The Foundation invests in Moldova for the first time

© Didier Gentilhomme

For the first time, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation has invested in Moldova, with the microfinance institution Smart Credit, providing a local currency loan equivalent to €496,000 over a three-year period. Smart Credit is an MFI founded in 2010 by five local professionals, whose mission is to position itself as the best provider of microfinance services in the region, particularly for socially disadvantaged small entrepreneurs.

The institution offers loans according to the individual methodology and currently has nearly 3,000 active clients, including 54% women and 71% clients in rural areas.

With this investment, the Foundation strengthens its presence in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, where it already has 17 partners spread across eight countries. This region thus represents 21% of the Foundation's portfolio.

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Created in 2008, under the joint leadership of Crédit Agricole SA's management and Professor Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of Grameen Bank, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is a multi-sector operator that contributes to the fight against poverty through financial inclusion and social impact entrepreneurship. As an investor, lender, technical assistance coordinator, and fund advisor, the Foundation supports microfinance institutions and social enterprises in nearly 40 countries.