The objective of this RFA is to select Microfinance Institutions (MFI) in Sierra Leone that will be eligible to apply for a loan to fund the expansion of their loan portfolio through new initiatives including facilitation to capital accumulation. On a case by case, the facility will provide a risk sharing mechanism that will be agreed upon with each MFI. Moreover, the debt finance component will come together with a technical assistance component.

UNCDF is inviting applications from Microfinance Institutions registered and operating in Sierra Leone that are involved in Agriculture Financing in need of concessional debt funding necessary to finance their working capital or expansion goals with a special focus in the Agriculture sector. The entities should specifically be focused on serving rural and peri-urban communities, households and/or businesses led by women and youth segments in Sierra Leone.

UNCDF debt funding will be discussed on a case by case with the institution. The debt funding will preferably be issued in local currency, but can be issued in hard currency if deemed appropriate. Debt financing will be provided to two or more selected applicants after a detailed due diligence to assess their technical and financial viability. Financing will be up to a maximum of 150,000 USD per MFI.

Inquiries to this request for applications may be submitted by email to wycliffe.ngwabe@uncdf.org cc uncdf.rfa@uncdf.org

All applications must be submitted by 11 May 2021 23:59 EDT trough UNCDF e-investment platform: https://apply.uncdf.org/prog/rfa_microfinance_institutions_funding_in_sierra_leone