Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries

The Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO) is an economic development agency located in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 2001. Its primary goal is to foster a robust private sector in developing and emerging countries, facilitating access to sustainable growth and development. BIO directly invests in private sector projects, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the host countries. The agency's mandate emphasizes specific geographical targets, diverse financing tools, and a strong focus on the impact of its investments on development, aligning with international development goals. The management of BIO's assets is overseen by its executive management team, ensuring that its initiatives effectively support sustainable economic progress in the regions it serves.

Carole Maman

Chief Investment Officer

Past deals in Credits and Lending

Compagnie Africaine de Crédit

Non Equity Assistance in 2022
Compagnie Africaine de Crédit is a pan-African microfinance group focusing on income-generating loans and guarantees to unbanked MSMEs.

KCB Group

Non Equity Assistance in 2022
Kenya Commercial Bank Limited is registered as a non-operating holding company which started operations as a licensed banking institution.

Fidelity Bank Ghana

Non Equity Assistance in 2022
Fidelity Bank Limited provides banking products and services. The company offers current and savings accounts.

Optimal Financial Services

Debt Financing in 2021
Optimal Financial Services, in addition to providing a line of credit for personal consumption, facilitates the growth of companies by offering multiple credit lines, factoring services, and working capital.

Cofina Mali

Debt Financing in 2021
Cofina Mali is a microfinance group that focuses on supporting the growth of informal micro-enterprises in the region. As part of the broader Groupe COFINA, which was established in 2013, it operates in six French-speaking African countries, including Mali. The institution is dedicated to mesofinance and aims to enhance financial inclusion while promoting the formalization of the African business market. By investing in the dynamic private sector, Cofina Mali plays a crucial role in providing financial services that cater to the needs of small businesses, thereby contributing to the economic development of the area.

EFC Uganda

Venture Round in 2021
Entrepreneurs Financial Centre (EFC) Uganda is a microfinance institution established in June 2012, focusing on providing specialized loans to support the growth of local wealth. The organization offers microloans at competitive interest rates to micro and small-size entrepreneurs (MSEs), facilitating increased economic activity. In addition to loans, EFC Uganda provides various savings account options, including regular, premium, and term deposit accounts, enabling clients to create value and enhance their financial stability. Through its services, EFC Uganda aims to empower entrepreneurs and contribute to the overall economic development of the region.

PT Mitra Bisnis Keluarga Ventura

Debt Financing in 2021
PT Mitra Bisnis Keluarga Ventura is a microfinance institution that provides working capital to low-income women to provide them with formal and cost-effective financial services (financial inclusion), reduce their vulnerability, and improve their lives. The institution's objective is to contribute to the government’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in fighting poverty and empowering women.

FINCA Malawi

Debt Financing in 2019
FINCA Malawi is a licensed deposit-taking financial institution offering individual loans, savings, and insurance products designed for the local market.

Cofina Sénégal

Debt Financing in 2019
Cofina Sénégal is a microfinance group focusing its activities on income-generating loans and guarantees to unbanked MSMEs. In 2016, it started to deploy retail activities providing current accounts, savings accounts, notes, bank cards, online transfer services, and insurance products to its clients who were usually excluded from formal financial services.

Access Bank

Post in 2019
Access Bank provides banking products and services to individual and business customers in Ghana. It offers standard savings and current, access advantage, solo, and premier accounts. The company also provides online banking services that include ATM, online access, and point-of-sale terminal services; and bills payment and Western Union money transfer services.

Arrend

Debt Financing in 2018
Arrend is a company that specializes in providing a range of leasing services to both businesses and individuals. Its offerings include financial and operational leasing, real estate leasing, fleet management, and automobile leasing. Additionally, Arrend provides services in factoring, investments, and insurance advisory. By focusing on enhancing the use of leasing at the regional level, the company aims to help clients improve their financial standing and profitability. Arrend is also developing a strong presence in the market for operating leasing of vehicles and heavy machinery, further solidifying its position within the industry.

Acep Burkina

Debt Financing in 2016
ACEP Burkina is a MFI specialized in the financing of micro companies and very small enterprises existing in towns and close suburbs. Granted credits are mainly used to finance required working capital and investments. I&P and ACEP International which are old partners have decided to partner in 2008 to try to start a microfinance institution like ACEP in the country. In spite of a preexisting important mutual fund present in town zone, small entrepreneurs remain hardly linked to microfinance. Besides, it does not exist for the moment in Burkina Faso, a microfinance institution specialized in individual credit with an effective and appropriate technique of credit risk analysis towards very small companies. Financings trough subventions have been secured from the French Agency of Development then an agreement has been obtained from the ministry of finances in June 2012. The microfinance institution has started its activities in October 2012.

Acceso Crediticio

Debt Financing in 2016
Acceso Crediticio S.A, established in 1999 and headquartered in Lima, Peru, is a financial institution that specializes in providing vehicle loans, particularly to entrepreneurs in the transportation sector. The company focuses on informal taxi drivers operating in low-income urban areas, addressing the needs of an underserved market that traditional financial institutions often overlook. By offering accessible credit solutions, Acceso Crediticio supports the acquisition of vehicles, including motorcycles, taxis, and utility vehicles, while promoting the use of clean energy vehicles to help reduce CO2 emissions. In addition to vehicle financing, the company provides various services such as debt purchase and recurring loans, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for its clients. As a subsidiary of Acceso Corp. S.A, Acceso Crediticio plays a crucial role in improving financial inclusion in Peru.
Commercial Leasing & Finance PLC, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, offers a range of financial products and services tailored to various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. Established in 1988, the company provides fixed deposits and savings accounts, alongside a variety of loan options such as revolving, property mortgage, education, and gold loans. Additionally, it specializes in leasing, factoring, Islamic financing, and micro-financing services. The organization focuses on customer satisfaction and aims to build strong relationships with stakeholders, including strategic partners and employees. As a subsidiary of LOLC Holdings PLC, Commercial Leasing & Finance PLC is committed to delivering financial solutions that cater to the diverse needs of its clientele.

Alios Finance Group

Debt Financing in 2015
Alios Finance Group is a prominent financial services provider based in South Africa, specializing in personal and investment financing solutions. The company offers a range of services, including leasing, investment credit, long-term rental, consumer credit, personal loans, hire purchase, and equipment credit. Operating in nine Sub-Saharan countries—Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia—Alios Finance Group also has a presence in North Africa through its main shareholder, Tunisie Leasing Group. The firm focuses on delivering specialized financial solutions tailored to the needs of professionals and individuals across the African continent.

Fusion Microfinance

Series C in 2015
Fusion Microfinance Private Limited is a non-banking financial company based in New Delhi, specializing in providing micro-credit services to women entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban regions of India. Established in 1994, the company began its Greenfield operations in January 2010 and expanded its reach by acquiring the microfinance division of Aajeevika, which had a loan book of Rs 6.3 million and 1,280 members at the time of acquisition. Fusion Microfinance focuses on facilitating the establishment and growth of small businesses by offering micro-loans and life insurance products. As of March 31, 2019, the company operated through a network of 504 branches across less penetrated areas in North Central India, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.