The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has extended a $15 million SME finance facility to Ecobank Zimbabwe under its Export SME Development Programme (ESDP), in a move aimed at strengthening export-oriented small businesses across key sectors of the economy.
The Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund has made an anchor investment in Sabou Capital, a Nigeria-based impact fund focused on scaling small and medium-sized enterprises across West and Central Africa, as institutional capital begins to flow more deliberately toward secondary cities and underserved regional markets.
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has approved a commitment of up to $100 million to invest in Africa-focused technology fund managers, with initial allocations going to Lightrock Africa Fund II and Future Africa Fund III as the institution increases its exposure to the continent’s digital economy.
Development finance institutions British International Investment (BII) and Norfund have provided a combined $80 million financing package to NMB Bank to expand lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and agricultural businesses in Tanzania.
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and Proparco, a subsidiary of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group, have signed a €200 million financing agreement (approximately CFAF 131 billion).
Impact Fund Denmark has committed an additional DKK 40 million to the Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities Fund (NHAOF), increasing funding available to small and medium-sized enterprises in Somalia as the country continues to face pressure from conflict, climate shocks and limited access to long-term capital.
The World Bank Group’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Standard Chartered have launched a risk-sharing facility of up to $300 million to expand supply chain finance and support business growth across Africa.
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has committed $5 million in debt financing to Ethiopian electric mobility company Dodai as part of its $13 million Series A funding round.
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has committed capital to Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) $750 million Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund (ICRF), in a move aimed at expanding climate adaptation financing across the continent.
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has launched a new five-year strategy aimed at mobilising £9 billion of capital into Africa to support economic growth, with a stronger focus on frontier markets, climate finance and private sector development.
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has announced the successful closing of a $100 million, 5-year loan facility from the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank), further strengthening its long-standing partnership with the institution.
In a time of uncertainty and rapid change, South African family businesses are showing exceptional resilience and growth. While family businesses generate around two-thirds of global GDP and 60% of jobs, according to the United Nations, many face increasing challenges. However, South African family business leaders reported double-digit sales growth in 2025, highlighting the country’s enduring strength.
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has reached financial close and disbursed €43m under the Poro Power Green Bond, the first project finance green bond issued in Côte d’Ivoire and within the West African Economic and Monetary Union.
The Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), the impact investment arm of the Open Society Foundations, has committed $7m to Persistent’s Africa Climate Venture Builder Fund (ACV Fund), a $70m blended finance vehicle aimed at scaling early-stage climate innovation across Africa. The investment forms part of SEDF’s broader push into locally led climate and development strategies on the continent.
