EDFI MSME Platform Guarantee Enables CRDB Bank Burundi to Expand Lending to Underserved MSMEs
EDFI Management Company supports Finnfund and OeEB’s investment to strengthen financial inclusion in Burundi
BRUSSELS, Belgium, 16 December 2025 – EDFI Management Company has provided a guarantee under the EDFI MSME Platform to support the investment by Finnfund and OeEB, the Development Bank of Austria, in CRDB Bank Burundi. The transaction will enable the bank to scale up lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women and operating in underserved regions.
The EDFI MSME Platform guarantee backs a USD 10 million investment from Finnfund and USD 15 million from OeEB into CRDB Bank Burundi, a subsidiary of CRDB Bank Plc, one of East Africa’s leading financial institutions. The guarantee is designed to reduce credit risk and unlock financing for MSMEs that typically lack access to formal banking services.
Fadila Hamdane, Director of partnerships at EDFI Management Company, said “Guarantees under the EDFI MSME Platform are designed to mobilise private capital in markets where access to finance remains constrained. This partnership with Finnfund and OeEB demonstrates how blended finance can support local financial institutions to serve high-impact segments such as MSMEs and women-led businesses.”
CRDB Bank Burundi will use the support to expand its portfolio of MSME loans, with a focus on businesses that contribute to job creation and economic resilience. The transaction is expected to improve financial inclusion in Burundi, where MSMEs represent a significant share of the economy but face persistent financing gaps.
“CRDB Bank Burundi plays a vital role in expanding access to finance for entrepreneurs and small businesses in a challenging market,” said Ulla-Maija Rantapuska, Senior Investment Manager. “By partnering with EDFI Management Company and OeEB, we are helping to strengthen the bank’s capacity to serve MSMEs and contribute to inclusive economic development in Burundi.”
“Supporting financial institutions that serve MSMEs is central to our strategy for promoting sustainable development,” said Sabine Gaber, CEO and Member of the Executive Board at OeEB. “This collaboration with Finnfund and EDFI Management Company enables CRDB Bank Burundi to reach more underserved clients, especially women-led businesses, and foster long-term resilience in the local economy.”
The EDFI MSME Platform is a blended finance facility funded by the European Union and managed by EDFI Management Company. It provides guarantees and technical assistance to financial institutions and impact investors to catalyse financing for MSMEs in developing countries.
About EDFI Management Company
EDFI Management Company is a fund manager established by the European Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to manage joint development finance initiatives. The company delivers innovative financing solutions that enable European DFIs and other partners to collaborate and scale their impact in emerging and frontier markets. EDFI Management Company manages a range of blended finance facilities, including ElectriFI, AgriFI, the EDFI MSME Platform, and the European Financing Partners. For more information, visit https://www.edfimc.eu.
About EDFI MSME Platform
The EDFI MSME Platform is a blended finance facility funded by the European Union and managed by EDFI Management Company. It aims to increase access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries. The platform provides guarantees and technical assistance to financial institutions and impact investors, helping them expand their outreach to underserved segments such as women-led businesses and enterprises in fragile markets. For more information, visit https://www.edfimc.eu/what-we-do/edfi-msme-platform/.
About Finnfund
Finnfund is a Finnish development financier and impact investor. Finnfund builds a sustainable future and generates lasting impact by investing in businesses that solve global development challenges with Finnish added value. Each year, we invest 200–250 million euros in 20–30 companies in developing countries. Our focus is particularly on digital infrastructure and solutions, clean energy, forestry, agriculture, and on providing funding for small and medium-sized enterprises through financial institutions. Today, Finnfund’s investments, commitments, and investment decisions total about 1.3 billion euros. The company has about 100 employees based in Helsinki and Nairobi. For more information, please visit https://www.finnfund.fi/en.
About OeEB
Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG (OeEB) has been operating as the Development Bank of Austria since March 2008. It specialises in the provision of long-term finance for the implementation of private sector projects in developing countries which create sustainable development. Additionally, OeEB provides technical assistance, which can be used to enhance the developmental impact of projects. For more information, please visit https://www.oe-eb.at/.
About EFSD+
The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) is the financing arm of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. It provides guarantees and blended finance instruments to support investments that contribute to sustainable development, particularly in fragile and emerging markets.
About Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the European Union’s strategy to boost smart, clean, and secure connections in digital, energy, and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education, and research systems across the world. It aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in investments between 2021 and 2027 to support sustainable and trusted partnerships globally.
