OPIC, Ford Foundation, and Citi to Bring Financing to Businesses Serving Low-Income Communities in Developing World

October 23, 2019

Support from OPIC key to unlocking $100 million in local currency loans

SAN FRANCISCO – The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Ford Foundation, and Citi Inclusive Finance today introduced Scaling Enterprise, a $100 million loan guarantee facility, which will enable Citi to provide early-stage financing in local currency to companies that expand access to products and services for low-income communities in emerging markets. The announcement was made at the 2019 SOCAP Conference.

Loans and working capital in local currency and at affordable rates can enable early-stage social impact companies to achieve scale, greater efficiencies, and lower costs. Scaling Enterprise will facilitate vital growth financing to eligible companies that are expanding access to finance, agriculture, energy, affordable housing, water, and sanitation to low-income households in emerging markets.

In addition to enabling companies to scale and expand their impact, the partnership will help these ventures gain a wider array of mainstream financing options in the future.

Marking the first two transactions under Scaling Enterprise, the partners have committed $5 million in financing to INI Farms to help smallholder farmers in India access export markets and increase incomes by as much as 20 percent, as well as $5 million in financing to d.light to expand access to off-grid solar energy in Kenya.

“The most innovative ideas are often developed by small, early-stage businesses without access to the capital they need to expand their reach and impact,” said OPIC’s David Bohigian. “OPIC is pleased to partner with Citi Inclusive Finance and the Ford Foundation to help these ventures scale sustainable solutions to challenges facing low-income communities across the world.”

“For many companies that are working to meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations in emerging economies, their reach is limited by a lack of access to affordable finance,” said Bob Annibale, Global Director, Citi Inclusive Finance. “Scaling Enterprise is an example of how multisector partnerships and collaboration with trusted local intermediaries can serve this last mile to reach communities and drive inclusive economic growth.”

“This extraordinary and innovative partnership with Citi and OPIC exemplifies how to utilize our capital markets to combat inequality and exclusion,” said Christine Looney, Deputy Director of Mission Investments at the Ford Foundation. “By aligning our collective resources to strengthen and empower hyper-local institutions, there is a pathway to create a more just and responsible approach with hopefully more equitable outcomes and demonstrates Ford Foundations’ commitment to mission investments.”

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About OPIC

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a self-sustaining U.S. Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. Established in 1971, OPIC provides businesses with the tools to manage the risks associated with foreign direct investment, fosters economic development in emerging market countries, and advances U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. OPIC helps American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyzes new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC fulfills its mission by providing businesses with financing, political risk insurance, advocacy and by partnering with private equity fund managers.

OPIC services are available to new and expanding businesses planning to invest in more than 160 countries worldwide. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers. All OPIC projects must adhere to best international practices and cannot cause job loss in the United States.

About the Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 80 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.