Proparco Supports Sustainable Development in Africa

Proparco has been actively supporting sustainable development in Africa for many years. One of the key ways they do this is by investing in renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind power.

Their focus on renewable energy is driven by the need to reduce Africa's reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impact of climate change. This approach not only helps to protect the environment but also provides cleaner energy to communities across the continent.

Proparco's commitment to sustainable development in Africa is evident in their support for projects that promote energy access and efficiency. By investing in these types of projects, they aim to improve the lives of millions of people who currently lack access to reliable and sustainable energy.

For your interest: Development Finance Institution

Proparco's mission is to provide funding and support to businesses and financial institutions in various regions around the world.

Their focus areas include Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, and the Middle East. This global reach allows them to make a significant impact.

One of their main goals is to strengthen the contribution of private players to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is a critical step towards a more sustainable future.

Proparco's interventions aim to promote a sustainable and resilient economy. This is essential for long-term growth and stability.

Their action also focuses on protecting the planet and reducing inequalities. These are two key areas where they can make a real difference.

Here are the three impact objectives that guide their work:

Proparco has a magazine called Private Sector & Development that explores how the private sector can contribute to the development of southern countries. It features expert opinions from various fields, including researchers, private sector professionals, and development institutions.

Proparco supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through financing initiatives, such as the one it signed with BCI Guinea in 2025. This partnership aims to promote economic growth in Guinea.

The magazine Private Sector & Development provides a platform for experts to share their views on how the private sector can drive development in southern countries. Proparco's commitment to SME financing is evident in its operations, like the €3 million ARIZ portfolio guarantee it granted to FBNBank Senegal in 2025.

Here's an interesting read: Development Credit Authority

In Guinea, Proparco is working to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through partnerships with local banks. This includes a €15 million loan to Microinvest, which was successfully completed in a new credit facility with Proparco.

Proparco has also partnered with BCI Guinea to support SME financing. The two entities signed a deal in September 2025 to facilitate access to credit for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Guinea.

One notable example of Proparco's commitment to SME financing in Guinea is the €15 million loan to Microinvest. This loan aims to support the growth of SMEs in the country.

Here are some key facts about Proparco's work in Guinea:

Proparco is providing technical assistance to support the second phase of a project implemented by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation in Uganda.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is supporting this initiative.

Proparco is renewing its partnership with Accion by investing in its latest venture capital fund dedicated to supporting start-ups working to promote financial inclusion in countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Proparco has a wealth of experience in impact financing, with over 45 years under its belt.

The organization has signed an impressive 200 projects in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Proparco's reach is truly global, with interventions in 115 countries around the world.

Here's a snapshot of Proparco's key data:

Proparco has a diverse group of shareholders, with the Agence française de développement holding the largest percentage at 79.8%.

The majority of Proparco's shares are held by French entities, with the Agence française de développement being the largest shareholder.

Agence française de développement is the largest shareholder, holding 79.8% of Proparco's shares.

French financial institutions hold 8.2% of Proparco's shares, making them the second-largest group of shareholders.

International financial organisations hold 10.0% of Proparco's shares, placing them third in terms of shareholding.

French companies hold a relatively small percentage of Proparco's shares, with 1.4% being the total shareholding of this group.

Here's a breakdown of the top shareholders:

Some of the notable French financial institutions that hold shares in Proparco include BNP Paribas, BCPE IOM, CDC Entreprises Elan PME (BpiFrance), Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale.

Proparco is supporting the development of solar power plants in Sierra Leone through its investment in Planet Solar, providing an additional €390,000 to support grid connection for the local community.

In Sierra Leone, Proparco's investment in Planet Solar is focused on supporting the local community through grid connection. This is a significant step towards increasing access to renewable energy in the region.

Proparco is also participating in a USD 150 million loan syndicated by IFC, alongside the impact fund BlueOrchard, to support Golomt Bank in its financing operation. This highlights Proparco's commitment to supporting financial institutions in emerging markets.

The Hayssam El Jammal Group has launched the ProAlu Industrial Complex in Cameroon, a large-scale industrial project supported by Proparco with a 15% stake. This investment demonstrates Proparco's support for industrial development in Central Africa.

Banco Atlantico Europa has joined Proparco's trade finance guarantee program, expanding its network.

This is a significant move, as it will enable Banco Atlantico Europa to provide more financial services to its customers.

The program will allow Banco Atlantico Europa to offer trade finance solutions to its clients, facilitating trade between Europe and Portuguese-speaking African markets.

Banco Atlantico Europa is a financial institution renowned for financing trade between these regions.

Here are the key areas where Banco Atlantico Europa's involvement will make a difference:

SPE Capital, Proparco, and Amethis have invested in Delta Holdings, a prominent manufacturer of specialty products.

Delta Holdings is a notable company in its field, and this investment is a significant move by the consortium of investors.

SPE PEF III, a fund managed by SPE Capital, is one of the investors in Delta Holdings, along with Proparco and Amethis MENA Fund II.

In Sierra Leone, solar power is gaining momentum with the support of Proparco and Planet Solar. Proparco has provided an additional €390 000 to Planet Solar to support grid connection for the local community.

A different take: Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges

This investment is a significant step towards increasing access to renewable energy in Sierra Leone. The funds will help connect more people to the grid, improving their quality of life.

With a total investment of €390 000, Proparco is committed to supporting the development of solar power plants in Sierra Leone. This investment is part of Proparco's efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions in the region.

The project is expected to have a positive impact on the local community, providing them with reliable and clean energy.

The Hayssam El Jammal Group has launched a new industrial project in Cameroon, the ProAlu complex.

This project is a large-scale endeavor, marking a significant investment in the steel industry in Central Africa.

The Hayssam El Jammal Group is a leading player in the steel industry in Central Africa.

This project is supported by Proparco, a financial services provider that has invested in the ProAlu complex.

Consider reading: La Française Group

Proparco provides technical assistance to support financial inclusion projects, as seen in their partnership with the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation in Uganda.

This technical assistance is supported by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Proparco also invests in venture capital funds, such as Accion's latest fund dedicated to supporting start-ups promoting financial inclusion in countries like those in Asia and Latin America.

Complaints can be made by anyone who believes they're negatively affected by a project financed or managed by Proparco. This includes individuals, groups, communities, or other parties.

To qualify for assessment, a complaint must meet certain eligibility criteria. These include relating to a project financed or managed by Proparco, containing allegations with material adverse impacts or risks, and having a relationship between the project and the alleged impacts.

Complaints that don't meet these criteria are generally inadmissible. This includes complaints that don't meet the eligibility criteria, concern criminal offenses or breaches of the French Law, or are excessive, repetitive, or clearly frivolous in nature.

Here are the specific reasons why a complaint may be deemed inadmissible:

To have your complaint assessed, it must meet certain eligibility criteria.

Complaints must relate to a project financed or managed by Proparco.

There must be a relationship between the project and the alleged impacts.

The complainant must believe they are, or may be, affected by the issues raised.

The complaint must contain allegations with material adverse impacts or risks.

Complaints that do not meet these criteria will not be assessed.

The following types of complaints are inadmissible:

The Mechanism is not applicable to all projects dealt by Proparco until the necessary contractual arrangements are in place.

In February 2019, Proparco started introducing these arrangements to include the Mechanism's procedures in its financing and investment agreements with clients.

If a Complaint relates to a case without the necessary contractual arrangements, implementing the Mechanism's procedures will require cooperation from all relevant parties.

This includes sharing non-public information with the persons involved in the Mechanism.

The process of handling the Complaint may take longer to establish and maintain the necessary cooperation, and the possibilities to process the Complaint according to the Mechanism's procedures may be restricted.

In such cases, the Complainants will be kept informed on a regular basis about the approach and process that will be followed.

Proparco has been working with the private sector for over 45 years to create a more just and sustainable world.

With an international network of 25 local offices, Proparco can effectively work closely with its partners across different regions.

Proparco's expertise is sector-based, and it offers a wide range of financial solutions tailored to different stages of business development.

Its Digital Africa subsidiary and Propulse technical assistance offering are designed to scale up the impacts and performance of its partners.

Proparco's new strategy, "Acting together for greater impact”, enables, strengthens, and amplifies its partnerships with its partners.