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%.

Our Response

The Oxus Group launched its rural project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in July 2013. Currently, more than 17,000 borrowers enjoy a loan from Oxus R. D. Congo through its two branches in Kinshasa and Kikwit. They have ambitious expansion plans to the country’s most rural provinces, with a high population density but without a correct banking network. Oxus R. D. Congo provides mainly two products to its clients: loans for small groups (between five and seven people), and personal loans to meet the needs of the Congolese population with little or no access to the banking network.

Expected Social Impact

With the investment of the Netri Foundation, it is estimated that Oxus will be able to provide 1,960 microloans to people who live mostly in rural areas so that they can sustain their businesses and the poverty caused by the lack of economic opportunities is reduced.