IFC and FirstRand Bank Set Up Risk-Sharing Facility to Boost Access to Finance for SMEs in South Africa
To make loans more accessible and affordable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), IFC has set up a risk-sharing facility with FirstRand Bank Limited that will cover half of the credit risk for a portfolio of up to ZAR1.8 billion ($99 million equivalent) of loans to these businesses in South Africa.
Absa Bank Kenya Partners With Women’s World Banking to Accelerate Growth of Women-Led SMEs
This partnership will focus on enhancing Absa’s Women in Business (WIB) proposition by leveraging on Women’s World Banking’s international expertise in women-focused financial inclusion to provide innovative financial and non-financial solutions tailored to the needs of female entrepreneurs.
IFC and Banco Industrial Expand Financing for SMEs, With a Focus on Women-Led Businesses and the Legal Amazon
The investment will support women-led businesses in particular and help expand financial services in the Brazilian Legal Amazon region, contributing to promoting the country's inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
IFC, TLG Capital Announce $75m First Close of African Private Credit Fund to Support SMEs
The fund will provide financing in partnership with African banks to support up to 20 SMEs that face stress with their existing loan options.
Join the Global SME Finance Awards 2025 | Information Session
This session will spotlight the Product Innovation of the Year category — highlighting its unique criteria, value to financial service providers, and global significance.
Council of Europe Development Bank Approves Loans to MFIs in Albania, Montenegro and Spain
Albanian MFI Fed Invest and Montenegrin MFI Alter Modus d.o.o, will each receive an $11 million loan, while Spanish MFI Nuevo MicroBank will receive a $110 million loan.
IFC and Afriland First Bank Cameroon Partner to Boost SME Financing in Cameroon
Under the partnership, IFC will loan First Bank up to $60 million equivalent in euros, including $20 million from IFC’s own account and $40 million mobilized from other lenders to increase access to finance for thousands of smaller businesses in Cameroon.
Villgro Drives Financial Inclusion for Women Entrepreneurs in India
Villgro has announced that the innovative financing solutions powered by Villgro and its partner organizations have, to date, enabled 106 women micro entrepreneurs across India to take business loans.
Incofin Invests in Banco Ficohsa Nicaragua to Accelerate Women’s Leadership in Business
With a $10 million, three-year debt facility, Banco Ficohsa Nicaragua will provide accessible loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a dedicated focus on women entrepreneurs.
Inclusive Action Awards - Global 2025
Inclusive Action Hub is looking to award enterprises in low- or middle-income countries with fewer than 250 employees, actively driving gender inclusion.