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IFC-backed $100m initiative to boost women-owned businesses in developing world

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on March 2, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: March 2, 2026

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Tags:Finance Banking emerging markets women entrepreneurs

Quick Summary

Fasanara Capital and the IFC are launching a $100 million lending initiative targeting women‑owned small businesses in developing economies. The program leverages fintech platforms to identify borrowers and aims to narrow the $5.7 trillion global SME financing gap, with women-owned firms disproporti

IFC and Fasanara Capital Launch $100M in Loans for Women-Owned Small Businesses

Initiative to Support Women-Owned Small Businesses in Developing Countries

LONDON, March 2 (Reuters) - Global investment platform Fasanara Capital and the International Finance Corporation are launching an initiative to lend to women-owned small businesses in the developing world with some $100 million in firepower.

The launch comes as developing world borrowers seek new sources of cash amid a broad Western aid pullback - and as private lenders seek the higher margins emerging markets offer.

Key Features of the Lending Project

Loan Distribution and Target Recipients

The project will offer loans that would average $50,000 dollars to thousands to women-owned businesses identified using fintech platforms, Fasanara Chief Executive Francesco Filia told Reuters.
Potential for Additional Investment

Filia said the effort is likely to garner additional private investment, including potential institutional capital. He declined to comment on its size, but a source said it was likely to launch with roughly $100 million.
Addressing Funding Gaps for Small Businesses

"There has been more of a need, more of a pressure to build up alternative resources of access to capital," Filia said, adding that small businesses "are in desperate need of funding because banks...focus on mainstream clients, large corporate clients."

Global Context and Impact

The Financing Gap for Women-Owned Firms

In a news release, Fasanara and the IFC said that globally, small businesses face a $5.7 trillion financing gap, with women-owned firms hit the hardest.
Supporting Job Creation in Emerging Markets

IFC's Perspective

Mohamed Gouled, IFC vice president for products and clients, said expanding access to financing for small businesses was "one of the most effective ways to support job creation in emerging markets."
Role of Fintech Platforms

Fasanara relies on more than 100 different fintech platforms in dozens of countries to identify and filter potential borrowers

Reporting and Editorial

Article Contributors

(Reporting by Libby George; Editing by Amanda Cooper)

Key Takeaways

•The initiative provides average loans of about $50,000 to thousands of women‑owned small businesses, identified via fintech platforms, mobilizing roughly $100 million in initial capital (Reuters, March 2, 2026).
•The global SME financing gap is estimated at US$5.7 trillion across emerging markets, with women‑owned MSMEs facing around US$1.9 trillion of that shortfall (IFC‑World Bank MSME Finance Gap Report, March 2025).
•Expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs is seen by IFC as pivotal for job creation and inclusive growth in emerging markets, offering attractive institutional investment opportunities as private capital shifts due to an aid pullback.

Frequently Asked Questions about IFC-backed $100m initiative to boost women-owned businesses in developing world

1What is the main objective of the IFC-backed initiative?

The initiative aims to provide approximately $100 million in loans to women-owned small businesses in developing countries.

2Who are the main organizations behind the initiative?

The project is a collaboration between Fasanara Capital and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

3How much will the average loan be for women-owned businesses?

The average loan amount for women-owned businesses will be around $50,000.

4Why is this funding important for women-owned businesses?

Women-owned firms face the largest financing gap globally, making access to capital crucial for their growth and job creation in emerging markets.

5How are potential borrowers identified for the initiative?

Fasanara Capital uses over 100 different fintech platforms in dozens of countries to identify and filter potential women-owned business borrowers.

Quick Summary

Initiative to Support Women-Owned Small Businesses in Developing Countries

The launch comes as developing world borrowers seek new sources of cash amid a broad Western aid pullback - and as private lenders seek the higher margins emerging markets offer.

Key Features of the Lending Project

Loan Distribution and Target Recipients

The project will offer loans that would average $50,000 dollars to thousands to women-owned businesses identified using fintech platforms, Fasanara Chief Executive Francesco Filia told Reuters.

Potential for Additional Investment

Filia said the effort is likely to garner additional private investment, including potential institutional capital. He declined to comment on its size, but a source said it was likely to launch with roughly $100 million.

Addressing Funding Gaps for Small Businesses

"There has been more of a need, more of a pressure to build up alternative resources of access to capital," Filia said, adding that small businesses "are in desperate need of funding because banks...focus on mainstream clients, large corporate clients."

Global Context and Impact

The Financing Gap for Women-Owned Firms

In a news release, Fasanara and the IFC said that globally, small businesses face a $5.7 trillion financing gap, with women-owned firms hit the hardest.

Supporting Job Creation in Emerging Markets

IFC's Perspective

Mohamed Gouled, IFC vice president for products and clients, said expanding access to financing for small businesses was "one of the most effective ways to support job creation in emerging markets."

Role of Fintech Platforms

Fasanara relies on more than 100 different fintech platforms in dozens of countries to identify and filter potential borrowers

Reporting and Editorial

Article Contributors

(Reporting by Libby George; Editing by Amanda Cooper)

Key Takeaways

•The initiative provides average loans of about $50,000 to thousands of women‑owned small businesses, identified via fintech platforms, mobilizing roughly $100 million in initial capital (Reuters, March 2, 2026).

•The global SME financing gap is estimated at US$5.7 trillion across emerging markets, with women‑owned MSMEs facing around US$1.9 trillion of that shortfall (IFC‑World Bank MSME Finance Gap Report, March 2025).

•Expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs is seen by IFC as pivotal for job creation and inclusive growth in emerging markets, offering attractive institutional investment opportunities as private capital shifts due to an aid pullback.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is the main objective of the IFC-backed initiative?

The initiative aims to provide approximately $100 million in loans to women-owned small businesses in developing countries.

2Who are the main organizations behind the initiative?

The project is a collaboration between Fasanara Capital and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

3How much will the average loan be for women-owned businesses?

The average loan amount for women-owned businesses will be around $50,000.

4Why is this funding important for women-owned businesses?

Women-owned firms face the largest financing gap globally, making access to capital crucial for their growth and job creation in emerging markets.

5How are potential borrowers identified for the initiative?

Fasanara Capital uses over 100 different fintech platforms in dozens of countries to identify and filter potential women-owned business borrowers.