The African Guarantee Fund Group (AGF), through its subsidiary AGF West Africa, and the Orabank Group have concluded a portfolio guarantee agreement for a total amount of 60 billion FCFA (100 million USD), aimed at increasing the financing capacity of the Orabank Group in favor of SMEs through its subsidiaries in West Africa.
The partnership agreement was signed by Jules NGANKAM, AGF Group Chief Executive and Ferdinand NGON KEMOUM, Chief Executive Officer of Oragroup, in the presence of the entire Top Management from both institutions.
The strengthening of the partnership between the two institutions will allow Orabank Group to play a major role in the development of the economies where it operates, by providing a solution to the thorny issue of access to financing for SMEs.
This partnership is supported by the AfDB's Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), and will therefore increase financing for women entrepreneurs in the region. The guarantee will also cover SMEs eligible for green financing.
"African Guarantee Fund Group is committed to working with its financial partners to promote economic development, increase job creation and reduce poverty in Africa by providing guarantee solutions and capacity building support specifically to support SMEs. The Orabank Group is a leading player in the financing of African economies due to its geographical presence, focus on SMEs and financial strength. Our partnership with the Orabank Group will therefore allow us to play our major role in promoting the financing of African SMEs," said Jules NGANKAM.
On his part, Ferdinand NGON KEMOUM, Oragroup Managing Director, welcomed this new partnership with the African Guarantee Fund Group, as a strong symbol of the African SMEs' development. The fund, which is a powerful illustration of the possible synergies between pan-African groups that share a sustainable and responsible development approach. “This portfolio guarantee will strengthen Orabank's ability to finance SMEs with innovative solutions adapted to their risk management and development cycle. Moreover, this portfolio guarantee is fully in line with our strategic plan to effectively support SMEs in all aspects of their ecosystem, in line with our pan-African vision to participate in the economic and social development of the private sector in the twelve countries where we have operations.”
This agreement comes on the heels of three previous agreements signed between the two financial institutions since 2015 including a portfolio guarantee and two fundraising guarantees that have enabled the Orabank Group to finance thousands of SMEs in its countries of operation, achieve strong financial performance, and contribute sustainably to the growth of the economies where the Group operates.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Oragroup.
Media Enquiries:
Oragroup - Director of Communications
Ndèye Bineta Delphine Ndiaye
+228 92 52 08 04 / +228 99 86 41 44
delphine.ndiaye@orabank.net
AGF - Group Communications Officer
Diana Aluga
+254 732 148 000
communications@agf.africa
African Guarantee Fund (AGF) is a specialised guarantee provider with a mandate of facilitating access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to enable them fully play their role of driving Africa’s economic growth. To achieve this, AGF provides partial credit guarantees and capacity development assistance to its Partner Financial Institutions. AGF has so far issued guarantees amounting to approximately USD 1.8 billion which have unlocked more than USD 3 billion of SME financing, through its 200 Partner Financial Institutions across 40 African countries.
As a 2X Challenge qualified institution, AGF is committed to supporting women entrepreneurship through the AFAWA Guarantee for Growth program, which aims to unlock up to USD 5 billion in financing for women-owned or led businesses by 2026. AGF also fosters sustainable growth through its Green Guarantee Facility, to increase access to finance for SMEs investing in climate and green growth-oriented economy.
African Guarantee Fund was established in 2011 by the Government of Denmark (represented by DANIDA), the Government of Spain (represented by AECID) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Other shareholders include French Development Agency (AFD), Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), KfW Development Bank (KfW), Proparco and West African Development Bank. AGF is also sponsored by Global Affaires Canada and USAID’s West Africa Trade & Investment Hub.
AGF is also supported by Global Affaires Canada and USAID's West Africa Trade & Investment Hub. AGF is rated AA- by Fitch Ratings.
For more information, please visit www.AGF.Africa
About the Orabank Group:
The Orabank Group is present in 12 countries in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo) and in four monetary zones (WAEMU, CEMAC, Guinea Conakry and Mauritania).
With 188 bank branches and sales outlets, a management and intermediation company (SGI) and 2,349 employees, the Orabank Group offers more than 770,000 customers (large national and international companies, SMEs and individuals) a wide range of banking and financial products and services based on the principles of proximity and responsiveness.
By aiming at financial inclusion through the deployment of innovative solutions, the Orabank Group also focuses on low-income segments of the population. This commitment is reflected in its CSR policy, which is an integral part of its strategy and a priority for its management bodies, focusing on energy transition, environmental and social risk management, and the well-being of the public and its employees.
For more information, visit https://www.Orabank.net/fr, https://reporting.Orabank.net, LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3WdH69Q), Twitter (https://bit.ly/3PFCWoG), Facebook (https://bit.ly/3vaDyZS), Instagram (https://bit.ly/3G7YuHy), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/3PGd63M). Also explore KEAZ (https://bit.ly/3YAzbFd), the Orabank Group's digital platform.
