Ant International, IFC, and GCash Develop "Sustainability Impact Scorecard" as an Innovation to Expand SME Financing Access
Taguig City, Philippines, (ANTARA/PRNewswire) - Ant International, together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and GCash, has developed the Sustainability Impact Scorecard to expand digital financial inclusion. This initiative helps micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) track their environmental and social impacts, promote sustainable business practices, and adapt to global standards.
The Scorecard serves as a clear, reliable, and accessible guide for MSMEs in the Philippines to measure sustainability performance, enhance credibility, and unlock opportunities aligned with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Leveraging GCash’s ecosystem and metrics tailored to the Philippine market, the Scorecard empowers local MSMEs with relevant and straightforward insights to drive business transformation.
In the Philippines, MSMEs account for 99.6% of all businesses and absorb more than two-thirds of the workforce. However, limited access to financing remains a major challenge. The Scorecard acts as a benchmark for MSMEs and assists those seeking to demonstrate their implemented sustainable practices in obtaining sustainable financing facilities that support business growth.
In addition to tracking sustainability performance, the Scorecard helps MSMEs build the credibility needed to partner with investors and financial institutions focused on sustainability-based performance.
“For MSMEs, this Scorecard is a major breakthrough. It provides visibility into environmental and social impacts while building credibility to attract funding and partnerships prioritising sustainability,” said Winsley Bangit, Group Head, New Businesses, GCash.
“The growing social impact of MSMEs cannot be overlooked. Through collaboration with GCash and IFC, we are delivering accessible AI technology to local MSMEs. This enables them to participate in the next phase of sustainable digital transformation. The Scorecard is a vital tool for future innovation, reinforcing that environmental sustainability must integrate with social and economic impacts,” stated Carrie Suen, Vice President, Head, Global Affairs and Strategic Development, Ant International.
“MSMEs play a crucial role in various markets. Providing the right tools can strengthen business resilience, support adaptation, and drive sustainable growth on a broad scale,” added Christina Ongoma, Regional Advisory Manager, Financial Institutions Group, IFC East Asia and Pacific.
Driving a Competitive and Sustainable Future for Philippine MSMEs
This partnership builds on discussions from COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and Ant International’s Programme Sirius, launched in 2024, to help MSMEs take initial steps towards sustainability. With GCash as the pilot partner, the initiative transforms global sustainability commitments into practical, on-the-ground digital solutions, particularly for underserved communities in the Philippines.
The Scorecard will be piloted gradually, starting with ecosystem assessment, stakeholder engagement, and development of a sustainability impact assessment system, followed by validation and field testing. Results from the initial phase will form the basis for potential broader development in the Asia-Pacific region.