The Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa (REGMIFA) is pleased to announce that DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH has committed USD 20 million to the Fund. The first USD 10 million was disbursed in July 2026, starting a long-time partnership between REGMIFA and DEG.
The investment underscores DEG’s confidence in REGMIFA’s mission to expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through responsible financial intermediaries and supporting low and middle-income households across Sub-Saharan Africa.
MSMEs are a key driver of economic development throughout the region, accounting for the vast majority of businesses and providing employment opportunities for millions of people. By enabling local financial institutions to increase lending to MSMEs, REGMIFA contributes to creating and sustaining jobs, strengthening local economies, and fostering inclusive and resilient economic growth.
“We are delighted to start our partnership with DEG” said Laure Wessemius-Chibrac, chairwoman of the REGMIFA Board. “This new commitment reinforces our joint ambition to support financial institutions that serve entrepreneurs and small businesses, the backbone of African economies. Together, we help create employment opportunities, strengthen local value chains, and improve economic resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
“DEG and REGMIFA share the commitment to sustainable economic development and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Gudrun Busch, Head of Division at DEG. “From the very beginning, our cooperation has been characterized by professionalism, transparency, and a solution-oriented partnership. Our shared goal is to sustainably strengthen local companies’ access to financing across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
DEG’s support reflects a shared commitment to promoting sustainable private sector development and increasing financial inclusion in underserved markets. Through its blended finance structure, REGMIFA mobilizes public and private capital to provide long-term funding to banks, microfinance institutions, leasing companies, and other financial intermediaries serving MSMEs. The Fund combines strong development impact with prudent risk management and high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. The investments are managed by Symbiotics Asset Management SA, Geneva.
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About REGMIFA
Regional MSME Investment Fund for Sub-Saharan Africa (REGMIFA) is a Luxembourg-based impact investment fund dedicated to improving access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and low and middle-income households across Sub-Saharan Africa. By providing long-term funding to responsible financial institutions, REGMIFA promotes financial inclusion, supports entrepreneurship, and contributes to sustainable economic development and job creation throughout the region. regmifa.com
About DEG
For more than 60 years, DEG has been financing and advising private enterprises operating in developing and emerging-market countries. With a portfolio of around EUR 11.7 billion we’re one of the largest private-sector development financiers. As an impact and climate investor we accompany companies that are addressing transformation and aiming to seize their opportunities. Our customers not only receive financing and advisory solutions tailored to their needs: they can build on our market knowledge, our impact and climate expertise and our international network. In this way, DEG, a subsidiary of KfW, contributes to creating more skilled jobs and local income and to improving value creation on the ground in line with the SDGs. deginvest.de
About Symbiotics
Symbiotics is the leading market access platform for impact investing, dedicated to private markets in emerging and frontier economies. The group offers investment, asset management and capacity building services. Since 2005, we have originated over 9,300 investments representing more than USD 11.9 billion for 666 companies in 99 countries. We manage an aggregate portfolio of USD 2.5 billion spread across 19 funds and mandates. Our portfolio companies have also benefited from over 170 technical assistance projects worth more than USD 19 million. symbioticsgroup.com
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Media Contact:
Samy Derradji, Head of Corporate Communication, Symbiotics
samy.derradji@symbioticsgroup.com
