WAIPA

What WAIPA does

WAIPA (World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies) is a Geneva-headquartered non-profit membership association founded in 1995 that serves as the global umbrella body for national and regional Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from 140+ countries. Its core purpose is to convene, train, and represent the global IPA community, delivering a portfolio of services built around four product lines: the annual flagship World Investment Conference (WIC) and affiliated regional forums, a masterclass and training curriculum delivered with partners such as ILO/ITCILO, UN Tourism, and the World Free Zones Organization, knowledge and research products (WAIPA Insights, FDI News & Views, IPA Toolbox, State of IPAs, joint publications with UNIDO and the World Bank), and a new structured-deal-introduction layer led by the 2026 Strategic Investor Matchmaking Programme with Lion Economics (Wavteq).

The underlying technology is a standard digital member-engagement and event-delivery platform supporting webinars, virtual training, and content distribution; no proprietary AI/ML, mobile application, or public API is disclosed. The business model combines four recurring and transactional revenue streams: (i) membership subscriptions from IPAs, (ii) event registration and sponsorship fees for the WIC and regional events, (iii) training program fees for masterclasses and capacity-building projects (including LDC-focused work with EIF, IsDB, and UNIDO), and (iv) strategic partnerships and corporate sponsorships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed at the membership tier level; the Matchmaking Programme is sold in 5- and 10-meeting packages with preferential pricing for member IPAs and additional discounts (up to 30%) for lower-middle-income and low-income country members. Governance is exercised through a Steering Committee, Consultative Committee, Regional Directors, and the recently established WIC Executive Board, currently chaired by Dr. James X. Zhan; the CEO and Executive Director is Ismail Ersahin (since 2023), and the presidency for the 2025-2027 term is held by Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA).

Name

WAIPA

Legal name

World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies

Website

https://waipa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WAIPA is a Geneva-based non-profit membership association, founded in 1995, that convenes and supports Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from 140+ countries through its annual World Investment Conference, masterclasses, research, and a new strategic investor matchmaking programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Promotion Services / Trade Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADABAN

Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Bilateral Development Agencies & Aid Programs

SECONDARYBPAHAFAL

Fraud Risk Management & Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption (ABAC)

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Risk, Compliance & Governance Advisory

Keywords

• Investment promotion services
• Membership association
• FDI capacity building
• Investment facilitation training
• IPA networking platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatelaine

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: WAIPA generates revenue through membership fees from Investment Promotion Agencies worldwide that join the global association
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from annual World Investment Conference registrations and regional event participation fees
3. Training Programs: Fees from masterclasses, FDI Excellence Series, and capacity building programs for IPAs
4. Partnerships and Sponsorships: Strategic partnerships with organizations like IsDB, UNIDO, and corporate sponsors supporting events and initiatives

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WAIPA is a non-profit membership association that serves as the global reference point for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), delivering membership services, the annual World Investment Conference, professional masterclasses and training programs, knowledge resources (WAIPA Insights, FDI News & Views, publications), and capacity building projects. Its commercial offerings include the Strategic Investor Matchmaking Programme and the IsDB Group – WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards, delivered in partnership with international organizations such as UNCTAD, UNIDO, ILO, World Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank.

Product overview

WAIPA operates as a global membership organization for Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), offering a unified platform of products and services centered around its flagship World Investment Conference (WIC) and capacity building programs. The core portfolio includes the annual WIC conference series, professional masterclasses on investment promotion topics, and the Strategic Investor Matchmaking Programme. Supporting offerings include knowledge resources (WAIPA Insights, FDI News & Views, Publications), research tools (IPA Toolbox, State of IPAs), and specialized awards programs (IsDB-WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards). Products are delivered through partnerships with international organizations including UNIDO, ILO, World Bank, IsDB, ESCAP, and regional IPA associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Investment Conference (WIC): WAIPA's flagship annual global conference bringing together investment promotion agencies and stakeholders
• WIC Executive Board
• WAIPA Insights
• FDI Excellence Series
• Global FDI Masterclass Series

Products and services

• World Investment Conference (WIC) Annual global conference that brings together investment promotion agencies, government officials, and investors to discuss FDI trends, forge partnerships, and shape the future of investment promotion.
• WAIPA Strategic Investor Matchmaking Programme Structured investor meeting program providing participating IPAs and economic development organizations with targeted investor outreach, meeting logistics, and post-event support.
• IsDB Group – WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding national IPAs from IsDB Member Countries for sustainable development contributions, private sector growth, and economic diversification.
• WAIPA Masterclasses Professional training programs covering investment promotion leadership, digital frontiers, strategic event planning, IPA strategy, investment-ready projects, and aftercare and advocacy.
• Effective Investment Facilitation for Decent Work Training Online training course helping IPAs build capacity to transform foreign direct investment into decent work outcomes and inclusive sustainable economic growth.
• Capacity Building Projects Technical assistance programs for IPAs in least developed countries (LDCs) and Francophone LDCs covering investment promotion capacity, aftercare, and related skills.
• Americas Investment Forum 2026 Regional investment forum for the Americas serving as a strategic regional gathering and affiliated event of the World Investment Conference.
• WAIPA Insights
• FDI News & Views
• WAIPA Publications Library Library of reports and joint research publications on FDI and investment promotion, including collaborations with UNIDO, OCO Global, and the World Bank.
• IPA Toolbox Resource toolkit providing practical guidance, frameworks, and tools for investment promotion agencies to enhance operational effectiveness.
• State of Investment Promotion Agencies (Annual Report) Annual research publication providing comprehensive analysis of IPA performance, trends, and the state of investment promotion globally.
• COVID-19 Platform Resource platform aggregating insights and resources on the effects of COVID-19 on FDI and economic recovery strategies for IPAs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 participants from 142 countries at a single event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core, major and minor.

• AZPROMO (Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation)regionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Appointed as WAIPA Regional Director for Central Asia to represent regional interests and promote investment cooperation within the region.
• PROMPERÚ (Promoción Comercial y Turismo – Peru)regionalGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Appointed as WAIPA Regional Director for South America. PROMPERÚ represents the region's interests within WAIPA's global governance framework, ensuring South America's opportunities are reflected in international discussions on investment promotion.
• Lion Economics (Wavteq)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2026Partnership to deliver the WAIPA Strategic Investor Matchmaking Programme at WIC Geneva 2026. Lion Economics coordinates investor targeting, outreach, meeting logistics, and post-event support for participating IPAs. WAIPA provides venue space and integrates matchmaking sessions into the WIC program. The partnership helps IPAs from emerging economies access strategic international investors.
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic partnership to recognize and celebrate outstanding IPAs through the IsDB Group – WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards. The awards recognize IPAs from IsDB Member Countries demonstrating excellence in sustainable investment, partnership building, and investment facilitation.
• THIQAH (Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-organizer of the IsDB Group – WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2026, working together to promote investment excellence among IPAs in IsDB member countries.
• Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Current WAIPA Presidency holder (2025-2027 term). Co-hosting WIC 2026 in Geneva. Supports WAIPA's global mission and governance.
• Geneva Convention BureaumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with WAIPA for the 30th World Investment Conference 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership supporting LDCs through joint capacity building projects, webinars, and initiatives to strengthen investment promotion capabilities in least developed countries.
• International Labour Organization (ILO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint training programs on Effective Investment Facilitation and Sustainable Development. WAIPA-ILO courses held in Turin and online focusing on transforming FDI into decent work outcomes.
• UNCTADmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partnership including joint workshops on FDI Statistics, World Investment Forum collaboration, and policy discussions on investment promotion.
• UNIDOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on investment promotion and ACP region surveys, joint conferences, e-learning modules on impact investing, and capacity building initiatives.
• World Bank GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint webinars on IPA trends, advocacy services award competition, and collaborative research on investment promotion agencies.
• World Free Zones Organization (WFZO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement to strengthen global investment and trade, including joint events and masterclasses at WIC.
• UNDP SDG ImpactmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to accelerate private capital towards the SDGs through investment promotion alignment.
• OCO GlobalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint publication of IPA Innovation Index and collaboration on capacity building for Francophone LDCs.
• ProDominicanaregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of Americas Investment Forum 2026 in collaboration with WAIPA. ProDominicana serves as the Dominican Republic's investment promotion agency hosting this regional event.
• UNESCAPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Agreement for Asia Pacific Trade, Investment and Innovation Week collaboration and joint investment conferences.
• World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint masterclasses and workshops on investment in tourism sectors and related topics.
• YASED (International Investors Association – Turkey)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2026 to strengthen global investment cooperation.
• International Solar AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert speaker at WAIPA webinars on clean energy investment and climate-related FDI topics.
• Invest IndiamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInvest India CEO Nivruti Rai served as WAIPA President (2023). Long-standing member and key partner in WIC hosting and regional initiatives.
• Saudi Investment Promotion AuthoritymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted WIC 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Sharjah Investment AuthoritymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted the 29th World Investment Conference 2025 in Sharjah, UAE with over 10,000 participants from 142 countries.
• KW Group (Malaysia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppointed as Regional Advisors for Asia Pacific region to enhance support for regional IPAs.
• Apex BrasilregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerAppointed as WAIPA Regional Director for South America (prior to PROMPERÚ appointment).
• HuaweiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint webinar on optimizing investment conditions to accelerate digital economic recovery.
• IBM-PLIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint webinar on COVID-19's impact on FDI and IPA responses.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• World Free Zones Organization (WFZO): WFZO is a global association for free zones that partners with WAIPA on joint events and masterclasses at WIC. It serves an adjacent but overlapping constituency (zone-based IPAs and economic development bodies) and competes for sponsorships on investment promotion content.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): ICC is a global business association providing policy advocacy, dispute resolution, and convening for cross-border investment and trade. While broader in scope, ICC competes for member mindshare and event participation among multinational and IPA audiences.

Direct peers

• fDi Intelligence (Financial Times): fDi Intelligence is the Financial Times' FDI-focused research, ranking (fDi Awards), and events platform serving investment promotion professionals globally. It is a direct competitor to WAIPA Insights and WAIPA's FDI publications, and an alternate intelligence source for IPA members.
• OCO Global: OCO Global is a private-sector firm that co-publishes the IPA Innovation Index with WAIPA and collaborates on capacity building for Francophone LDCs. It competes directly for IPA advisory, benchmarking, and analytics work, while also serving as a WAIPA partner.
• Lion Economics (Wavteq): Lion Economics (Wavteq) is an FDI consultancy that delivers strategic investor matchmaking, FDI strategy and lead generation to IPAs and EDOs, with a track record of facilitating $50B+ in projects. It is both a WAIPA partner on the Matchmaking Programme and a competitor for paid IPA advisory mandates.

Broad incumbents

• UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development): UNCTAD operates the World Investment Report and the World Investment Forum, a biennial global convening platform that directly competes with WAIPA's WIC for IPA attention and FDI policy dialogue. Both organizations collaborate on FDI statistics workshops and partner on the WIC, making them the closest multilateral counterpart to WAIPA.
• International Trade Centre (ITC): ITC, a joint UN/WTO agency, runs investment- and trade-related capacity building for developing countries in partnership with WAIPA. It is a broader incumbent in the trade and investment development space, occasionally overlapping with WAIPA's training offerings.
• World Bank Group - Investment Climate: The World Bank runs the Investment Climate program, publishes global FDI analysis (e.g., the 2025 "Foreign Direct Investment in Retreat" report cited on WAIPA's site), and co-hosts IPA advocacy competitions with WAIPA. It is a broader incumbent shaping the same FDI policy and capacity-building agenda.
• World Economic Forum: The World Economic Forum's annual Davos meeting and New Investment Frontier initiatives convene heads of state, IPAs, and global investors on the same themes WAIPA addresses via WIC. WEF is a broader incumbent competing for high-level participation and visibility in the FDI dialogue.

Regional players

• African Investment Promotion Agency Network (AIPA): AIPA is a regional association of African IPAs that provides a parallel convening, capacity-building, and advocacy platform for African members who also belong to WAIPA. It represents geographic overlap with WAIPA's regional engagement model in Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/waipa_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waipa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WAIPA