To further empower African enterprises, FMO announced that it will support its long-time partner, the Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa (REGMIFA) through a USD 10 mln investment. FMO is putting in an extra USD 10 million into B-shares, showing its strong commitment since 2010. This new funding will help REGMIFA grow its portfolio across Sub-Saharan Africa, offering crucial financial support to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, as well as low- and middle-income households through selected financial institutions.
Dedicated to fostering diverse financial ecosystems, REGMIFA collaborates with a variety of entities, including microfinance institutions, innovative fintech startups, and mid-sized banks focused on SME financing. These strategic investments are instrumental in advancing key sectors such as education, agriculture, and clean energy, alongside traditional microfinance and SME banking. REGMIFA places a strong emphasis on sustainability, ensuring that all loan recipients adhere to rigorous Environmental & Social risk management practices, thereby promoting responsible and enduring development.
Key for FMO is that the fund reaches financial institutions that on-lend to MSME end-borrowers that are either too small or risky for FMO to directly invest in and is active in countries outside of FMO’s portfolio (such as Niger, Angola, and Mali)—allowing FMO to maximize its impact in even more countries across the African continent.
Juan Jose Dada Ortiz, Director Financial Institutions at FMO, commented: “By renewing our commitment to REGMIFA through our long-term partner Symbiotics, we’re able to reach smaller financial institutions and end-beneficiaries in LDCs and frontier markets outside of our portfolio, allowing us to maximize our impact. Our investment in the Fund is 2X Challenge-aligned due to the strong female leadership on the REGMIFA Board, its focus on gender-lens investing, and having over 30% of end-borrowers being female. Together with Symbiotics, we look forward to fostering economic development throughout the Sub-Saharan African region.”
Laure Wessemius-Chibrac, Chairwoman of the REGMIFA Board, added: "Our strengthened alliance with FMO embodies our commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in Africa. This substantial investment is more than financial support; it's a catalyst for innovation and resilience, enabling micro and small enterprises to flourish and positively impact countless lives."
For FMO, this endorsement is a testament to the enduring partnership and arrives at a crucial moment for REGMIFA. It enables sustained support to investees, helping them navigate liquidity and risk challenges in the region effectively.