Proparco

Proparco is a prominent French development finance institution (DFI), operating as a subsidiary of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group. Its core mission is to foster sustainable economic, social, and environmental development by supporting private sector projects in developing and emerging countries. Headquartered in Paris, Proparco plays a crucial role in mobilizing private capital towards initiatives that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing long-term impact and responsible investment practices.

The institution's investment strategy spans a wide array of sectors critical for sustainable growth, including renewable energy, infrastructure, financial institutions, agribusiness, healthcare, and education. Geographically, Proparco's reach extends across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, targeting regions where private sector development can have the most transformative effect. Proparco offers a diverse suite of financial instruments, including long-term debt, equity, quasi-equity investments, and guarantees, tailored to meet the specific needs and risk profiles of its partner companies and projects.

Proparco's commitment to development impact is central to its investment philosophy. Each project is rigorously assessed for its potential to generate positive outcomes, such as job creation, climate change mitigation, and social inclusion. In 2023 alone, Proparco's total commitments reached an impressive €2.3 billion, distributed across more than 100 projects worldwide, underscoring its significant role in global development finance. While the specific "first cheque" size can vary based on project scope and financing structure, Proparco typically provides financing for projects ranging from €1 million to €100 million, reflecting its capacity to support both smaller, impactful ventures and large-scale infrastructure developments. This broad range allows Proparco to address diverse financing needs within its mandate.