Dalberg worked with a Japanese electronics corporation to develop a business model for the delivery of solar energy to off-grid regions of Indonesia, focusing on financially viable strategies and B2B market entry.
Engagement with corporate partner
Market and customer insights data for off-grid energy in Indonesia
Business model development for product delivery
Market analysis for targeting rural B2B clients
Validated business plan and model for solar delivery
Pilot implementation with rural banks and other actors
Increased access to clean solar energy for off-grid communities in Indonesia
Potential scale-up through commercially viable business channels
3. Business Plan for Cooking Fuels in Kenyan Cities
Dalberg assisted a leading East African energy company in developing a comprehensive business plan for entry into the urban base of the pyramid cooking fuel market in Kenya, including feasibility studies, supply chain analysis, and pilot validation.
Technical and market research expertise
Engagement with company leadership
Feasibility studies and energy diary experiments in urban slums
Product and market analysis, stakeholder engagement, pricing and distribution strategy development
Board-approved business plan
Pilot rollout in major urban cities, followed by national scaling
Greater access to clean, affordable cooking fuels for low-income Kenyans
Commercial success and sustainability of business model
4. Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN)
A $100 million private equity fund supporting small- and mid-sized agricultural businesses in Nigeria. FAFIN provides growth capital through equity and flexible finance products, aiming to fill Nigeria’s agricultural sector funding gap, improve livelihoods, and foster sector development. Dalberg led the fund's design, launch, and management team selection.
Funding from KfW, Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and other donors
Market research and on-the-ground interviews
Stakeholder engagement and technical expertise
Market assessment of Nigeria’s agriculture finance needs
Design and formation of a bespoke growth-capital fund
Selection and support of an independent fund manager via competitive process
Development of business model, financial projections, and governance structures
FAFIN fund launched with $65.9M capital at final close
Flexible financing (equity, mezzanine, debt) provided to agricultural SMEs
Investments up to $5M per company across agri-value chain enterprises
Increased access to finance for agri-SMEs
Improved rural livelihoods and job creation
Increased agricultural sector productivity
Demonstrated innovative public-private agricultural finance model in Africa
5. $24 Billion African Agricultural Transformation Strategy
In partnership with the African Development Bank, Dalberg designed a ten-year, $24 billion strategy focused on ending poverty, eliminating malnutrition and food insecurity, and increasing agricultural exports across Africa.
Funding commitment from African Development Bank and partners
Technical expertise in agriculture and finance
Stakeholder policy and operational engagement
Strategy development at continental scale
Consultations with sectoral experts
Inclusion of malnutrition, food security, and export growth priorities
Long-term investment and implementation plan for agriculture transformation
Policy recommendations and programmatic interventions
Reduced poverty and malnutrition
Enhanced food security and export volume for African countries
Supportive policy ecosystem for agriculture transformation
6. Quality Education India Development Impact Bond
Dalberg partnered with UBS Optimus Foundation, BAT, MSDF, and Tata Trusts to design and performance manage the Quality Education India Development Impact Bond. The initiative aims to improve educational outcomes for children in India through performance-based funding, working with selected NGOs and implementing a robust framework to diagnose and address operational challenges.
Funding from philanthropic partners and investors
Engagement of qualified NGOs and technical advisors
Monitoring and evaluation expertise
NGO due diligence and selection
Financing model design and stakeholder coordination
Performance management framework implementation
Operational Development Impact Bond
Improved capacity and effectiveness of participating NGOs
Improved education outcomes for children in India
Evidence and learning for results-based financing in education
7. Rapid Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
Dalberg produced a rapid information brief for The Rockefeller Foundation, evaluating humanitarian and resilience-building responses to the Syrian refugee crisis. The project explored innovative finance and identified promising interventions for impact.
Expertise in humanitarian crisis analysis
Access to data and stakeholder insights
Rapid review of crisis responses
Analysis of opportunities for innovative finance mechanisms
Information brief evaluating response strategies
Recommendations for effective interventions
Improved decision making by stakeholders in humanitarian response
Potential increased impact and innovation in refugee support efforts
Other Information
Core Values
Make Real Impact – Tackle urgent challenges for lasting, systemic change.
Engage with Humility – Work inclusively, support underserved groups, and interrogate biases.
Speak Honestly – Practice transparency, openness, and independence of thought.
Support People and Nurture Talent – Prioritize stakeholder and staff well-being, diversity, and leadership development.
Act Boldly – Drive innovation, experiment, and move with agility for transformative results.
Commitment to the UN Global Compact – Uphold human rights, ethical practices, environmental responsibility, anti-corruption.
Gender, Equity, and Inclusion – Apply a gender lens and commit to intersectional approaches in all work.
Climate Commitment – Pursue carbon neutrality and embed sustainability in all programs.
Scale
Served in 135+ countries globally
15+ million children supported to develop literacy in Africa/Asia
Design of 25 million youth jobs plan for Africa
Mobilized $120M in agro-investments (Ethiopia)
28 global offices spanning Africa, Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe, and the Middle East
Managed continent-scale strategies (e.g., $24B agriculture strategy for Africa)
Affected Users
Smallholder farmers and agricultural SMEs
Children and youth, especially girls (benefiting from education programs)
Low-income and vulnerable communities globally
Refugees and crisis-affected populations
Women and marginalized populations facing barriers to inclusion
Off-grid and energy-poor households
Geographical Areas
Nigeria
Africa (continent-wide, with specific projects in West, East, Southern, and North Africa)
India
Indonesia
Ecuador
Kenya
Global (multi-country and cross-continental projects)
Latin America
Asia-Pacific (including Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and other offices)','Europe (UK, France, Switzerland, Denmark, etc.)
United States (multiple offices), and the Middle East
Contact Info
To
Jyothi Oberoi- [email protected]
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