Social Issue

Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world. As for Burkina Faso’s human development index (HDI), which is the index used by the United Nations to measure a country’s progress in three basic aspects of human development: health, knowledge and standard of living, it was 0.449 points in 2021, leaving it 184th in the table of 191 countries published. 

Burkina Faso has experienced a significant increase in insecurity since 2015, with attacks by both Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, leading to a wave of internally displaced people and refugees to other countries in the region. It is estimated that more than 40% of the country (north) is controlled by these groups and is outside government control.

Promoting domestic business opportunity is a key driver to reduce poverty in the country where financial access remains very limited.

Our Response

This loan has been granted to ACEP BF to enable it to provide financial services to micro and small enterprises that are unable to receive financing from banks due to their informal nature. Our loan has the intention to boost financial inclusion, a critical factor in reducing poverty and achieving inclusive economic growth.

The majority of its clients use the loans to sustain their business activities while almost 30% use the loans to buy livestock and agricultural supplies.

Expected Social Impact

With this investment by Netri Foundation, it is estimated that ACEP BF will be able to provide more than 540 microloans to its clients with the aim of improving their business opportunities and their capacity to generate employment. A study (60_dcb) revealed that the microenterprises financed by ACEP have an average of 5 employees.