Contributing to the fight against poverty by promoting the financial inclusion of the most disadvantaged people and their access to essential goods

Grameen Crédit Agricole Microcredit Foundation’s mission is to help the disavantaged people by facilitating their access to essential goods and services, foremost of which are financial microservices (credit, savings, insurance, etc).

The Foundation encourages the development of local microfinance institutions and of social businesses in developing countries.

It proposes them suitable financing, in the form of loans, guarantees or equity investment, as well as technical assistance to support them in their development.

More on the Foundation’s action: key figures

Giving priority support to microfinance institutions (MFIs) that work in rural and agricultural areas and with women

Grameen Crédit Agricole Microcredit Foundation operates essentially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

It is not designed to work in France, nor in developed countries generally.

But Crédit Agricole is involved in the fight against exclusion in France. It takes action at the initiative of its regional offices, either in partnership with specialised associations (France Initiative, France Active, ADIE, etc.), or through specific measures, especially the “Passerelle” system.

Undertaking to respect the dignity of the poor

Grameen Crédit Agricole Microcredit Foundation sees to it that the MFIs it finances are managed carefully and remain faithful to the social mission of microfinance.

Prior to any financing decision, it carries out a dual financial and social evaluation of the MFI.

It works along with the MFIs, which observe the best governance and transparency practices as well as respect the principles of informing and protecting their borrowers.

Likewise, it facilitates the projects of companies with a social purpose, that conform to the “Social Business” principles defined by Prof Yunus. These businesses may work in varied fields: nutrition, drinking water, health care, energy, etc., that give the poorest access to essential goods.

More on the Foundation’s approach to microfinance…