News

Oikocredit Live: Learning from the Voices of Finca Perú and its Beneficiaries An online event with Finca Perú on 28 March 2023

FINCA-PE-128_©Opmeer Reports.jpg21 mars | 2023 Are you curious about Oikocredit’s digital end-client survey? Want to learn more about the microfinance institution Finca Perú and its focus on empowering women? Läs mer

How low-income women are creating change in Honduras

Lourdes Valeriano15 mars | 2023 About 57% of Prisma Honduras’ women clients say their business is the main source of household income. General Manager Lourdes Valeriano explains how the MFI is promoting gender equality in Central America. Läs mer

Oikocredit launches a new capital-raising model

AGM-2019-17.jpg01 mars | 2023 OIKOCREDIT, Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society U.A. (Oikocredit) has launched its new capital-raising model, which is going to allow any eligible organisations and individuals to invest directly in the cooperative. Läs mer

Oikocredit lanserar den första fasen av en ny modell för kapitalanskaffning i Sverige

AGM-2019-17.jpg28 februari | 2023 Oikocredit börjar införa sin nya modell för kapitalanskaffning, som kommer att göra det möjligt för alla berättigade svenska organisationer eller privatpersoner att investera direkt i kooperativet. Befintliga svenska investerare överförs automatiskt till den nya modellen. Läs mer

Oikocredit bekräftar genomförandet av ny kapitalanskaffningsmodell i Sverige

AGM-2019-17.jpg15 februari | 2023 Oikocredit planerar att införa sin nya modell för kapitalanskaffning den 1 mars 2023, vilket gör det möjligt för svenska investerare att investera direkt i kooperativet. Befintliga svenska investerare kommer automatiskt att övergå till den nya modellen i två faser. Läs mer

Oikocredit confirms implementation of new capital-raising model

AGM-2019-17.jpg15 februari | 2023 OIKOCREDIT, Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society U.A. (Oikocredit) will begin implementing its new capital-raising model on 1 March 2023, which is going to allow any eligible organisations and individuals to invest directly in the cooperative. Läs mer

An Indonesian food entrepreneur’s journey: Sanah’s story

MBK-ID-44.jpg09 februari | 2023 Indonesia has a vibrant network of women entrepreneurs, but lack of access to working capital can prevent growth and scaling-up. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we celebrate one entrepreneur who has turned Indonesia’s love for krupuk into a thriving business. Läs mer

Oikocredit and Triodos IM provide € 10 million Tier II capital to Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire

Bridge Bank Logo.jpg06 februari | 2023 The Ivorian bank, an affiliate of Bridge Group West Africa, finances local small and medium enterprises and supports job creation in the region Läs mer

MyCredit and Oikocredit US$ 2.6 million partnership to fund SMEs in Kenya

Logo MyCredit.jpg02 februari | 2023 This loan facility from Oikocredit will support Kenyan financial company MyCredit to offer affordable, medium-term financing to local SMEs Läs mer

Oikocredit invests US$ 5 million in Yellow to support solar energy in Africa

Yellow_logo.jpg31 januari | 2023 Yellow will use Oikocredit loan to provide electricity and mobile connections to more households in Africa Läs mer

Creating more positive change! Interview with Dave Smit

Dave Smit.jpg25 januari | 2023 In October 2022 Dave Smit joined Oikocredit as Director of Impact Investments. Here he reflects on his first 100 days and the fact that low-income people in developing countries are hit hard by global headwinds. Läs mer

Oikocredit Equity partner Avanti wins prestigious Indian award

Avanti logo.jpg24 januari | 2023 Oikocredit’s equity partner Avanti Finance has received the coveted Fintech Innovation for Financial Inclusion Award as part of the Inclusive Finance India Awards. Läs mer

Projects in Action with Banco da Familia

Banco da Familia logo1.jpg10 januari | 2023 Oikocredit works with partners across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to support low-income communities, create social impact and build resilient and sustainable businesses. We ... Läs mer

Being mindful about adding value and realising impact is essential for Oikocredit’s success

mirjam web.jpg03 januari | 2023 Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Mirjam ‘t Lam, shares her thoughts as the New Year begins. Läs mer

Creating a sustainable future [video]

Ecozen seasons greetings.jpg21 december | 2022 This new video featuring our partner Ecozen is sure to encourage you this holiday season. See how their work in renewable energy and agriculture impacts local farmers in India. Läs mer

Oikocredit sold equity investment in Indian microfinance institution Fusion

Untitled (200 × 200px) (8).png19 december | 2022 Oikocredit’s investment has supported Fusion’s successful growth into a microfinance provider to more than 2.9 million mainly rural low-income women. Läs mer

Oikocredit supports smallholder cocoa farmers in Côte Ivoire

FEDCO-GH-036.jpg14 december | 2022 Cocoa from the cacao tree is the main ingredient in the world’s chocolate. Cocoa is also crucial to Côte Ivoire’s economy. As the main agricultural crop and export commodity, cocoa sustains about ... Läs mer

Oikocredit ser fram emot 2023 års nya modell för kapitalanskaffning i Sverige

AGM-2019-17.jpg09 december | 2022 Oikocredit planerar att införa sin nya modell för kapitalanskaffning den 1 mars 2023, vilket gör det möjligt för svenska investerare att investera direkt i kooperativet. Befintliga svenska investerare kommer automatiskt att övergå till den nya modellen i två faser. Läs mer

Oikocredit and I&P take equity stakes in agro-processor Agroserv in Burkina Faso

Logo Agroserv.jpg07 december | 2022 The social-impact company will develop a new processing plant, diversify products, and serve more smallholder farmers and households Läs mer

Microfinance addresses the gap: interview with Brij Mohan

Oikocredit_India_31.jpg05 december | 2022 Brij Mohan is the former Executive Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the founding Chair of ACCESS Development Services. Läs mer

Oikocredit looks forward to 2023 with a new capital-raising model

AGM-2019-17.jpg02 december | 2022 Oikocredit is planning to introduce its new capital-raising model on 1 March 2023, to allow any eligible organisations and individuals to invest directly in the cooperative. Läs mer

Oikocredit invests US$7 million in Solarise Africa to support affordable solar access for businesses in Africa

Solarise l.png01 december | 2022 The investment will support Solarise Africa’s solar and energy efficiency solutions for small and medium enterprises and other commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses. Läs mer

Prioritising impact and maintaining balance: interview with Gwen van Berne

Gwen-van-Berne.jpg28 november | 2022 Gwen van Berne joined Oikocredit as Director of Finance & Risk in May 2022. In this interview, she shares a bit about herself, her new role and the cooperative’s latest quarterly financial report. Läs mer

Oikocredit invests in Ivorian fintech Djamo to support its growth and expansion in francophone West Africa

Djamologo.jpg23 november | 2022 Oikocredit and other investors will assist the fast-growing fintech in offering affordable financial services to many more financially excluded people. Läs mer

Q3 2022 quarterly report: Moving in the right direction

CRES-BR- (8) (2).jpg21 november | 2022 Four times a year Oikocredit publishes key facts and figures on the previous quarter. Here we provide our investors and others with additional background context on developments during the third quarter of 2022. Läs mer

Mobilising investments in water and sanitation | Interview with Josien Sluijs

Josien Sluijs.jpg14 november | 2022 Oikocredit has signed a two-year partnership with Aqua for All to mobilise investments in water and sanitation – an area that Oikocredit is exploring as part of its 2022-2026 strategy. We recently sat down with Aqua for All’s Managing Director, Josien Sluijs, to talk about the partnership with the foundation and to understand more about the sector. Läs mer

Oikocredit invests US$ 1,000,000 in Standard Life Organisation to support low-income entrepreneurs in Nigeria

Logo Standard Life.jpg10 november | 2022 Three-year term loan will support Nigerian NGO and microfinance institution’s work with low-income women, men and children Läs mer

Oikocredit banar väg för ny modell för kapitalanskaffning

AGM-2019-17.jpg01 november | 2022 Oikocredit planerar att erbjuda investerare en enda direkt kanal för att investera i det internationella kooperativet i syfte att förenkla dess arbete och i slutändan öka dess effekt. Läs mer

Aqua for All interviews Oikocredit’s Managing Director on new partnership

aqua for all web asset.png01 november | 2022 Oikocredit and Aqua for All joined forces to help increase access to water and sanitation in Asia and Africa. In this interview, Aqua for All sits down with Mirjam 't Lam, Oikocredit's Managing Director, to discuss the new partnership and how it can help impact low-income communities. Läs mer

A better world for women entrepreneurs in Côte d’Ivoire: Marina’s story

FIN-CI-31.jpg12 oktober | 2022 In Côte d’Ivoire, women suffer extremely high levels of discrimination. Whether it’s access to education, healthcare, jobs or financial inclusion, they are constantly faced with inequality issues.... Läs mer

Dave Smit appointed as Director of Impact Investments at Oikocredit

Dave Smit webversion.jpg10 oktober | 2022 Social impact investor Oikocredit has appointed Dave Smit as its Director of Impact Investments, effective 10 October 2022. Läs mer

Farmerline Group reaches Pre-Series A second close with US$ 1.5 million from Oikocredit in funding round worth US$ 14.4 million

Farmerline1.jpg26 september | 2022 Oikocredit is delighted to announce an investment of US$ 1.5 million in Farmerline Group, an organisation partnering with agribusinesses and farm associations to support African farmers with ... Läs mer

Rebuilding and rebalancing: Oikocredit publishes Impact Report 2022

IR2022 eng cover.jpg21 september | 2022 Oikocredit publishes its Impact Report 2022 Läs mer

Oikocredit to hold Extraordinary General Meeting on 14 October 2022

EGM image small19 september | 2022 Oikocredit’s Managing Board and Supervisory Board have announced an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to be held with its cooperative members on Friday, 14 October 2022. There will also be a ... Läs mer

Dave Smit appointed as Director of Impact Investments at Oikocredit

Dave Smit webversion.jpg13 september | 2022 Social impact investor Oikocredit has appointed Dave Smit as its Director of Impact Investments, effective 10 October 2022. Läs mer

Caroline Mulwa appointed as Regional Director for Africa

Caroline Mulwa.JPG29 augusti | 2022 Experienced impact investment professional Caroline Mulwa promoted to Regional Director Africa from 16 August 2022. Läs mer

Q2 2022 quarterly report: Mixed outcomes as economic uncertainty persists

CRE-BO-24 (1).jpg23 augusti | 2022 Four times a year Oikocredit publishes key facts and figures on the previous quarter. Here we provide our investors and others with additional background context on developments during the second quarter of 2022. Läs mer

Changing our world view | Why Oikocredit is switching to the Gall-Peters projection map

map snippet.jpg19 augusti | 2022 In this blog, Nina Alff, from Oikocredit Support Association Baden-Württemberg, explains why Oikocredit has decided to switch to the Gall-Peters projection of the world map. Läs mer

Reflecting on 2022: 3 Articles to re-read this Summer

3ArticlesToRe-Read.png10 augusti | 2022 Oikocredit has stayed busy this year. As we continue developing and implementing our 2022 – 2026 strategy under the direction of our recently formed Executive Committee, let us reflect on the progress we made so far. Läs mer

Oikocredit invests € 2.7 million in Africa Negoce Industries to support Benin cashew value chain

Logo ANI.jpg25 juli | 2022 The loan to the cashew processing company will sustain up to 500 jobs and support the work of 2500 cashew producers in Benin Läs mer

Oikocredit and ElectriFI support off-grid power for low-income Kenyans with Solar Panda

Logo SP.jpg06 juli | 2022 The new partnership will help sustain in-country growth of clean, safe and affordable domestic electricity. Läs mer

Oikocredit strengthens leadership with new Executive Committee

Executive Team gallery01 juli | 2022 The new committee comprises existing Managing Board members and newly appointed directors and will oversee implementation of the cooperative’s 2022-2026 strategy Läs mer

Oikocredit supports new coffee platform for impact lenders

Beyco.jfif29 juni | 2022 Oikocredit is among the first impact lenders active on Beyco, a coffee trading platform based on blockchain technology launched by non-profit organisation Progreso Foundation in 2018. Läs mer

Oikocredit teams up with DFC, Norfund and responsAbility on a financing vehicle investment to ‘impact millions'

d.light logo17 juni | 2022 The new financing vehicle is the largest off-balance-sheet financing facility of its kind in the industry and will pave the way for d.light to sustainably expand its PayGo operations across Africa. Läs mer

Oikocredit holds 46th annual general meeting

46th AGM asset.png15 juni | 2022 On 09 June 2022, Oikocredit held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, with members and others joining and participating through a web-based conferencing and electronic voting system. Läs mer

New Aqua for All and Oikocredit partnership to invest in community water and sanitation

Aqua for All logo PNG.png14 juni | 2022 Collaboration will develop innovative and affordable financing solutions for water, sanitation and hygiene in Africa and Asia. Läs mer

Cultivating cotton for communities

IVO-CI-13.jpg02 juni | 2022 The cultivation of cotton by West African communities has brought better infrastructure¹, more job opportunities and is an essential export of the region. But the crop’s greatest contribution is ... Läs mer

Q1 2022 quarterly report: International events influence results

Ivoire Coton.jpg30 maj | 2022 Four times a year Oikocredit publishes key facts and figures on the previous quarter. Here we provide our investors and others with additional background context on developments during the first quarter of 2022. Läs mer

Oikocredit invites members to Annual General Meeting in June

AGM45thSocialMediaAsset.PNG16 maj | 2022 Every year in June, Oikocredit holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM). This year it will be held as a hybrid meeting in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, on 9 June 2022. Läs mer

Celebrating 15 years with Oikocredit: interview with Caroline Mulwa

Caroline Mulwa1 - SMALLVERSION.jpg11 maj | 2022 Caroline Mulwa, Oikocredit’s Investments Manager East Africa, celebrates 15 years with our cooperative this year. We took the opportunity to ask Caroline about her experience of working with us for the last decade and a half, the changes she has seen and the relevance and impact of our work. Läs mer

Oikocredit supports digital financial services in Latin America

bankingly.png09 maj | 2022 Oikocredit has acquired a minority stake in Bankingly as part of a funding round for USD 10 million Läs mer

Reflecting and pushing forward for impact: blog by Mirjam 't Lam

Mirjam 't Lam.jpg02 maj | 2022 As our cooperative recently published its annual results for 2021 our Managing Director Mirjam ‘t Lam shares her thoughts about some of the key highlights and challenges of the year and provides insight into the new strategy for 2022-2026. Läs mer

Financial results for 2021: achievement and recovery

Financial results 202121 april | 2022 Oikocredit has today announced its financial results for 2021 and reports on a successful year of rebuilding and rebalancing after the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. Läs mer

Q4 2021 quarterly report: Achievement and recovery

Untitled design (7).png21 april | 2022 Four times a year Oikocredit publishes key facts and figures on the previous quarter. Here we provide our investors and others with additional background context on developments during the fourth quarter of 2021. Läs mer

Gwen van Berne appointed as Director of Finance & Risk

Gwen-van-Berne.jpg19 april | 2022 Gwen van Berne has been appointed as Director of Finance & Risk from 9 May 2022. Läs mer

Impacting investing in West Africa [interview]

Yves14 april | 2022 Oikocredit’s support associations in the United States and Canada recently met (virtually) with Yves Komaclo, Oikocredit’s Investment Manager for West Africa, to get his perspective on our work in West Africa. This article is based on the conversation that took place. Läs mer

Latest investment to power West African communities with solar energy

Renewable energy.jpg12 april | 2022 Oikocredit invests € 1.4 million in Weziza Benin to support the growth of distributed energy in West Africa. Läs mer

A cooperative caring for local communities: Simone and Jonas' story

Simone and Jonas in their greenhouse28 mars | 2022 Oikocredit’s team in Brazil is passionate about investing in cooperatives that have strong ties to local communities. To help explain why, we’re introducing you to Cresol Tenente Portela and some of their clients. Läs mer

Cool concepts for rural energy [interview]

Vivek and Kiran (RE).png14 mars | 2022 Solar cold storage is just one of the products that Oikocredit's new Indian partner, Ecozen Solutions, uses to improve agriculture. The world’s seventh largest country needs innovative solutions to meet its rapidly growing energy demand. Kiran Kodi, Renewable Energy Manager at Maanaveeya, Oikocredit's Indian subsidiary, and Vivek Pandey, co-founder of Ecozen, explain that the aim of their partnership is to ensure that farmers and entire value chains also benefit from innovative renewable energy solutions. Läs mer

Empowering low-income women is at the heart of Oikocredit’s mission [interview]

Marilou Juanito.jpeg08 mars | 2022 To mark International Women’s Day 2022, we asked Marilou Pantua-Juanito, Oikocredit’s Capacity Building & Social Performance Coordinator in Southeast Asia, about working with Oikocredit for women’s empowerment. Läs mer

Journey of the heart: the impact of seedlings for years to come

Elikanah photo Part 2-2.jpg03 mars | 2022 In part two of this blog, Elikanah Ng'ang'a, Oikocredit’s Social Performance and Capacity Building Officer for Eastern Africa, reflects on the transformation of Rwanda and the Rwanda Tea Seedlings Project. Läs mer

Journey of the heart: visiting the Rwanda Tea Seedlings Project

Elikanah Ng'ang'a28 februari | 2022 In this blog, Oikocredit’s Social Performance and Capacity Building Officer for Eastern Africa, Elikanah Ng'ang'a, takes us on a journey from his home in Kenya to Rwanda and reports on Oikocredit’s Rwanda Tea Seedlings Project. Läs mer

Proud to have worked for Oikocredit [interview]

Bart-van-Eyk-web.jpg08 februari | 2022 After over six years at Oikocredit, Bart van Eyk, Director of Investments, is leaving to explore new ventures in the world of impact investing and social enterprises. In this interview he shares about his highlights, challenges, learnings and more. Läs mer

Oikocredit and Opportunity International collaboration will support affordable quality education for under-served families [interview]

Hans_1697_web.jpg31 januari | 2022 Oikocredit has been working with stakeholders to develop a new multi-year strategy for launch later in 2022 with an innovative approach to meeting low-income communities’ needs in education, housing, health and public infrastructure. In November 2021 we launched a new education partnership with Opportunity International in Nairobi, Kenya, attended by more than 30 financial institutions. We recently interviewed Hans Perk, Oikocredit’s Regional Director Africa, about the new venture. Läs mer

€ 5 million loan to power African SMEs with solar energy

ecoligo Solar System Kenya.jpg25 januari | 2022 Oikocredit has provided Ecoligo with a € 5 million loan to grow the use of solar energy used to power small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana and Kenya Läs mer

Digital surveying shows social changes from perspective of Oikocredit partners’ clients

Client self-perception survey coverpage.png12 januari | 2022 Oikocredit and five financial services partner organisations have undertaken a systematic, digital survey of the partners’ clients to assess significant changes in their lives over the past twelve months. Läs mer

Becoming Oikocredit’s new Managing Director: interview with Mirjam ‘t Lam

Mirjam 't Lam.jpg10 januari | 2022 Mirjam ‘t Lam took up her new post as Managing Director of Oikocredit on 1 December. She had served as Interim Managing Director for several months after joining the cooperative in November 2020 as Director of Finance & Risk. We interviewed Mirjam about her professional background, her personal motivation, and her thoughts about Oikocredit, 2021 and the coming year. Läs mer

New Year’s Message: Looking back and moving forward

Mirjam 't Lam.jpg04 januari | 2022 Oikocredit’s new Managing Director, Mirjam ‘t Lam, reflects on her first year at Oikocredit and shares about what we can look forward to in 2022 and beyond. Läs mer

The season of joy and Mercy’s story

UNAI-KE-65.jpg17 december | 2021 It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or what you are celebrating this holiday season, striving to make a positive impact in the lives of low-income people is something that everyone can take part in. Läs mer

Oikocredit joins FIRST+ programme to help generate work opportunities for 60,000 Ghanaians

First+.png15 december | 2021 Oikocredit is teaming up with CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus) and the Mastercard Foundation on their Financial Institution Resilience and Strengthening (FIRST+) programme to strengthen financial institutions and create work opportunities in Ghana. Läs mer

Oikocredit held General Meeting to discuss strategy and capital-raising model

EGM image small07 december | 2021 On 2 December Oikocredit held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, with members and others participating through a web-based conferencing and electronic voting system. Läs mer

Oikocredit invests € 2 million to support growth of solar energy in Africa

Spark.jpg07 december | 2021 Our investment in solar electricity innovators Spark will enable last-mile distributors to bring affordable, sustainable off-grid solutions to hundreds of thousands of low-income households Läs mer

Introducing Oikocredit’s new community-focused approach: learning from partners

MVP.png06 december | 2021 Oikocredit has been working with its stakeholders for some time to develop a new purpose-driven multi-year strategy for launch in 2022. Läs mer

Call for Supervisory Board applications

Newsletter November screenshot01 december | 2021 Oikocredit intends to appoint new members to its Supervisory Board during its annual general meeting in June 2022. Läs mer

IDH Farmfit Fund and Oikocredit co-investment in Aldea Global to support Nicaraguan coffee smallholders

ALD-NI-50.jpg30 november | 2021 IDH Farmfit Fund and Oikocredit are providing a  syndicated US$ 3.2 million loan to Asociación Aldea Global Jinotega, a Nicaraguan small farmers’ association that produces and exports speciality ... Läs mer