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Philippe Guichandut recently spoke at the Uniglobal Conference on March 13-14, 2025, an international event bringing together major players in inclusive finance, Berlin. During this edition, he shared his expertise on key issues for Grameen Agricultural Credit.
As part of an intervention dedicated to the financial inclusion of refugees, Philippe highlighted the initiatives carried out in Uganda, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships to address the specific needs of this vulnerable population. He also addressed the challenges of country risks in contexts marked by instability, such as Myanmar, Mali, Burkina Faso, Palestine and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among the innovative solutions presented, the guarantee mechanism supported by DAMAN in Palestine, supported by the SIDI, illustrated the adaptability and resilience of microfinance players.
This participation was an opportunity to reaffirm Grameen Crédit Agricole's commitment to inclusive, sustainable and supportive finance, serving the most vulnerable populations.
Skills volunteering program launched in 2018 by Grameen Crédit Agricole and open to all employees of the Crédit AgricoleSolidarity Bankers invites professionals from various Group entities to work for several weeks, alone or in groups, in favor of microfinance institutions and impact businesses supported by the Foundation.
Beyond the usefulness of their missions for their beneficiaries, the Solidarity Bankers also mention positive tripartite effects for Crédit Agricole and the volunteers.
Anne Duval, HR and Organization Performance Leader, CA-TS, Delphine Testemale, Talent, Careers and Diversity Manager, Crédit Agricole Centre Est, François Galland, retired from Crédit Agricole SA returning from Benign And Penelope Cellier, Audit Manager – General Inspection, CACEIS and Thierry Boîte, Director of Development, LCL after their mission at Togo shared their experience.
From 2018, there is no doubt that the missions carried out by the Group's employees met the expectations and needs of the beneficiaries. More than 70 missions were carried out by more than 60 Solidarity Bankers in favor of 45 partners distributed in 24 countries. More than 750 active contacts within the group, eligible for skills sponsorship have also been identified, in particular through the J'agis Platform since 2023.
For Solidarity Bankers, as indicated Penelope Cellier, a mission represents much more than just discovering the country, the functioning and culture of a microfinance institution and those who locally run it. A personal contribution "well beyond my expectations" underlines Thierry Boite.
Whether it is a mission related to human resources, compliance or any other expertise, it is essential for a Solidarity Banker to master broad skills on the theme of his mission indicates François Galland in order to be able to exploit them and benefit from them in a completely different context.
At the start, I didn't necessarily expect the mission to challenge me about my own daily practices and attitudes. On site, I was surprised: the mission offered me concrete lessons on how to work with people from very different cultures and backgrounds. An enrichment that now helps to optimize the exercise of my profession" says Delphine Testemale.
All are convinced that this produces a sort of mirror effect which contributes to their personal development which they, upon their return, use to their benefit. of their teams.
And this is all the more true since the preparatory work can be very comprehensive and long and encourage us to take a step back, reflect and even innovate.
These missions create very strong human bonds that last both professionally and personally. Anne Duval who completed her second mission maintains relationships with the people she met in Senegal and Benin. She plans to return to Benin to see them again and is currently organizing a clothing collection for children.
"We were welcomed with open arms. Carrying out missions like these allows us to establish strong human relationships, authentic communication, and genuine sharing, including personal ones."
In several ways, these missions serve the Group's purpose and are part of the Human and Societal Projects. Utility, inclusion, innovation, and personal development can easily be associated with them. Their added value is not limited to the beneficiaries alone, but also serves the Solidarity Bankers, more indirectly their teams and stakeholders, but also the image of Crédit Agricole and even according to Thierry Boite “its radiance”.
Hanadi Tutunji, Technical Assistance Program Manager, spoke at the European Microfinance Week 2024 in Luxembourg (EMW 2024).
THE November 14, this session highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to the financial inclusion of refugees, a central theme of this edition. Concrete examples, notably in Uganda, illustrated the need to strengthen the capacities of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and financial actors to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable population.
Refugees, often perceived as a temporary population, actually reside in host countries for long periods. Uganda, For example, 77 % refugees have been living there for more than ten years, making the country the largest host of refugees in Africa and the fifth largest in the world.
During this session, Hanadi Tutunji emphasized the importance of developing tailored financial solutions to promote the economic integration and self-reliance of refugees. She also highlighted opportunities for collaboration with strategic partners, emphasizing the need to choose partners aligned with the values of inclusion and social responsibility. The selection of partners is based on their ability to understand the specific needs of refugees and to offer innovative and sustainable solutions.
In this International Women's Day, Grameen Crédit Agricole wishes to recognize the essential role that women play in the society and economy of emerging countries. For 16 years, Grameen Crédit Agricole has been promoting the empowerment of women by strengthening the partners it supports who provide them with tailored global financial solutions. Among the organizations supported by Grameen Crédit Agricole are: 6.7 million of beneficiaries including 73 % women And 76 % customers in rural areas.
Women are true drivers of economic and social change. When they have the means to undertake and generate income, they prioritize investing in the well-being of their families and communities. Their financial autonomy strengthens their decision-making power within the household and allows them to break the cycle of poverty.
Grameen Agricultural Credit promotes local financial inclusion and supports women entrepreneurs in emerging countries: farmers, traders, peasants, and artisans. Their determination, creativity, and resilience are a constant source of inspiration. This is why we will continue to innovate to better meet their specific needs.
On this symbolic day, let us pay tribute to all these exceptional women who, through their hard work, are building a better future for themselves, their families, and their local communities. Together, let us continue our efforts for a fairer and more inclusive society, where gender equality is fully achieved.
Thierry Uy Tiv (Innovation and customer) and Robin Lavrilloux (Head of the Financing Team), participated in the recording of a podcast in Thailand dedicated to financial inclusion, organized by the Macroeconomic Policy Bureau, THE Fiscal Policy Journal and the KM TaskforceThe event highlighted the transformation of communities through inclusive finance.
The discussions addressed the challenges and opportunities related to access to financial services in regions marked by significant socioeconomic inequalities. Experts shared their experiences and discussed innovative strategies to promote financial inclusion, such as the use of fintechs and incentive-based tax policies. They also highlighted the importance of local initiatives that enable disadvantaged populations to better access banking services and microfinance solutions, particularly for women, who are often excluded from financial services.
Additionally, they highlighted the crucial role of responsible investments in creating a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem. The experience of other countries was discussed to illustrate how successful models of financial inclusion have transformed the lives of many communities around the world.
In 2023, Grameen Crédit Agricole supported VisionFund Tanzania , with a loan of 2 million euros. This microfinance institution improves the lives of low-income entrepreneurs by providing them with sustainable and inclusive financial services. These loans play a vital role in empowering women entrepreneurs, who represent nearly 60 % of their customers. Thanks to this funding, they develop income-generating activities, improve their living conditions and invest in the education of their children, thus unlocking the economic and social potential of the local community.
Digitalization is also a key lever for VisionFund Tanzania. Using digital tools, managers have simplified loan processes, made services more accessible, and improved operational efficiency. This innovative approach has made life easier for women entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, where 63 % of the customer is located.
Inspiring testimonies from women entrepreneurs illustrate the tangible impact of these loans: local job creation, increased family income, and increased self-confidence. These results demonstrate that microfinance, combined with digitalization, is a powerful tool for unlocking the economic potential of communities and sustainably improving quality of life.
From December 8 to 10, 2024, the Foundation's directors carried out a mission to Senegal, punctuated by inspiring visits and constructive discussions with local partners. This immersion aimed to better understand the impact of the Foundation's initiatives in the country.
On the agenda for the first day: visit to the agency of VisionFund Senegal in Fatick, where administrators met with microcredit clients, mainly women, who use these loans to develop income-generating activities. The day continued with a discovery of Plastic Odyssey Factory, an innovative recycling plant, and concluded with a dinner with local entrepreneurs.
The next day, the administrators visited the Nobin Project, a program aimed at transforming unemployed young women into entrepreneurs, as well as Haskè Conseil, an innovation hub dedicated to private sector development in West Africa.
Through this mission, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting local initiatives that drive economic, social, and environmental progress. These meetings highlighted the central role of microfinance and impact businesses in improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations in Senegal.
The Foundation contributed and supported as a partner, the fourth edition of the Impact Finance Barometer, unveiled during the 16th 3Zeros World Forum on September 17, 2022, in the presence of Edouard Sers, Risk and Impact Director of the Foundation.
This publication offers the latest trends and key figures in the impact investing and financial inclusion sector, and provides concrete examples of its operational capabilities on a global scale. Coordinated by Convergences, this barometer of impact finance 2024 is the result of a collective effort bringing together contributions from several organizations: Ring Capital, Taméo, FAIR, ATLAS, e-MFP, HEC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, CERISE+SPTF and Green Finance.
As part of this special report entitled "Impact finance, a lever for a just and inclusive transition", the Foundation has proposed an article revealing innovative initiatives in the face of socio-political risks in financial inclusion in West and Central Africa, collected during a workshop organized at the African Microfinance Week in October 2023.
Edouard Sers and other speakers participated in a roundtable discussion. They addressed several central questions and shared their experiences:
How to integrate sociopolitical risks into financial inclusion? SSE and financing in France: why is it so difficult to raise funds? How can we ensure that social performance is at the heart of all financing activities?
How to inform and engage impact investors in key sectors.
Download the Barometer by clicking here.
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Source: Convergences
December 6, 2024, at Proparco headquarters, a new agreement between the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation And Proparco has been signed. This ambitious partnership aims to join forces between the two organizations to promote financial inclusion in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Balkans.
By partnering with Proparco, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation aims to scale up the implementation of high-impact projects. These initiatives include technical support to promote:
Historical partner of the Foundation since 2010Proparco shares common strategic objectives, particularly in the area of responsible financial inclusion. This new agreement strengthens a rich collaboration, enabling both entities to amplify their impact and effectively address economic and social challenges in the regions concerned.
Two new technical assistance programs will be supported by Proparco and implemented soon:
This renewed partnership demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to building innovative and sustainable solutions for the most vulnerable populations.
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To find out more:
Proparco Proparco is the AFD Group subsidiary dedicated to the private sector. Its operations aim to strengthen the contribution of private actors to achieving the SDGs. Proparco participates in financing and supporting businesses and financial institutions in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Its action focuses on key development sectors: infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy, agribusiness, financial institutions, health, and education.
