PROPARCO joins British International Investment and FMO to expand the reach of the Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) across the continent
ARIA is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with PROPARCO, the private sector financing arm of the Agence française de développement Group (AFD Group). PROPARCO joins the platform as a funding partner alongside British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, and FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in ARIA’s journey to unlock sustainable investment in frontier markets across Africa. With PROPARCO’s support, ARIA is not only strengthening collaboration among development finance institutions but also launching the second phase of the initiative, which will see the platform expand in both reach and depth.
In its second phase, ARIA will extend its footprint to two new countries: Guinea and Togo, expanding beyond its current operations in Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. In parallel, ARIA will also intensify its focus on pre-investment technical assistance to better prepare businesses for long-term, transformative financing. This new phase reflects ARIA’s commitment to supporting more African economies where access to capital remains a key constraint to private sector development.
Since its launch in 2021, ARIA has helped unlock more than $50 million in investment for businesses in frontier markets. Notable transactions include:
· PROPARCO’s investment in Jolaks, a manufacturing company in Sierra Leone
· A risk-sharing facility between BII and Ecobank Sierra Leone to support small and medium-sized enterprises
· BII’s investment in Mopo, a clean energy business operating in the DRC
· FMO’s investment in FPM, a leading financial intermediary in DRC that supports local Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs)
Beyond supporting transactions, ARIA works with a broad coalition of companies, investors, governments and donors to help build business-enabling environments. For instance, as part of a recent country visit to Ethiopia, ARIA engaged with a broader pool of impact investors, including the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development, to build an agribusiness pipeline, and sign a memorandum of understanding with the British Embassy Addis Ababa. This partnership aims to deepen collaboration between donor agencies and DFIs and strengthen the investment climate in Ethiopia.
By combining resources, knowledge, and networks, ARIA’s partners are shaping a more coordinated and catalytic approach in markets where DFIs are needed most.
Françoise Lombard, CEO of PROPARCO, said:
“We are delighted to join the ARIA platform alongside FMO and BII. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to catalysing private investment where it is most needed. PROPARCO is ready to play an active role in scaling up investments in ARIA countries and building more resilient, dynamic economies.”
Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of BII, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome PROPARCO as a funding partner in ARIA, a platform we created to unlock critical investment opportunities in the markets that need it most. This partnership underscores the DFI community's steadfast commitment to enhancing technical assistance and boosting the flow of capital to frontier markets, where private-sector investment is often limited. Together, we are paving the way for sustainable growth and development in these vital regions."
Michael Jongeneel, CEO of FMO, said:
“We are proud to see ARIA entering its next phase with the support of like-minded partners such as PROPARCO. Together, we can further scale our efforts to unlock opportunities and strengthen the broader investment climate in support of entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa.”
Media contacts:
ARIA: info@ariainvests.org
BII: press@bii.co.uk
FMO: Monica Beek m.beek@fmo.nl
PROPARCO: Floriane Balac balacf@proparco.fr