PROJECT

Projects

Summary of Proposed Investment

Project Number

10069

Company Name

SOCREMO - BANCO DE MICROFINANCAS SARL

Date SPI Disclosed

Mar 9, 2000

Country

Mozambique

Industry

Financial Markets

Status

Completed

Sector

Commercial Banking - Microfinance and Small Business

Department

Global Industry, Financial Markets

Environmental Category

FI

Previous Events

Approved : Apr 5, 2000
Signed : Oct 4, 2000
Invested : Nov 2, 2000

Project Description

Summary Of Project Information (SPI)

Project NameMozambique - Banco de Microfinanças de Moçambique

RegionSub-Saharan Africa
Sector
Project No10069
Projected Board DateApril 8, 2000
Company NameBanco de Microfinanças de Moçambique
Technical Partner and/or Major Shareholders

The technical partner is IPC, a German consulting company with more than 20 years of experience in microfinance.
The major shareholders of Banco de Microfinanças de Moçambique (BMF) are:
* Banco Internacional de Moçambique (BIM), one of the largest commercial banks in Mozambique. BIM is owned by BCP/Atlantico (50%) of Portugal; and IFC (25%);
* Internationale Micro Investitionen AG (IMI)- a development-oriented investment company focusing on financial services institutions targeted at low-income strata in developing countries and transition economies. IMI was founded in Frankfurt on July 6, 1998 by IPC GmbH, and by IPC-Invest;
* IFC;
* Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO), a Dutch semi-government-owned agency responsible for investing in developing countries.
The proposed shareholder structure is as follows: BIM: 30-35%; IFC: 20%; IMI: 20%; FMO: 20%; Mozambican government agency: 5-10%, for a total of 100%.

Project Cost Including proposed IFC investment

The total project cost is estimated at US$2 million, with proposed IFC equity investment estimated at 20%.

Location of project and Description of site

Banco de Microfinanças de Moçambique intends to start its lending operations in Maputo and open additional branches later on.

Description of Company and Purpose of Project

IFC has been asked to have a 20% equity stake in Banco de Microfinanças de Moçambique, the first microfinance bank being established in Mozambique. The bank’s objective is to provide financial services specifically tailored to the demand of small and micro enterprises, who do not have access to commercial banks and are not the typical clientele served by NGO microfinance intermediaries.
This will be IFC’s fourth investment in a financial institution in Mozambique. It will represent an important step towards IFC’s greater involvement in the development of the Mozambican financial sector and will reinforce its continued commitment in providing access to financing for small and micro enterprises. Specifically, IFC’s presence in this project will serve as a liaison between IPC and local banks (e.g. BIM) and will give comfort to potential additional investors. It will also make a valuable contribution to BMF’s corporate governance.
The development objectives of the project will be achieved by: (i) providing resources to serve the credit demand of small and micro enterprises with no access to the formal financial sector; (ii) developing the ability of their management to deal with formal financial institutions on a commercial basis; (iii) serving as a role model for other institutions which also have the objective of commercial sustainability.
BMF intends to start its lending operations in Maputo and open additional branches later on. Its three main products will be: micro loans, small loans and house improvement loans.

Environmental Category and Issues

This is a category FI Type 1 project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure. BMF has committed to establishing an environmental management system that will ensure that investments are consistent with applicable host country environmental laws and; designating appropriate individuals who will have responsibility for environment; attending IFC’s environmental management workshops; submitting an environmental management plan; and submitting an annual environmental performance report.


Date SPI sent to InfoShop March 9, 2000

“This Summary of Project Information is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of consideration of the proposed transaction by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. It is provided for the purpose of enhancing the transparency of IFC’s activities and should not be construed as presuming the outcome of IFC Board consideration.”

For Additional Information contact: Corporate Relations Unit -
telephone: (202) 473-7711
facsimile: (202) 974-4384

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