• IFC plans a $25 million senior loan to strengthen BOA Congo’s SME lending

• At least 10% of the funding will go to women-led businesses

• Final approval expected at IFC board meeting on June 16, 2025

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to invest $25 million in Bank of Africa Congo (BOA Congo) to support lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including businesses led by women.

The funding, structured as a five-year senior loan with a two-year grace period, was announced on May 13, 2025. The loan is subject to approval at the IFC board meeting scheduled for June 16.

According to IFC, at least 10% of the funds will be allocated to women-owned or women-led SMEs, a segment that often struggles to access formal financing.

The IFC will also provide advisory support to BOA Congo to strengthen its governance, risk management, and business development practices. The support includes developing new financial products such as leasing, and improving the way the bank identifies and tracks SME clients. BOA Congo currently operates 23 branches across the country.

If approved, the initiative will align with efforts by the Congolese government to improve SME access to credit. Since 2021, the state-backed Impulse, Guarantee, and Support Fund (IGSF) has provided support to entrepreneurs and banks. The fund began with CFA15 billion ($25.5 million) and plans to allocate CFA7 billion in 2025.