Social Issue

In the past 40 years, ethnic conflict and civil war between government troops and rebel groups in eastern Congo have generated a very high poverty rate in the country. Currently, more than 80% of Congolese live on less than $1.25 a day and the population with access to basic financial services does not reach 5%. Fortunately, recent economic liberalisation has opened up opportunities that will allow adequate sustainable economic growth.

Our Response

Recently created, I-Finance S.A. is a regulated microfinance bank that aims to provide retail banking solutions to various market segments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I-Finance is a fully licensed credit intermediary offering savings accounts and tailored financial products for the traditional microfinance and small and medium business segments. It currently has over 3,000 customers.

Expected Social Impact

This investment of the Netri Foundation will enable I-Finance to provide 168 microloans to people who live in rural areas mostly so that they can sustain their businesses and the poverty caused by the lack of economic opportunities is reduced.