Proparco Secures EUR 6 Million Guarantee for EUR 15 Million Loan to Microinvest under MSME Platform Plus
EDFI Management Company backs second Proparco loan to Moldova’s leading microfinance institution to strengthen rural and agricultural MSME financing
BRUSSELS, Belgium — 13 November 2025 — EDFI Management Company has approved a guarantee cover under the MSME Platform Plus for a EUR 15 million senior term loan from Proparco to MICROINVEST S.R.L. (Microinvest), Moldova’s leading microfinance institution. The transaction marks the third loan from Proparco to Microinvest and reaffirms both institutions’ commitment to expanding access to finance for underserved micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in rural and agricultural sectors.
The five-year loan will enable Microinvest to further develop its portfolio and reach more clients excluded from traditional financial services. The EUR 6 million guarantee provided by EDFI Management Company through the MSME Platform Plus will help de-risk the transaction and catalyse private sector investment in Moldova’s microfinance market.
Fadila Hamdane, Head of Partnerships at EDFI Management Company, commented “This second guarantee-backed loan to Microinvest reflects our continued support for inclusive finance in Moldova. By leveraging the MSME Platform Plus with Proparco, we aim to strengthen the resilience of rural and agricultural entrepreneurs and help Microinvest scale its impact in underserved communities.”
Founded in 2003 by Soros Foundations Moldova, Microinvest has grown into the country’s market leader in microfinance, operating through 17 branches and a field staff of 110. The institution focuses on MSMEs and agriculture, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to responsible finance, earning Gold certification in the Client Protection Pathway in 2023, following previous Smart Campaign certifications in 2015 and 2018.
Steven Gardon, Proparco’s Regional Director for Eurasia added: “This new agreement underscores the strong and long-standing relationship of trust we have built with Microinvest. Together, and with the support of the European Union through the EFSD+, we are contributing to Moldova’s economic transformation by empowering small businesses and local entrepreneurs. Through this financing, we are proud to promote inclusive growth, advance sustainable agriculture, and expand opportunities for women and young people across the country.”
This transaction builds on a previous investment covered by the EFSD+ EDFI MSME Platform, further reinforcing the role of blended finance in supporting sustainable development and financial inclusion in Eastern Europe.
About EDFI Management Company
EDFI Management Company is a specialised asset management firm established by the European Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to manage joint development finance initiatives. The company designs and implements innovative financing solutions to foster private sector development in emerging and frontier markets. EDFI MC manages several EU-funded facilities, including the MSME Platform, ElectriFI, AgriFI, and others focused on climate finance and value chain transformation. For more information, visit https://www.edfimc.eu.
About MSME Platform Plus
MSME Platform Plus is a guarantee programme managed by EDFI Management Company under the EFSD+ framework. It is designed to support financial institutions and impact investors in expanding lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa and the EU Neighbourhood. The programme aims to reduce risk and mobilise private capital to promote inclusive and sustainable economic development. Read more: https://edfimc.eu/what-we-do/edfi-msme-platform/
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.
