Tiny, Landlocked Burkina Faso is rapidly improving the quality of its business environment, thanks to the support of an IFC program designed to help stimulate growth, create employment and reduce poverty. Full Story
An IFC partner in a land reform program is transforming lives in South Africa, helping black farmers and farm workers own a stake in fruit farms on which they work. Full Story
Reflecting IFC’s priority to increase activities in the world’s smallest and poorest countries, Sao Tome and Principe has become the 180th member country of the Corporation. Full Story
A new leasing law supported by IFC is powering Tanzania's leasing industry forward, helping many of the country's smaller businesses add new equipment. Full Story
Supporting the development of a stronger and more inclusive financial sector is an important part of IFC’s work in Africa, helping attract more investments to the region. Full Story
Supporting the development of smaller businesses and making it easier for them to access the financing they need to grow is a central part of IFC’s strategy in Africa. Full Story
Less than two years after launching in Madagascar, IFC's program to increase financial services for the country’s smallest businesses is yielding strong results. Full Story
Kenya turned to IFC when it needed support and guidance with the privatization of Telkom Kenya, a distressed business that required a careful overhaul. Full Story
IFC has worked with Kenya's government and other stakeholders to draft and publish credit reference bureau regulations, which will help banks increase their lending to small businesses in the country. Full Story
IFC has signed a landmark agreement to establish Liberia’s first microfinance bank, an innovation that will help small businesses in the country grow. Full Story
IFC is placing more resources on the ground in Africa and more senior decision makers close to our clients to serve them better. Full Story
IFC is supporting Rwanda's efforts to develop and strengthen its recently-launched securities exchange as the country broadens its financial sector. Full Story
IFC is helping address power problems in Nigeria, where less than half the population have access to electricity Full Story
IFC is working with Madagascar's government, conservation groups, and local businesses to tap the huge ecotourism potential offered by the island's pristine beaches and unique mix of flora and fauna. Full Story
Reaching a more diverse range of countries, including Africa’s poorest and those affected by conflict, is a top priority for IFC in Africa. Full Story
Rwanda is becoming a leader in business regulatory reform in Africa and the IFC is supporting the government’s efforts to develop successful reforms. Full Story
IFC has developed a trade finance program to boost African and other emerging markets' share of global trade. Full Story
IFC's Village Phone Program is bringing access to telephones to rural areas, while promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs. Full Story
Small and medium enterprises constitute the majority of private businesses, and account for the bulk of job creation in most of Sub Saharan Africa. Strengthening smaller enterprises, helping them to expand through better skills and improved management, and assisting them to access markets and raise financing, are key priorities for IFC in Africa. Full Story
As economies in Sub-Saharan Africa gain strength, companies from other developing countries are rapidly increasing their investments in the region. Full Story
IFC is helping Africa meet the Millennium Development Goal of offering primary education to all by 2015 by supporting the growth of private schools. Full Story
IFC and the World Bank have created the Lighting Africa initiative, which aims to bring modern off-grid lighting alternatives to the African market. Full Story
A major priority for IFC in Africa is to provide investment and advisory support to smaller businesses. Full Story
IFC is boosting its investments and broadening its advisory services programs in Madagascar, an island nation that is embracing private sector led growth. Full Story
Rwanda is becoming a leader in business regulatory reform in Africa and the IFC is supporting the government’s efforts to develop successful reforms. Full Story
IFC is contributing to global efforts to stop the spread of deadly diseases like malaria by investing in the life sciences industry and promoting innovation for better health in developing countries. Full Story
IFC is supporting the growth of smaller businesses in Madagascar with a combination of investments and advisory services. Full Story
IFC has launched a new product to support companies in developing countries address the global challenge of climate change. Full Story
IFC is supporting private sector reconstruction efforts in Sierra Leone and in other conflict affected countries. Full Story
IFC is supporting the development of the mortgage market in Ghana and in other African countries, helping people swap rental payments for their own piece of property. Full Story
IFC to boost efforts to meet growing pressure on food supply Full Story
IFC is supporting the introduction of credit bureaus in several African countries. The institutions are invaluable for helping small businesses gain access to finance. Full Story
Worldhotel-link.com, a project that began as an IFC Advisory Services initiative, is expanding into Africa to connect sustainable tourism operators to the global travel market. Full Story
A new IFC report finds that Africa needs substantial private investment to meet growing demand for health care. IFC estimates that over the next decade, $25-$30 billion in new investment will be needed to meet Africa’s health care demand. Full Story
The humble bicycle is boosting the income and bettering the lives of more than 1,000 coffee farmers in Rwanda, thanks in part to the work of IFC's leasing program in the east African country. Full Story
IFC is stepping up its fight against HIV/AIDS with plans to more than double the number of company prevention, education and care programs it supports across sub-Saharan Africa. Full Story
IFC has signed its first local currency transaction in Zambia, an equity investment of $2 million and a $5 million loan denominated in Zambian Kwacha to Madison Financial Services Company. Local currency financing is an important tool that helps IFC better reach clients in countries targeted for more business. Full Story
Smaller businesses comprise the bulk of Mozambique’s economy and supporting them is a central part of IFC’s strategy. IFC integrates investments and advisory services across several programs and initiatives in Mozambique to promote small and medium enterprises. Full Story
IFC is stepping up its fight against HIV/AIDS with plans to more than double the number of company prevention, education and care programs it supports across sub-Saharan Africa – the world’s worst-affected region – from 17 to 39 over the next two years. Full Story
Smaller businesses comprise the bulk of Mozambique’s economy and supporting them is a central part of IFC’s strategy. Full Story
Drawing on the World Bank and IFC Doing Business 2008 report, the first Reformers’ Club Awards in Sub-Saharan Africa recognizes economies making it easier for the private sector to invest, do business, and create opportunities for companies to expand. Full Story
The generous backing of donors and other partners is vital to helping IFC unlock the potential of private sector growth across Africa. IFC’s advisory work in Africa would be impossible without their backing. Full Story
Prospects for sustained African development have rarely looked as good. Increasingly, growth led by entrepreneurs and private investments figures heavily into plans to sustain development. Full Story
Strengthening the banking sector and helping it reach businesses and individuals previously unable to access banking services are two of the main goals of IFC’s work in financial markets across Sub-Saharan Africa. Full Story
Although women own 48 percent of small and medium enterprises in Africa, they face greater constraints than men when expanding their businesses. Full Story
IFC puts a high priority on the development of small enterprises in Africa through supporting a number of financing and advisory services initiatives. Full Story
Africa's poorest seek out private health services more often than public health services. The private sector must therefore play a central role in resolving the region's health care crisis. Full Story
Using its financial products and advisory services, IFC is promoting the leasing industry across Africa. Full Story
Consistent and strong financial sector reforms in Nigeria have created a unique opportunity for IFC to strengthen institutions that can promote the private sector. Full Story
