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Proparco and Groupe Duval join forces to support sustainable urban development in emerging markets
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• On the occasion of the Africa CEO Forum 2026, held in Kigali from May 13 to 15, Proparco and Groupe Duval strengthen their financial and operational partnership.
• Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), their cooperation aims to support the development of sustainable cities and job creation in emerging markets.
Building on a longstanding relationship initiated in 2018, Proparco and Groupe Duval have already collaborated on several projects across multiple geographies. As a family-owned entrepreneurial group and a mission-driven company since 2024, Groupe Duval pursues a long-term development strategy focused on creating sustainable value for territories. Most recently, the partnership was illustrated through the “Village Notre Père” project signed during the 2025 Africa CEO Forum.
This new agreement reflects a shared ambition to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and demographic growth in developing countries, by supporting the emergence of more inclusive and sustainable urban models and enhancing access to quality infrastructure. It also aims to strengthen the resilience of local economies by fostering entrepreneurship and supporting energy-efficient real estate assets.
The partnership also builds on Groupe Duval’s integrated model as investor, developer and operator, combining operational expertise with a strong local footprint. It reflects a shared commitment to delivering tangible impact through projects designed to create sustainable value for territories and local communities.
Through this partnership, Proparco and Groupe Duval intend to:
- Promote high-quality, sustainable residential, commercial, and office real estate projects;
- Foster financial and social inclusion by improving access to tailored financial and insurance solutions for entrepreneurs;
- Support the transition towards low-carbon and energy-efficient buildings;
- Strengthen human capital, including through skills development and the promotion of gender equality;
- Mobilize innovative financing solutions to scale up impact.
Together, Proparco and Groupe Duval aim to develop more resilient urban ecosystems, generating sustainable growth and quality employment across emerging markets.
For Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco, “This partnership with Groupe Duval marks an important step in advancing sustainable and inclusive urban development in emerging markets. By combining our expertise, we aim to scale up projects that deliver both environmental and social impact, particularly for underserved communities.”
For Eric Duval, Founder and Chairman of Groupe Duval, “For more than thirty years, Groupe Duval has pursued an entrepreneurial vision focused on creating sustainable value for territories. This strengthened partnership with Proparco reflects our shared ambition to support more resilient, inclusive and sustainable development models across emerging markets.”