• IFC provides CFA14.5 billion ($25.5 million) senior loan to BOA Congo

• Funding targets micro, small, and medium enterprises, including women-led firms

• IFC will also support risk management, governance, and sustainability efforts

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has granted a CFA14.5 billion (about $25.5 million) senior loan to Bank of Africa Congo (BOA Congo). The loan, denominated in CFA francs, is backed by the local currency financing facility of the IDA Private Sector Window.

The agreement, signed on November 11, 2025, in Brazzaville, aims to strengthen access to credit for the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on women-led businesses, which are expected to receive 10% of the total amount.

This financing will enable BOA Congo to offer longer-term and more affordable loans. The goal is to fund more than 3,000 small enterprises over the next five years, in a context where private sector credit remains limited, accounting for only 13.8% of GDP.

According to the MSME Finance Gap report, nearly two-thirds of small Congolese businesses still face major obstacles in obtaining financing, and women entrepreneurs remain especially disadvantaged: only 44% have a bank account, and just 9% have access to formal credit.

“Every franc mobilized through this partnership will be invested wisely, in the sole interest of the Congolese economy and the development of the local private sector. Our ambition is clear: to make BOA Congo the leading SME bank—one that understands their challenges, anticipates their needs, and offers innovative, accessible, and responsible solutions,” said Mamadou Igor Diarra, Regional Director of BOA Central Africa.

Beyond financing, the IFC will support BOA Congo in strengthening credit risk management, implementing sound environmental and social practices, and improving banking governance.

This investment aligns with the IFC’s 2030 strategy, which focuses on mobilizing private capital to promote inclusive growth in Africa. The IFC, which recently opened an office in Brazzaville, is building a portfolio of about $100 million in the country, covering key sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, digital services, and infrastructure.

SG