Ten Pakistani businesses developing climate-friendly solutions are seeking a combined 51 million US dollars in investment over the next 12 months, after receiving specialist technical and financial support from the United Kingdom government. The businesses presented their proposals to investors, banks and development finance institutions at a two-day investor roadshow in Karachi on 27 and 28 October. The companies work across clean energy, transport, construction, agriculture and waste management. With support from the UK-funded Climate Finance Accelerator, known as CFA Pakistan, they strengthened their investment proposals before pitching them directly to potential backers. Together, the ten businesses have a three-year investment pipeline worth 120 million US dollars.

Five sectors, one pipeline

The cohort spans five sectors: agriculture and land use, waste and the circular economy, clean energy, building and construction, and electric mobility. CFA Pakistan, implemented by DAI on behalf of the UK government, gave each business technical and financial advice, alongside support on gender equality and social inclusion, to help prepare them for investment. Between 2022 and 2024, the programme supported 22 projects in Pakistan and helped mobilise 40 million US dollars in investment for climate projects, according to the organisers.

Turning ideas into bankable projects

Alison Blackburne, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, said the UK's climate partnership with Pakistan increasingly focused on mobilising climate finance, strengthening adaptation and resilience, and supporting the policy and institutional systems needed to implement climate initiatives. Welcoming guests on behalf of the government of Pakistan, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah reaffirmed the government's commitment to working with the private sector and development partners to mobilise finance for climate action. For the businesses, the roadshow is not funding itself: investment will depend on investors judging the projects commercially viable.

Sources: DNA News Agency, Sub News.