Proparco and Equity Group Holdings share a long-standing and strategic partnership built on a common commitment to fostering a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable private sector across the African continent.
This collaboration has reached a new milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Letter of Interest (LoI) that will significantly scale support for SMEs, climate finance, and key economic sectors.
Strategic Priority Areas
The MoU identifies five key areas of collaboration:
- Financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-SMEs
- Climate finance
- Agriculture and value chain development
- Trade finance and regional trade facilitation
- Financial sector development and social impact initiatives
This renewed framework strengthens joint efforts to mobilise capital, share expertise, and deliver measurable developmental impact.
First Concrete Transaction: EquityBCDC Facility
The Letter of Interest signed marks the first practical step under the new MoU. Proparco, alongside other development finance institutions, is arranging a USD 70 million syndicated facility for EquityBCDC, Equity Group’s subsidiary and a leading bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Proparco itself is participating with USD 25 million.
The facility is fully dedicated to SME financing, with 30% allocated to women-led businesses, making it eligible for the 2X Challenge.
The funding will enhance access to finance for underserved businesses and contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goal 8: “Decent Work and Economic Growth.”
Leadership Perspectives
Proparco is pleased to strengthen its partnership with Equity Group, a leading financial player in Africa, and its subsidiary EquityBCDC. This new step in our collaboration, as well as the loan arranged by Proparco alongside our peers, demonstrates our continued commitment to fostering a dynamic private sector that generates positive impact
Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco
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This partnership with Proparco is about unlocking African enterprise at scale. Through this, we are accelerating financing to SMEs and strengthening support for climate and green finance, agriculture, trade finance, and broader financial sector development across Africa. By combining Proparco’s development finance expertise with Equity Group’s regional footprint and market access capabilities, we are enabling more entrepreneurs and businesses to invest, trade, create jobs and build resilient communities. Together, we are advancing inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across the continent
Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings
Broader Impact
This deepened partnership combines Proparco’s development finance expertise with Equity Group’s extensive regional network and SME banking capabilities.
It is expected to unlock substantial financing for SMEs, promote climate-resilient agriculture, facilitate regional trade, and drive inclusive economic growth, particularly in frontier and high-potential markets.
Future Outlook
The strengthened collaboration between Proparco and Equity Group Holdings, marked by the signing of an MoU and the launch of a USD 70 million facility for EquityBCDC, represents a powerful platform for expanding SME finance and climate action across Africa.
By focusing on five strategic priority areas and delivering tangible support to women-led businesses and underserved enterprises, the partnership is well-positioned to create lasting economic and social impact.
As of April 2026, this alliance continues to set a strong example of how development finance institutions and leading African banks can work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable private sector on the continent.
Equity Bank Overview
Proparco investments: Proparco invests in African banks, fintechs, infrastructure, energy, healthcare and SME financing projects through debt, equity and guarantees.
Equity Bank CEO: Equity Group Holdings is led by CEO and Managing Director James Mwangi.
Equity Bank DRC login / online banking: Equity Bank DRC customers access internet banking through the Equity BCDC online banking portal using registered account credentials.
Equity Bank DRC branches: EquityBCDC operates branches across major cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma, Bukavu and Kisangani.
Equity Bank DRC app: The Equity mobile banking app for DRC customers supports transfers, bill payments, balance checks and digital banking services.
Equity Bank DRC customer care number / contact: Customer support is available through official branch contacts, call centres and digital support channels published by EquityBCDC.
Equity BCDC online application: Customers can apply for selected banking services, accounts and digital banking access through EquityBCDC’s online onboarding and application channels.
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