The credit line, 50% guaranteed by the EU, will expand access to finance for women-led and climate-resilient agricultural businesses in East and Southern Africa.

Highlights

● $10M loan from Swedfund to support MSMEs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia
● Targets women entrepreneurs and climate-resilient agricultural SMEs
● Platcorp disbursed $306M in MSME loans in 2024, including $20M in agriculture

Platcorp Group has secured a $10 million credit line from Swedfund, the Swedish development finance institution, to strengthen access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in East and Southern Africa. The funding was announced on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

The loan is earmarked for use in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, with a focus on underserved rural areas. Half of the facility is guaranteed by the European Union through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+). Women-led businesses and agricultural SMEs using climate-resilient practices are key targets.

“This investment supports the expansion of financial services in underserved communities and contributes to Swedfund’s broader objectives of inclusive and sustainable economic development in low-income countries,” said Jakob Larsson, Senior Investment Director at Swedfund.

In 2024, Platcorp invested $306 million in loans to MSMEs (out of $347 million disbursed in total for loans), including $20.2 million in agriculture. According to the group’s latest ESG report, agriculture employs over 70% of Africa’s population but continues to face systemic challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and limited access to financing.

Platcorp says it has financed 37,453 farmers and served nearly 88,586 MSME customers to date. Women represent 62% of beneficiaries, 27% are youth, and nearly half live in rural areas. The average loan size is $323.

Operating in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Lesotho, and Zambia, Platcorp is a non-bank financial services provider focused on expanding financial inclusion. Its partnership with Swedfund began in 2018.

This article was initially published in French by Chamberline Moko

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho