Making Technology Investable in Low-Income Countries

Technology exists. Needs are urgent. Capital is available. But the connection between them is not. In the first webinar in the UNCDF-SINTEF "Bridging the Gaps" series, panelists explore new models for global cooperation on technology and innovation. This conversation brings together development finance, research innovation, public policy, and private sector perspectives to answer a critical question: How do we move from potential to impact? 🎙️Panel: ➡️ Pradeep Kurukulasuriya – Executive Secretary, UN Capital Development Fund ➡️ Petter Støa – Vice President of Research, SINTEF ➡️ Anne Ytreland – Senior Advisor, NORAD ➡️ Solveig Tangen – CEO, Norwegian African Business Association 🌍 From the discussion: ➡️ The case for a Technology and Innovation Fund modeled on successful innovation instruments (Norway's Green Platform, Europe's Horizon) ➡️ How performance-based mechanisms can incentivize cross-sector collaboration ➡️ The importance of local buy-in, adaptation, and partnership, not just technology transfer ➡️ Why we need mechanisms that stay the course beyond initial seeding 📅 Next in the series: March 11, 2026 | Rebuilding in Crisis: Strategies for Recovery and Resilience. Chapters: 0:00 – Why This Series Matters 4:25 – Panel Introductions 4:47 – UNCDF: The Access to Finance Gap 6:47 – SINTEF: The Technology & Innovation Fund Proposal 11:43 – Norad: Development Sector Tools 17:40 – NABA: Private Sector Perspectives 24:21 – Discussion: What Are the Most Persistent Gaps? 36:25 – Why Technologies Fail in Implementation 43:39 – Can Norway Lead New Mechanisms 51:10 – What Are the Necessary Steps to Move This Forward? 1:00:35 – Closing Remarks 🔗 Read our new Strategic Framework: https://www.uncdf.org/strategic-frame... Get involved: 🔗 UNCDF: https://www.uncdf.org 🔗 Follow on LinkedIn:   / uncdf   🔗 Follow on X: https://x.com/UNCDF 🔗 Follow on Instagram:   / uncdf   🔗 Follow on Facebook:   / uncdf   🔗 Follow on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@uncdf 🔗 Follow on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncdf.bsky.s... #uncdf #unitednations © UN Capital Development Fund 2026. All rights reserved.