AFD Group is deploying additional financing mechanisms to meet the financing requests of SMEs weakened by the crisis:

• Guarantees to local partner banks (up to 80% of the risk borne by the banks) to encourage them to lend to MSMEs
• Loans to financial institutions to help them meet business needs
• Direct PROPARCO loans to companies

AFD Group will also be strengthening the capital base of companies via funds that support African SMEs.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) play a crucial role in cushioning the economic and social impact of the crisis on entrepreneurs and the most vulnerable populations. AFD Group is supporting MFIs so that they can continue to lend to their clients via:

• Loans to MFIs or banks operating in the microenterprise segment
• Guarantees to MFIs to cover micro-loans to entrepreneurs, which are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis
• Guarantees to local banks that finance MFIs to meet their liquidity requirements

In addition, equity investments may be considered to strengthen the financial inclusion sector, which has been weakened by the crisis.

PROPARCO will continue to deploy Technical Assistance (TA) programs for the beneficiary companies and partner institutions of Choose Africa Resilience. They will target their specific needs related to the management of the impacts of this crisis:

• Specific assistance is offered in managing the crisis and adapting business models to this new economic environment. For example, special assistance can be given to financial institutions that want to increase the digitalization of their services, which will give more people access to them.
• TA to support performance can address the need to strengthen the client’s organization or financial and administrative processes, its human resources department, or its market positioning. This technical assistance will in particular be given to players in financial inclusion or SMEs supported by our financial intermediaries.
• Finally, PROPARCO will continue to encourage clients to adopt or strengthen sustainable and inclusive practices, in line with its usual standards for environmental risk management and the promotion of climate co-benefits and gender equality.