IFC is partnering with both Vista Holding Group subsidiaries — Vista Guinee (VistaGui) in Guinea and Vista Bank Burkina (VistaBF) in Burkina Faso — to strengthen their capacity to serve micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across both countries, with a particular focus on women-owned or women-led MSMEs (WMSMEs), and to support climate-resilient activities. Both Guinea and Burkina Faso face significant challenges in MSME financing, with credit gaps representing close to 20% of GDP. Women entrepreneurs in both markets are especially underserved, hindered by high collateral requirements, limited credit history, and socio-cultural constraints. These barriers prevent many businesses from accessing the capital needed for growth, diversification, and resilience to climate shocks. Through this Advisory Services engagement, IFC will work in parallel and in close collaboration with VistaGui and VistaBF to: Design and implement fit-for-purpose risk management frameworks adapted to each country’s market conditions; Strengthen governance and build institutional capacity in both banks to better identify, monitor, and mitigate credit and operational risks; Develop and operationalize a sex-disaggregated data framework for borrower profiling in each subsidiary; Introduce a gender flag definition system in both banks for more effective targeting of WMSMEs. This support will enhance sustainable lending practices, protect asset quality, and promote greater financial inclusion in both Guinea and Burkina Faso. By integrating improved data analysis and gender-responsive lending tools, VistaGui and VistaBF will be better equipped to reach more women entrepreneurs and underserved MSMEs — contributing to job creation, economic diversification, and increased climate resilience in both countries.

Indicator	Cumulative
Number of recommended procedures/firm-level policies/practices/standards that were improved or eliminated	null
Number of participants in workshops, training events, seminars, conferences, etc.	null
Number of participants providing feedback on satisfaction	null
Number of participants reporting satisfied or very satisfied with workshops, trainings, seminars, conferences, etc.	null
Number of risk management procedures/firm policies/practices/standards proposed for improvement or elimination (for Risk Management)	null
Number of reports (assessments, surveys, manuals, Phase I/strategic option reports, research, analytical, evaluations, etc.) completed	null
Number of workshops, training events, seminars, conferences, etc.	null

Performance Standard	Description and Potential Impact	Mitigation
Performance Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts	As part of its Due Diligence, and as mandated by IFC Sustainability Policy, IFC team has screened this project to assess consistency with IFC's Performance standards. Environmental and social risks will be further reviewed throughout the life-cycle of the project.	IFC advice will be provided in a manner consistent with the principles of the relevant Performance Standards. The IFC team will assist the client, as final decision maker, in gaining a good understanding of IFC's Performance Standards, and provide recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures whenever warranted.