The project sponsor is the BOA Group, which is also the single largest shareholder of BOA Uganda. The BOA Group is a pan-African financial services group established in 1982 with the aim of supporting the expansion of financial services in the West African region and beyond. Since then, the group has established a unique foothold across Africa, with a presence in 11 Sub-Saharan African countries, including key markets such as Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar and Burundi. BOA Group owns and controls 51.20% of BOA Uganda. The rest of the shareholding is held by Aureos East Africa Fund LLC (21.90%); FMO – Netherlands Development Finance Co (17.50%) and Central Holdings Uganda Ltd (9.40%). BOA Group’s 51.20 % shareholding in BOA Uganda is held through the following entities: BoA Kenya: 50% Africa Financial Holdings Océan Indien: 1.20%

The proposed IFC Investment comprises of a 5 year senior loan of up to $5 million, with a 2 year grace period for principal. In addition, IFC will provide advisory services to the bank under its AMSME Finance Program.

200.0 million (USD)

Product Line	IFC Investment (million USD)
Risk Management
Guarantee
Loan	200.0
Equity

* These investment figures are indicative

The proposed IFC investment will be located in Uganda. BOA Uganda is headquartered in Kampala, Uganda and currently has about 16 branches spread across Uganda.

SME Lending Expansion: The project is expected to enhance BOA Uganda’s focus on SME lending and strengthen its capacity to adequately serve this segment of the banking market. The project will also enable the Bank to offer wider financing options to Ugandan SMEs, and hence encourage expansion of SME lending to this underserved yet key segment of the Ugandan economy. Such financing will be crucial for the sustainable development of the private sector across the country that results in improved economic development and poverty reduction. Demonstration Effect: The project will have a demonstration effect for other banks to diversify into the SME segment. In addition, BOA Uganda will have to comply with IFC’s environmental and social management standards. Compliance with these standards will improve the Bank’s environmental and social profile and create a demonstration effect for other banks.

The proposed IFC Investment is expected to strengthen the BOA Group's capacity to grow and expand across the region, enabling it to compete effectively within the regional financial system and enhance access to finance. Through the Advisory Services program, IFC will support the Bank's efforts to expand its lending activities in the SME sector, and help build its capacity to serve the sector profitably.

This project has been classified as a Category FI project according to IFC’s Environmental and Social Review Procedure. During appraisal, IFC analyzed the FI portfolio for types of transactions, size, tenor and industry sectors and determined as the Applicable Performance Requirements (i) the IFC FI Exclusion List, and (ii) the applicable National Social and Environmental Laws and Regulations. IFC also appraised the FI’s labor practices and reviewed the Bank’s existing Social & Environmental Management System (SEMS), and FI capacity to implement the same. Based on the Applicable Performance Requirements and SEMS and capacity review, the project will be required to (i) Formalize its existing Social & Environmental Management System (SEMS) and guidelines for its implementation, prior to disbursement to the satisfaction of IFC, (ii) identify responsible, qualified persons to manage and implement the SEMS, (iii) commit to implement the SEMS, to ensure that its activities are in compliance with the Applicable Performance Requirements, (iv) submit a periodic report to IFC as per a format to be provided by IFC, and (v) demonstrate commitment to applying the labor standards established by the IFC Performance Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions.