IFC partners Nigeria’s LAPO to expand microfinance in sub-Saharan Africa

04 May 2021
Financial Nigeria

Summary

IFC said supporting financial inclusion is an important part of its strategy in Africa to boost private sector growth and job creation.

Godwin Ehigiamusoe, founder and Chief Executive Officer, LAPO

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the arm of the World Bank Group that lends to private sector businesses, last month, announced a partnership with Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), a Nigerian entity engaged in microfinance, micro leasing, health/medical services, micro insurance, and not-for-profit activities.

According to a statement IFC sent to Financial Nigeria, the partnership will help expand banking services to low-income populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Under the agreement, IFC will conduct market analysis of several African countries, including fragile states, and provide advisory support to LAPO to help it expand its microfinance business beyond Nigeria and Sierra Leone, where it currently operates with more than 495 branches, serving over 800,000 customers.
 
“LAPO’s planned microfinance expansion will help boost financial inclusion and increase lending to individuals and micro and small businesses in the region, stimulating economic activity, the statement said. “The expansion will specifically target women borrowers, low-income earners, and those in rural areas.”

Commenting on the partnership agreement, Godwin Ehigiamusoe, founder and Chief Executive Officer, LAPO, said: “Through IFC’s advisory support, we will expand our capacity to build greater financial inclusion among a rural, low-income client base in sub-Saharan Africa. IFC’s advisory will also help us deepen our efforts to reach more women-owned micro enterprises, which currently represent about 70 percent of clients in our existing microfinance operations.”

IFC said supporting financial inclusion is an important part of its strategy in Africa to boost private sector growth and job creation. Individuals and businesses, in fragile and conflict-affected situations especially, struggle to access loans and other banking services because of underdeveloped domestic financial sectors.


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