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While poverty has decreased globally, fragile communities continue to lag behind in terms of development. For these communities to flourish, economic development is essential. To support this, financial systems must be strengthened, investments in businesses provided and jobs need to be created. However, the most fragile developing countries lack access to inclusive financial services. Cordaid Investment Management B.V. fills this gap by investing in people and businesses that have limited or no financial alternatives.

What we do

Cordaid Investment Management B.V., the asset management branch of Cordaid Foundation, demonstrates that it is possible to create scalable and sustainable social impact in fragile contexts. We invest in Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) that offer inclusive finance to micro entrepreneurs. We also invest in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that have limited or no financial alternatives. Cordaid Investments uses a mix of instruments: patient capital (equity and subordinated debt) and senior debt including loans with longer maturities. We harness social returns throughout our investment processes and we pride ourselves of being forward thinking when it comes to measuring social impact and designing social performance indicators and assessment tools.

Cordaid Investments supports the rural financial market in Myanmar (© Cordaid/Karen Mol)

Cordaid Investments manages thematic investment funds that foster Cordaid’s multidisciplinary approach to development. The Rural and Agriculture Fund (RURAF) provides agricultural subsectors with access to finance to boost local rural economies. RURAF focuses on MFIs that serve farmers and rural microentrepreneurs. The Stability Impact Fund (SIF) contributes to economic development in fragile communities. SIF is an impact fund serving all segments of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The Stability Impact Fund Africa (SIFA) will be a carve-out of SIF specifically focusing on Africa. It provides SMEs with access to inclusive finance in combination with Cordaid’s Business Development Services.

Female microentrepreneur who received funding from our partner MFI Hekima in the Democratic Republic of Congo (© Hekima)

Cordaid Investments is a 100% subsidiary of Cordaid Foundation, which is a frontrunner in opening markets to impact investment since 1997. Cordaid Investments works with a professional investment team of 20 persons, with backgrounds in banking and development aid. Cordaid Investments is currently active in 21 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

€ 70 mln invested in microfinance institutions and SMEs
70 partners financed
6.9 mln entrepreneurs impacted by our partners

Investments Services

Investment management

Cordaid Investments manages impact investment funds. We provide patient capital to MFIs and SMEs. We focus on those opportunities that offer high social impact to stimulate the creation of jobs, to empower women and to catalyse rural businesses. Cordaid Investments strives to invest in markets in fragile communities while maintaining an integrated Environmental, Social and Governance approach. Our duty towards our investors is to guarantee a financial return and open markets in which investors would not otherwise be able to invest in.