In the second half of 2023, the Foundation strengthened its position in Central Europe with the granting of a new loan to a partner in Georgia.
In Georgia, the Foundation granted a new loan to Lazika in local currency equivalent to 1,030,000 euros. A partner since 2017, this microfinance institution seeks to "stimulate the legalization and institutionalization of entrepreneurship, particularly in rural areas, with a high concentration of informal income-generating activities and gateways that segment themselves to SME standards"... It works mainly in rural areas and has 48% women among its 22,000 clients.
With this new loan, the Foundation strengthens its presence in Central Asia, which represents 18,% of the total outstanding amount monitored by the Foundation at the end of July 2023.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Georgie_Lazika_Nani-Didier-Gentilhomme-3-e1702395159550.jpg567850Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-10-16 10:00:492024-01-23 17:06:43Increased activity in Central Europe.
SAM is an event biennial 5-day event dedicated to the development of financial inclusion in Africa. The 6th edition will take place in Lomé, Togo, from October 16 to 20, 2023, at the International Conference Center (CIC) and the February 2 Hotel.
The calendar
Several members of the Foundation will speak at conferences and workshops
On Monday, October 16, a 1er A workshop organized by the Foundation on BCAO regulations will take place, followed by a second workshop on analyzing the rise in security risks in the Sahel with Edouard Sers, Director of Risk, Compliance and Impact at the Foundation.
Véronique Faujour, General Delegate of the Foundation and Secretary General of Crédit Agricole SA, will speak on Wednesday, October 18, at the Closing Plenary Session – From Awareness to Action: Lessons from the SAM
Khady Fall will be present at the Investors' Forum at the Foundation's stand No. 10, on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 to meet our partners.
On Friday, October 19, a field visit is organized at the IMF Assilassimé Solidarité.
Goals
The SAM conference aims to provide a platform for exchange and sharing of ideas. The 2023 edition, entitled "Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Finance," will focus on the role that inclusive finance can play not only in reducing these risks and vulnerabilities, but also in supporting the transition to a green and climate-resilient economy.
The opportunity to meet its partners
On the occasion of SAM 2023, the Foundation will meet with its African partners, notably those involved in the technical assistance program in Sub-Saharan Africa, developed since 2019 in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Luxembourg Government. Meetings will be organized ahead of SAM 2023 and will allow all parties involved to take stock of this mechanism, which has helped strengthen around fifteen microfinance institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Foundation's priority intervention area.
In the first half of 2023, the Foundation strengthened its position in sub-Saharan Africa with the granting of two new loans to two partners in Mali and Uganda.
In Mali, the Foundation grants a new loan to Baobab Mali amounting to 2,000,000 Euros. This microfinance institution's mission is to "unlock the potential of its clients by offering them simple and easy-to-use financial services." It operates primarily in urban areas and has 41% women among its 18,643 clients.
In Uganda, the Foundation has granted a new loan to Vision Fund Uganda in local currency equivalent to 500,000 euros. A partner since 2017, this microfinance institution belongs to the Vision Fund group, the first partner to launch a specific program on the financial inclusion of refugees within the framework of financing from Swedish international cooperation (SIDA) and the UNHCR. To date, the institution serves 50,593 active borrowers (60 % women and 95 % in rural areas) and manages a portfolio of 7.5 million euros. This is the 4th loan granted by the Foundation.
With these two new loans, the Foundation is strengthening its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, which represents 56,% of the total outstanding amount monitored by the Foundation at the end of July 2023.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/141.png367550Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-10-02 12:00:032024-02-14 11:29:30Increased activity in Sub-Saharan Africa
The signing of a partnership agreement with the ACEP group opens up a new integrated consulting approach for the Foundation: support the digital transformation of ACEP Group in Cameroon, Niger, Burkina Faso and Madagascar.
On June 6, all representatives of ACEP's subsidiaries met with the Foundation's team for an initial in-person steering meeting. It was an opportunity to take stock and discuss the implementation of this unprecedented partnership.
In 2022, the Foundation, a partner of three ACEP Group subsidiaries since 2016, was approached by ACEP Conseil as part of their digital transformation plan. This €10.6 million program, of which €6.3 million is co-financed by their subsidiaries and €4.2 million, the research of which is entrusted to the Foundation. Concretely, this involves supporting the group in their search for funds and coordinating the funds raised in order to facilitate the implementation of this digital transformation project for their subsidiaries.
A unique approach
ACEP is used to relying on its own resources, and for the first time is using a third-party structure to support it in its search for technical assistance funding. This is also a new partnership for the Foundation. Until now, the Foundation's technical assistance team sought grants and signed contracts with donors such as Proparco, the EIB, SIDA, etc., then shared these with its partners, on themes corresponding to the expectations of either donors or partners. This new approach, providing greater advice to its partners, corresponds to the desired evolution of its technical assistance activities.
A synergistic agreement
Each partner will be able to learn from the other. ACEP, which is leading the project's implementation, requires the Foundation's experience in fundraising and managing the funds raised. The Foundation, for its part, will contribute to a large-scale digital transformation program.
ACEP
Founded in 1999, the Private Enterprise Credit Agency is a private operator specializing in the creation of urban MFIs.
Partner of the Foundation since 2016 in 3 countries (Niger, Cameroon, Burkina Faso,), its mission is to support small informal entrepreneurs who need credit.
ACEP in figures: 30 years of experience / 160,000 entrepreneur clients including 40% women borrowers / 124M outstanding loans
Testimony of Thierry Perreau, director of ACEP Conseil
Testimony of Yann AKINDELE, CEO of ACEP Cameroon, who explains why ACEP Cameroon is committed to digital transformation at the local level with its clients:
A lasting partnership
The Foundation has supported three ACEP Group subsidiaries since 2016 with debt and technical assistance. A total of eight loans were granted in local currency, equivalent to a total amount of €12.5 million. Fifteen technical assistance missions were conducted on the following themes: social performance management, digitalization of operations and products, introduction to customer centricity, internal audit and risk management, and financial management.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image00006-e1690362543813.jpeg850638Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-07-26 11:07:422024-02-14 11:30:17Meeting with ACEP as part of the partnership focused on the group's digital transformation
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is delighted to announce that it has been awarded Best International Organisation for Inclusive Finance – Europe 2023 at the 2023 Non-Profit Organisation Awards.International Acquisition.
This recognition reinforces our commitment to continue our mission to contribute to the fight against poverty and inequality by promoting financial inclusion and social impact entrepreneurship, empowering women entrepreneurs, encouraging collaborations and driving positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape.
All awards are based solely on merit and recognize the most deserving individuals for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving to them that they deserve recognition.
Holly Blackwood, Awards Coordinator, took the time to comment on the success of this year's winners: "Hosting the Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2023 has been a pleasure. It's been great to see the diversity of organisations consistently offering help to people all over the world, and I wish them every success for the rest of 2023 – and beyond!"
Acquisition International is a monthly magazine published by AI Global Media Ltd, distributed to more than 85,000 professionals, investment, business advisors and service providers.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Congrats-Awards-e1688025700399.jpg447850Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-06-29 10:30:172023-06-29 16:26:02The Foundation receives the award for the best international organization for inclusive finance in 2023 – Europe
The new edition of the Foundation's integrated report has just been published, and you can now discover the highlights of the year in words and images:
As of December 31, 2022, the Foundation managed €86.2 million in outstanding loans for 69 microfinance institutions and 10 social enterprises in 36 countries. Women's entrepreneurship and the development of rural economies remain at the heart of its work: 91 of the 9.2 million beneficiaries are women, and 82 live in rural areas.
Faced with an international context marked by geopolitical and economic instability and climate change in the countries of intervention, the Foundation continued in 2022 with conviction its action to strengthen the financial inclusion of women and the sustainable economic development of rural areas.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/presentation-RA_Page_1_Image_0001-e1688027716792.jpg597347Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-06-28 08:55:192024-07-05 16:39:152022 Edition of the Integrated Report
In the first half of 2023, the Foundation continued to consolidate its position in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with the granting of three new loans to three partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Foundation grants a second loan to Mi-Bospo amounting to 2,000,000 Euros. This microfinance institution works mainly in rural areas and has 59% women among its 26,196 clients. Mi-Bospo provides access to credit and non-financial services to individuals, and in particular to women entrepreneurs.
A new loan in local currency equivalent to 700,000 euros has been granted to Oxus Tajikistan, a partner microfinance institution since 2012. Founded in 2004 by the French NGO ACTEDOxus Tajikistan is registered as a microcredit institution and is supervised by the National Bank of Tajikistan. Its mission is to provide transparent and accountable financial services to the working poor and the unbanked. Oxus Tajikistan is committed to creating and delivering the most effective microfinance services to sustainably improve the living conditions of its clients. This is the fifth loan granted by the Foundation, strengthening its partnership with Oxus Tajikistan since 2012. To date, the institution serves 14,292 active borrowers (40 % women and 82 % in rural areas) and manages a portfolio of €16.6 million. Oxus Tajikistan operates in the eastern half of Tajikistan, from north to south, through a network of 27 outlets and agencies and 186 employees.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Foundation granted a new loan to Oxus Kyrgyzstanin local currency equivalent to 1.5 million Euros. A partner since 2016, this microfinance institution, founded in 2006 by the OXUS group and ACTED, is committed to providing financial services to the working poor and underbanked in Kyrgyzstan. To date, the institution served 10,895 active borrowers (56 % women and 65 % in rural areas) and managed a portfolio of 9.4 million Euros. This is the 6th loan granted by the Foundation and aA technical assistance mission was carried out in October 2021.
With these 3 new loans, the Foundation strengthens its portfolio in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which represents 29 % of the total outstanding amount monitored by the Foundation at the end of April 2023.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/KIRGHIZSTAN_OXUS-Didier-Gentilhomme-1-e1685955269652.jpg567850Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-06-06 11:39:392024-07-05 16:39:32Increased activity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Replay of the show “ Choose Africa on air" from June 8, 2021, organized by Proparco, which focused on entrepreneurship in Africa. Economic stakeholders, entrepreneurs, experts and financial partners, including the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, came together to share experiences and help better understand the challenges facing entrepreneurs on the African continent and Proparco's appropriate responses.
Africa is the continent with the highest rate of entrepreneurs. But today, only 20% of SMEs on the continent have access to bank loans and 87% of startups have no access to financing. There is therefore a real lack of financing adapted to small businesses.
Following the health crisis, AFD has decided to strongly support the entrepreneurial fabric in Africa, which plays a key role in economic recovery. The informal sector remains an essential component of sub-Saharan African economies. Regardless of a project's stage of development, an inclusive support approach is essential to finance as many businesses as possible.
Philippe Guichandut, Director of Technical Assistance and Partnerships at the Foundation, explained how microfinance meets the needs of vulnerable entrepreneurs excluded from traditional banking services. Find his speech below:
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Choose-AFrica-e1685960379412.jpg433850Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-06-05 14:43:542024-07-05 16:40:30Choose Africa on air
The Foundation recently granted a new local currency loan equivalent to 3 million euros to Faten, a microfinance institution established in 1999 by Save-the-Children in the Palestinian Territories. Faten is registered as a non-profit limited liability company and is supervised by the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA). Faten's mission is to meet the financial services needs of low- and middle-income Palestinian entrepreneurs and individuals.
The partnership between Faten and the Foundation began in 2012 and since then, three loans have been granted for a total amount of 4 million Euros.
As of April 2022, Faten served 25,981 active borrowers (331 women and 681 rural borrowers) and managed a portfolio of €135,947,533. The institution operates throughout the Palestinian territories (West Bank and Gaza) through a network of 35 branches and 266 employees.
The Foundation now has two partners in Palestine, where it has been present since 2012: Faten and Acad.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Palestine_FATEN-Philippe-Lissac-53-e1684660229944.jpg566850Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-05-22 08:00:482024-07-05 16:40:57The Foundation consolidates its partnership with Faten in Palestine
The Solidarity Bankers program, launched in 2018 by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Crédit Agricole SA., allows the group's employees to contribute to socially useful projects through their skills. A variety of missions are offered, in person or remotely, to support microfinance institutions and socially and environmentally impact companies that are partners of the Foundation.
In this context, Anya Lounis of Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring in 2022 and today at Crédit Agricole Insurance And Anne Elizabeth Starr of Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank traveled to Georgia in 2022 for a two-week mission to Lazika Capital, a microfinance institution. Their goal was to analyze existing marketing initiatives, collaborate with local teams to develop the 2023 marketing plan, and improve financial product sales management. Their testimonials reflect the positive impact of this experience.
Discover the daily life of their mission in video through 3 vlog episodes:
Episode 1: Arrival in Georgia.
Episode 2: Immersion.
Episode 3: Leaving Georgia.
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Anne Elizabeth Starr, Head of Trade Finance Sales to Financial Institutions at Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, emphasizes the importance of the human aspect of this mission: “Anya and I had a shared vision for this mission in Georgia: to support Lazika Capital in its objectives as best we could and to fully experience this human adventure!” She also mentions the inspiring meetings with Lazika Capital’s farmer clients, which enriched their understanding of local needs and culture.
Anya Lounis, a solidarity banker at Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring in 2022, now Operational Marketing Manager at Crédit Agricole Assurances, shares her enthusiasm for this professional and personal experience, which allowed her to put her skills to work for financial inclusion: "This opportunity allowed me to take a step back and be open-minded. Anne Elizabeth and I had to adapt since we were unfamiliar with the microfinance sector."
Lazika Capital, founded in 2000 in Georgia by Oxfam Great Britain, is a Tier 2 microfinance institution (an organization with a portfolio of between $10 million and $100 million). Based in Zugdidi, it operates through 18 branches in western Georgia and provides financial services to mainly rural low- and middle-income entrepreneurs. Lazika Capital has 280 employees and 77 loan officers.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Vlog-screenshot.png9741818Marie Laumonthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr-300x76.pngMarie Laumont2023-05-08 17:51:302024-07-05 16:42:08Immersion in the heart of a solidarity banking mission in Georgia
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