Globally, 1.4 billion adults lack access to basic financial services, with the majority being women. Financial inclusion aims to create opportunities for this group of unbanked individuals.

One approach is by providing access to loans, and these are often accompanied by training and business support. While the loan provided may be small, it can have a large impact. A loan can enable a borrower to start or expand a business, grow a farm, educate their children, or navigate through crises caused by natural disasters or illness.

In the 1970s, Oikocredit began providing loans to organisations active in financial inclusion. Today the cooperative has more than 300 partner companies in this sector across Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. In this interview, Dave Smit, Director of Impact Investments at Oikocredit provides insights into our collaboration with these partners.

Oikocredit’s community-focused investment portfolio is growing, with new approvals for community-focused loans and increased collaboration with prospects for innovative partnerships. This is a key element in our 2022-2026  strategy involving a holistic approach to help low-income communities in our focus countries build resilience.

Oikocredit has participated in a US$ 5 million Pre-Series A funding round into Peruvian digital financial services company Prestamype to support underserved and underbanked micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the South American country.

Oikocredit led the round alongside the social impact investor Acumen Latam Impact Ventures (ALIVE). Other participants included Salkantay Ventures, Inca Ventures, AVP, and several angel investors.

Taking stock of climate commitment: Institue of Sustainable Finance’s latest study finds that most of Canada’s large public companies are reporting on their greenhouse gas emissions to some extent. Increasingly, firms are also setting targets for reducing emissions. But there is plenty of room for setting more and more ambitious targets, and adopting detailed plans for meeting them. 

The RIA’s annual RI Trends Report is the most comprehensive research survey and analysis of responsible investment assets and trends in Canada.

Join the RIA in Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto for an intimate evening of cocktails, networking and a unique “sneak peek” of the highly anticipated 2023 Canadian RI Trends Report. 

Oikocredit published its Annual Report and financial statements for 2022, reporting on solid financial and social results and other achievements during the year.