The new company offers reference products to impact investors and fund managers, centered around research, impact and investment solutions.

Li told Reuters in an interview that in “traditional finance” investing in SMEs was rarely worthwhile for global institutions as the due diligence was difficult, risks were high and funding amounts small.

The loan aims to help the bank increase lending for climate-friendly projects and to smaller businesses, especially those owned by women.

The new Base of the Pyramid Program will provide up to $400 million to microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions, and banks that are focused on micro, small, and medium enterprises.

CGAP Funder Survey documenting global trends in funding for financial inclusion.

This is a continuation of the EIB's action carried out for several years in favor of microfinance in Morocco and is part of the bank's response aimed at supporting  micro-entrepreneurs, in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

This investment will help to finance small and medium enterprises with the objective to create jobs in nine countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, that have joined the G20 Compact with Africa program initiated by the German Government.

The financing package will be used by Nations Trust Bank to help small and medium sized enterprises and corporates to stay afloat during the ongoing public health crisis.

The loan is extended within the Western Balkans SME Competitiveness Support Program with the support by the EU, which is providing incentive payments and technical assistance.

Senior loan equivalent of EUR 2 million to be on-lent to underserved local entrepreneurs to sustain small business operations.