NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Kaleidofin, Apollo Agriculture and IDH Farmfit Fund Close Kenya’s First Private-Sector Agriculture Securitization Deal

Kenya has recorded a major milestone in agricultural finance after fintech company Kaleidofin completed the country’s first private-sector local currency securitization focused on smallholder farmers, unlocking fresh capital for rural lending.

Source

Empower Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

agtech, lending, partnerships, smallholder farmers

Bfree Raises $3.1 Million to Tackle Africa’s Growing Digital Loan Crisis

Unlike traditional debt collection firms, Bfree uses artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to analyse borrower behaviour, estimate repayment capacity, and create personalised repayment arrangements.

Source

Innovation Village (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

artificial intelligence, digital finance, fintech, lending, startups

SIDBI and Shell Foundation Launch US $3.1 Million Initiative to Expand Access to Green Finance for Nano-Entrepreneurs

Backed by a $3.1 million grant from Shell Foundation, the EN-Trans RSF provides a second-loss risk coverage to Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), including SIDBI as a lender, for loans extended to low-income communities.

Source

Shell Foundation (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing

Region

Asia Pacific

Tags

development finance, impact measurement, innovation, lending, MSMEs, solar

IFC, EIB Group and European Commission Back Biovac to Build Africa’s First End-To-End Multi-Vaccine Manufacturing Site, Advancing Vaccine Self-Reliance

The financing package includes a $20 million senior loan from IFC with additional mobilization in progress and a €75 million quasi-equity investment from EIB Group.

Source

IFC (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Health Care, Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

development finance, healthcare technology, infectious diseases, lending, manufacturing, public health, vaccines

FinDev Canada Provides USD $30 Million Loan to CIFI to Support Inclusive Economic Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean

The loan will enable CIFI to expand access to financing for private sector infrastructure projects in Official Development Assistance eligible countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Source

PR Newswire (link opens in a new window)

Region

Latin America

Tags

business development, infrastructure, lending, SDGs

TLG Capital Zambia Closes $5 Million SME Lending Facility

TLG Capital structured the scaling facility for Shona Capital Zambia. The deal targets businesses too large for microfinance but too small for traditional banks. This segment faces a $2 billion financing gap across Zambia.

Source

TLG Capital (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

lending, microfinance, MSMEs, scale

British International Investment Partners With Rawbank to Enhance Financial Inclusion for Small Businesses in DRC

BII’s $25 million senior loan facility will improve access to finance for SMEs and non-mining corporates in DRC.

Source

British International Investment (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

financial inclusion, impact investing, lending, MSMEs, partnerships

World Bank Approves $500 Million to Boost Nigeria’s Agriculture, Target One Million Farmers

The project is designed to improve farm productivity, strengthen value chains, and create jobs, while helping to stabilise food supply in Africa’s most populous nation.

Source

Africa Business Communities (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

food security, lending, smallholder farmers, supply chains