In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 43% of the economic activity is managed by women. However, many constraints limit Congolese women entrepreneurship. To support women's economic empowerment and reveal the potential of their businesses, AFD Group is financing the "Pour Elles" project with a 12 million euros grant.

To mark COP27, which will be held in Egypt from 6 to 18 November, Proparco has released the 38th issue of its Private Sector & Development magazine dedicated to climate change adaptation. Through analyses from experts in the sector (think tanks, donors, entrepreneurs, etc.), this latest issue presents the drivers for action of Development Finance Institutions and the private sector faced with the challenges of the climate crisis.

Renewable energies hold a specific place within the mission and actions supported by Proparco all over the world. Since 2000, Proparco has financed 125 energy projects in developing countries representing 3.3 Bn€ in financings and 12.9 GW in installed capacity spanning all technologies (solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric). Our priorities are: develop a low-carbon economy, favour universal access to energy and contribute to sustainable development within the countries we operate in. Joint interview with Fatoumata Sissoko-Sy, Regional Director West Africa for Proparco, and Raphaël Ruat, Managing Director of Biovea Energie.

The guarantee package granted by Proparco amounts to 12 million dollars. It will enable Banque pour le Commerce et l'Industrie (BCI) Mauritanie to strengthen its import financing activity in Mauritania, which is essential for the functioning of the economy.

For her first visit to North Africa since her nomination as head of Proparco, Françoise Lombard has chosen Morocco. On this occasion, she will meet with companies supported by Proparco, notably in the health and environment sectors: Amanys and Arma. They illustrate AFD Group's new 2022-2026 strategy, which aims to accompany Morocco on the path of the "New Development Model", at a time when the institution has celebrated its 30th anniversary of presence in Morocco.

Proparco announced a $20M Trade Finance Guarantee Facility for Coronation Merchant Bank (CMB). This will enable Coronation Merchant Bank to establish and deepen partnerships with correspondent banks, thereby increasing access to trade finance in Nigeria.

At the eve of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Janngo Capital Startup Fund (JCSF) has announced its first close at EUR34 million (approximately US$36 million) in capital commitments. Launched in Davos in 2020, Janngo Capital’s latest fund will invest 50% of its proceeds in companies founded, co founded, or benefiting women. Backed by global financial institutions as well as leading private corporations, the fund management company plans to invest EUR60 million (approximately US$63 million) in startups leveraging technology to leapfrog development and achieve SDGs in Africa.

Proparco and DenizBank have successfully signed a 45 million euro senior loan. Thanks to this facility, the Turkish bank will expand its support to green projects (renewable energy and energy efficiency) and the agricultural sector.

Circulate Capital, the Singapore-based investment-management firm financing high-growth opportunities at the nexus of climate technology, plastic recycling, and the circular economy, announced today a third close for Circulate Capital Ocean Fund I-B (CCOF I-B), bringing the fund’s total commitments to US$53 million.

As the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union draws to a close, Proparco and the European Union (EU) announce the granting of a €3 million line of credit in local currency to the microfinance institution ACEP Burkina Faso. This line of credit benefits from the ESDF guarantee, a risk-sharing mechanism in favor of microentrepreneurs and VSEs/SMEs set up by the European Union in response to the Covid-19 crisis.