Strengthening financial inclusion in the DRC through EDFI MC-supported BIO investment

EDFI MC enables BIO’s investment in SMICO to strengthen financial access for over 82,000 clients in the DRC

Brussels, 21 May, 2026 — EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) supports a USD 5 million investment by BIO (Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries) in SMICO, a microfinance institution active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The investment is backed by 50% cover by the EDFI MSME Platform guarantee facility, which is funded by the European Union, enabling BIO to expand financing in a high-risk, high-impact market.

Through the guarantee, EDFI MC facilitates risk-sharing that allows European development finance institutions to scale investments in challenging environments, including fragile and conflict-affected settings such as eastern DRC. This transaction contributes to advancing financial inclusion by strengthening access to finance for micro and small enterprises. The agreement was signed during a ceremony hosted at BIO’s Brussels headquarters, in the presence of representatives from BIO, SMICO and EDFI Management Company.

“Guarantees play a critical role in enabling investments in markets where risks would otherwise constrain financing,” said Rodrigo Madrazo Garcia de Lomana, CEO of EDFI Management Company. “By working with partners such as BIO, we help channel capital to local financial institutions like SMICO, which are essential for supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening local economies.”

SMICO currently serves more than 82,000 clients across eight provinces through a network of ten branches. The investment will support the expansion of its loan portfolio, extend its geographic reach beyond the Kivu regions, and reinforce its operational capacity — directly supporting entrepreneurship, job creation, and income-generating activities.

The operation is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy and falls under the EFSD+ guarantee framework. The broader EDFI MSME Platform guarantee is designed to unlock private sector development by enabling partner institutions, including BIO, to invest in underserved markets with increased confidence.

About EDFI Management Company
EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) is a multilaterally owned impact asset manager that delivers innovative development finance solutions, enabling European development finance institutions, development banks, and private investors to increase the scale and impact of their investments. EDFI MC focuses on business models, technologies, and geographies where additional risk-sharing and structuring are needed to unlock investment.
More information: www.edfimc.eu

About the MSME Platform

The MSME Platform Plus is an EU‑funded guarantee programme under EFSD+ that helps European development finance institutions and their co‑investors expand lending to local financial institutions serving MSMEs in partner countries. By sharing risk on portfolios of loans, the programme aims to address persistent financing constraints for MSMEs and foster inclusive, job‑rich and sustainable private sector development.

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.

About BIO
BIO is the Belgian development finance institution. Since 2001, it has invested in entrepreneurship across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, supporting businesses, financial institutions, and infrastructure projects that drive sustainable development, economic growth, and decent employment.
More information: https://www.bio-invest.be/

About SMICO
SMICO is a microfinance institution active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, providing tailored financial services to micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and underserved populations, with the aim of fostering financial inclusion and local economic development.
More information: https://www.smico.net/