SPTF and CERISE take over Smart Campaign implementation resources
August 05 | 2020 After a decade of successful work in advancing principles for client protection, the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) announced that the Smart Campaign would come to an end. The implementation... full storyHow does Covid-19 impact on our investment operations? [video]
August 04 | 2020 We interviewed Bart van Eyk, Oikocredit’s Director of Investments to find out how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting our investment operations. full storyLaunch of CEO Forum for Oikocredit Partners in Africa
July 28 | 2020 CEOs with a dedication to continuous improvement, a passion for people and an appreciation of the extraordinary challenges of our time, came together online last week to launch Oikocredit’s forum for CEOs in Africa. The launch of this programme comes at a time when it is becoming evident that the situation brought on by Covid-19 is not something that will be resolved in a matter of a few months. full storyTHE WATER MAN – part 2 of 2
July 27 | 2020 Written by Elikanah Ng'ang'a, Social Performance & Capacity Building Officer - Oikocredit AfricaThe Water Man story tells of one man’s determination to bend the Covid-19 curve, and provides lessons for Oikocredit partners, staff and investors. In this second part of his blog, Elikanah shares examples of what our partners are doing to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on their end-clients. full story
Oikocredit invests USD 5 million in M-KOPA to support growth of solar energy in Africa
July 21 | 2020 With this loan, M-KOPA is able to provide electricity and mobile connections to 10,000 households in Africa full storyBlog: Could microfinance help prevent a health crisis from becoming an even greater food crisis?
July 16 | 2020 The United Nations (UN) recently published a report estimating that 130 million more people may face chronic hunger in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. full storySolidarity: the strength of our network
July 01 | 2020 In this interview we catch up with our Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, and our Director of Finance & Risk, Laura Pool, to reflect on the June annual general meeting (AGM). They talk about the decision to not pay a dividend for 2019, how Oikocredit supports its partners during the pandemic, and more. full storyLessening the Covid-19 impact today makes a big difference for the future [Interview]
June 30 | 2020 There has been huge interest from Oikocredit’s members and investors to know more about Oikocredit’s coronavirus solidarity fund. Here we interview Andrea Domínguez, Oikocredit’s Global Capacity Building Specialist, and find out more about the fund and how it might develop. full storyJoint Statement on Racial Justice from Oikocredit Canada and Oikocredit US
June 18 | 2020 Oikocredit Canada and Oikocredit US join our voices together to make it clear that Black Lives Matter. In an effort to be part of the solution, we commit to stand beside those who strive to be heard and seek to create a more just and equal society. full story
THE WATER MAN – part 1 of 2
June 18 | 2020 Written by Elikanah Ng'ang'a, Social Performance & Capacity Building Officer - Oikocredit AfricaThe Water Man story tells of one man’s determination to bend the Covid-19 curve, and provides lessons for Oikocredit partners, staff and investors. In this first part of his blog, Elikanah writes about how the Water Man inspired him and other Oikocredit staff in the Oikocredit office in Kenya. full story
Oikocredit exits its investment in Fairtrade chocolate company Divine Chocolate
June 17 | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has supported Divine since 2006 as it expanded its footprint from the United Kingdom to the USA full storyOikocredit holds annual general meeting, members decide on dividend
June 15 | 2020 Last week the cooperative’s 44th annual general meeting (AGM) was held in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, with members and others participating through a web-based conferencing and electronic voting system. full storyMFIs Covid-19 awareness training
June 09 | 2020 Oikocredit is supporting its partners during the pandemic with several initiatives. Maanaveeya, Oikocredit’s subsidiary in India, worked with MicroSave Consulting who developed a pamphlet to promote awareness of Covid-19 for microfinance institutions (MFI) full storyVideo tour of Oikocredit’s work in Ghana
June 08 | 2020 A short video is now available to provide you with insight on the work of Oikocredit in Ghana. At a time of social distancing and with few people traveling, it is useful to remind ourselves of how useful our investors find these tours. full storyOikocredit and Kindred agree gradual winddown of GIC product offering
June 05 | 2020 After five years of successful partnership, Oikocredit and Kindred Credit Union have agreed to phase out their cooperation agreement, which saw Kindred offer Global Impact Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) for investment in Oikocredit. full story
With Renewable Energy: an Interview with David ten Kroode
May 28 | 2020 In mid-2014 Oikocredit welcomed renewable energy (RE) financing expert, David ten Kroode, to build up and manage what was then a new sector for Oikocredit: financing RE projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We spoke with David, now RE Manager at Oikocredit, about the developments of the past five years and what the future may bring. full storyQuarterly report: Withstanding the crisis
May 25 | 2020 Four times a year Oikocredit publishes key facts and figures on the previous quarter. Here we provide our investors and others with additional background context. full story
Learning from Leaders: a Cup of Coffee with Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe
May 11 | 2020 Challenging situations like the coronavirus require new thinking on many levels. Learning from Leaders, a Cup of Coffee with... is a new series of online encounters launched by Oikocredit International. full storyThe main thing is sustainability [interview]
May 08 | 2020 Aldo Risco Mejia is responsible for agriculture investments in northern South America at our Oikocredit office in Lima. We spoke with him about his practical experience of fair trade. full storyOikocredit revised its dividend proposal for 2019 from 1% to 0%.
May 06 | 2020 Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has revised its dividend proposal for 2019 from 1% to 0%. full story
Oikocredit foundation creates coronavirus solidarity fund
May 05 | 2020 With more government measures in place to combat the spread of Covid-19, many small business in Africa, Asia and Latin America are struggling to find the means to comply with regulations. To support these businesses, Oikocredit’s foundation has launched a coronavirus solidarity fund. full storyChange to Oikocredit’s Managing Board
May 04 | 2020 Laura Pool, Director of Finance & Risk, has decided to leave Oikocredit for personal reasons to pursue a career change. She will continue in her position until the end of the year. full storyStichting Oikocredit International Share Foundation to Postpone Reporting Annual Financial Results Due to COVID-19 Related Delays
May 01 | 2020 Toronto, ON - April 29 2020 - Stichting Oikocredit International Share Foundation (the “Foundation”) announced today that due to delays to operations caused by the Covid-19 virus, it is relying on... full story
Oikocredit and other impact investors agree coronavirus coordination principles
May 01 | 2020 Leading microfinance and impact fund managers have signed an MoU for debt refinancing coordination principles, to support the sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. full storyCoffee, Cocoa, and the Coronavirus [Interview]
April 28 | 2020 We spoke with Hans Perk, Regional Director Africa and Global Agricultural Sector Specialist, about what is working and what is not in the coffee and cocoa supply chains. How can we better make these supply chains work for the poor and vulnerable post Covid-19? full storyImpact investors jointly commit to supporting low-income communities in Covid-19 crisis
April 14 | 2020 Together with other members of the Dutch Platform for Inclusive Finance (NpM) Oikocredit signed the Covid-19 Investor Statement, which has been issued by impact investors in emerging markets. full storySocial impact in the pandemic: how Oikocredit is helping partners fight back [blog]
April 09 | 2020 As the coronavirus crisis continues to spread across the globe, Ging Ledesma, Oikocredit’s Director of Social Performance Innovation, is helping lead Oikocredit’s rapid response to the evolving needs of our partners, going beyond the financial support we offer them. Here Ging shares the steps Oikocredit has already taken to support our partners at this critical moment, and why innovation and community are crucial in these extremely challenging times. full storyNomination for appointment to the Supervisory Board
April 09 | 2020 Joseph Patterson has been nominated as candidate for appointment to the Supervisory Board of Oikocredit International by the Supervisory Board, to be voted on at the General Meeting of members in June. full storyJoin our team!
April 08 | 2020 Oikocredit Canada is seeking to fill upcoming vacancies on our volunteer Board of Directors with persons who are passionate about the vision, mission, and values of Oikocredit. full storyProtecting organisations against coronavirus scams – tips for partners
April 08 | 2020 Criminals are seeking to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic, exploiting the pandemic to trick businesses via fake invoices, phishing emails and phone calls. full storyIt's not just about growth [interview]
April 06 | 2020 Laura Pool, Director of Finance & Risk says: “It's not only about growth in the portfolio, but the quality.” In this interview she provides her insights into the financial results, reflects on Oikocredit’s development as an organisation, and talks about how these results and developments will help Oikocredit face the ongoing coronavirus crisis. full storyIndian Oikocredit subsidiary supports government relief fund for coronavirus
April 06 | 2020 Maanaveeya, Oikocredit’s subsidiary in India, has donated two million Indian Rupees (approximately € 24,000) to the Telangana Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on 31 March 2020 to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19). full storyProtecting yourself against coronavirus scams – tips for investors
April 03 | 2020 Criminals are seeking to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic, exploiting the pandemic to trick people into sharing personal or financial information via phishing emails and phone calls. full storyOikocredit publishes its annual report for 2019
April 02 | 2020 Today we published our annual report which informs investors and other stakeholders about our financial performance from the past year. full storyMessage from the Managing Director: “Working together through uncertain times”
March 26 | 2020 Thos Gieskes, Managing Director of Oikocredit, has the following message for Oikocredit’s stakeholders. full storyOikocredit announces 2019 results and partner satisfaction [press release]
March 19 | 2020 Today Oikocredit announced its annual results for 2019. The results reveal an improved financial performance and steady growth in the cooperative’s development finance portfolio. full storyOikocredit and the novel coronavirus (Covid-19)
March 13 | 2020 As the coronavirus pandemic develops, there is increasing uncertainty about its consequences. We’re seeing lives and livelihoods affected across the world, in both economically rich and poor countries. full story€ 1 million investment in ACE clean cooking
March 12 | 2020 Oikocredit has made a € 1 million loan to African Clean Energy (ACE), a Certified B Corporation and social enterprise, to support the expansion of business operations in Uganda. full storyNo development without risk [interview]
March 10 | 2020 After being a shareholder for five years, Oikocredit recently exited from the Zambian aquaculture company Yalelo. We spoke to Albert Hofsink, non-executive member of Yalelo’s board of directors, and Evert Ludding, Oikocredit’s Equity Manager. full storyOn the trail of cocoa
February 19 | 2020 In west Ghana, Oikocredit’s recent study tour accompanies the cocoa farmer Paul Bukuroh Appiah to a place where chocolate has its origins. Corinna Groß, PR Officer at Oikocredit’s support association Baden-Württemberg in Germany, shares her journey with us. She brings the tour to life and sees first-hand how Oikocredit’s partner Fedco makes life a little better for the people in the small village of Pieso. full storyFair is when all benefit
February 04 | 2020 Once a year, Oikocredit brings together a partner and investors in its annual road show. This time around, it was the turn of Athanas Matheka, co-founder of Greenforest Foods Limited in Kenya. full storyVolunteers and staff meet our partners in Ghana
January 27 | 2020 A group of Oikocredit volunteers and staff have travelled from Europe and North America to Ghana for our 2020 study tour, taking place this week. Participants will visit financial inclusion partner organisations and end-clients, as well as a renewable energy partner. There will also be a visit to one of Oikocredit's cocoa partners. full storyMost read: our six biggest stories in 2019
January 21 | 2020 We look back at the partner stories and announcements that were most popular on our website last year. full storyLooking back on a year’s journey and forward to 2020
January 07 | 2020 Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, looks back on Oikocredit’s journey in 2019 and forward to the new year 2020. full storyMerry Christmas and Happy New Year
December 23 | 2019 The Christmas holidays are drawing closer, and we can look back on an eventful year 2019. We want to thank you for your successful cooperation. Together we were able to push sustainable ... full storyOikocredit exits Zambian fish farm Yalelo
December 10 | 2019 Oikocredit has exited its investment in the Zambian fish farm Yalelo Limited, after investing since 2014 and supporting its production growth from under 2,000 tonnes of tilapia fish in 2014 to 12,000 tonnes today. Yalelo is the largest sustainable aquaculture company in Africa. full storyFraudulent app alert
December 05 | 2019 Oikocredit would like to alert its partners, investors and the general public of the following fraudulent app: OikoCredit Loans full storyTea: good prospects from great heights
December 03 | 2019 Private and public stakeholders in the Rwandan tea sector join forces to empower rural farmers – helped with finance from Oikocredit. That’s just my cup of tea. full storyMusoni: putting low-income clients first in the digital age
November 19 | 2019 The digital revolution is expanding the range and delivery of financial services to those traditionally overlooked by banks, with electronic money models and new digital payment platforms. We look at the work of Oikocredit partner Musoni Kenya Microfinance, a pioneer in the provision of digital financial services, and how its cooperation with Oikocredit in client protection principles helps it to serve low-income clients when digital services are provided. full storySocial performance: "Choosing a partner is just the beginning"
November 08 | 2019 The desire to achieve a positive social impact is the reason why people invest in Oikocredit. How does this goal become reality? We spoke to Oikocredit’s social performance team, Ging Ledesma, Kawien Ziedses des Plantes and Yolirruth Nuñez, about capacity building, trust, monitoring, the cooperative’s DNA and its successes. full story