PowerGen partners with Oikocredit and others to connect 55,000 people to electricity in rural Nigeria
22 July | 2021 The electricity will be provided by 28 distributed renewable energy (DRE) systems, designed as solar PV and battery-powered mini-grids. full storyPowerGen partners with Oikocredit and others to connect 55,000 people to electricity in rural Nigeria
22 July | 2021 PowerGen, the leading developer in Africa of on-grid and off-grid distributed energy, has secured long term project financing to connect 55,000 people to electricity in rural Nigeria from ... full story
Oikocredit makes interim changes to its Managing Board
20 July | 2021 Oikocredit will make two interim changes to its Managing Board while the cooperative continues its search for a new Managing Director. full storyOikocredit’s new investment in Unaitas will support farmer cooperatives in Kenya
15 July | 2021 Oikocredit is providing a new loan to Unaitas, the fastest growing savings cooperative in Kenya with over 378,000 members. full storyOikocredit appoints new Regional Equity Managers
08 July | 2021 Oikocredit has appointed two new Equity Managers, Valeria Gelsi and Sébastien Rigaud, with responsibility respectively for Latin America and Africa full storyOikocredit appoints new Regional Equity Managers for Latin America and Africa
08 July | 2021 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has appointed two new Equity Managers, Valeria Gelsi and Sébastien Rigaud, with responsibility ... full story
A better life in the cooperative
02 July | 2021 On the International Day of Cooperatives (#CoopsDay), 3 July, international cooperative and social impact investor Oikocredit is celebrating the principles of solidarity, cooperation and community – and its work with cooperatives worldwide. full storyOikocredit is ready for the future [interview]
28 June | 2021 With Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, leaving later this year, we wanted to sit down with him to discuss his time at Oikocredit. We also recently held our Annual General Meeting, making this a good time to reflect on what Oikocredit was like when Thos first started, where the cooperative is today, where it’s headed and how the current and new strategy are connected to it all. full storyOikocredit invests in Fin’Elle to support women entrepreneurs in Côte d'Ivoire
24 June | 2021 Oikocredit’s loan to Fin’Elle will help provide microfinance and mesofinance loans to 10,000 households in Côte d'Ivoire. full storyOikocredit invests € 2.3 million in Fin’Elle to support women entrepreneurs in Côte d'Ivoire
24 June | 2021 Oikocredit’s loan to Fin’Elle will help provide microfinance and mesofinance loans to 10,000 households in Côte d'Ivoire full story
Looking for our new Managing Director
23 June | 2021 Oikocredit is looking for an inspirational and visionary Managing Director to lead our impact into the future. full storySpecialty coffee making an impact
16 June | 2021 Oikocredit partner Caravela Coffee is driven by two things: promoting delicious specialty coffee and supporting low-income communities in Latin America. The combination of these two elements has resulted in the support of 4,000 smallholder coffee farmers and a tastier market. full storyOikocredit holds 45th annual general meeting
14 June | 2021 Last week Oikocredit held its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, with members and others participating through a web-based conferencing and electronic voting system. full storyOikocredit invests in Grace and Mercy to expand lending to women in rural communities across Nigeria
10 June | 2021 This is Oikocredit’s first loan to Grace and Mercy Households Improvement Initiative, a Nigerian microfinance institution (MFI) supporting marginalised and economically disadvantaged people. full storyOikocredit invests USD 2.5 million in Grace and Mercy to expand lending to women in rural communities across Nigeria
10 June | 2021 This is Oikocredit’s first loan to Grace and Mercy Households Improvement Initiative.The investment will support low-income communities, especially women entrepreneurs, across Nigeria full story
Oikocredit invests in FCMB Limited to support low-income communities in Nigeria
03 June | 2021 This is Oikocredit’s first investment in First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited – a bank that focuses on poverty alleviation, empowerment and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. full storyOikocredit invests USD 10 million in FCMB Limited to support Nigerian SMEs and agricultural enterprises
03 June | 2021 This is Oikocredit’s first investment in the bank, which aims to support low-income communities by increasing its lending to SMEs and agricultural enterprises during the Covid-19 pandemic. full story
Stichting Oikocredit International Share Foundation ceases its offering in the UK and the Republic of Ireland
02 June | 2021 Stichting Oikocredit International Share Foundation (OISF) has ceased offering depository receipts in the UK and the Republic of Ireland effective 2 June 2021. This means that investors in the UK ... full story
Building resiliency among partners [blog]
31 May | 2021 Many of our partner organisations in Southeast Asia have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, but they are learning how to become more resilient. This blog by Tes Pilapil, Oikocredit’s Regional Director of Southeast Asia, shares about how our partners are practicing solidarity and strengthening their organisations via Oikocredit’s digital webinars. full storyOikocredit invests in cashew cooperative, supporting nearly 5,000 farmers in Côte d'Ivoire
27 May | 2021 Cashew cooperative Cavica received its first international loan of EUR1.5 million from Oikocredit. The loan will support the work of 4,900 farmers in the northern rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire. full storyOikocredit invests € 1.5 million in Cavica to support smallholder cashew producers
27 May | 2021 This is the cashew cooperative’s first international loan, which will support the work of 4,900 farmers in the northern rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire full story
Q1 2021 quarterly report: Steady recovery
25 May | 2021 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 2021. full storyCarmiña’s story: Building a family business
14 May | 2021 We meet with Carmiña López who we also highlight in our Annual Report 2020. Carmiña is an entrepreneur with a family business that has grown with funding from Cooprogreso, one of our financial inclusion partners in Ecuador. full storyProtecting smallholder farmers and building resilience [interview part 2]
03 May | 2021 To protect food security and combat rural poverty, Oikocredit joined the Smallholder Safety Net Upscaling Programme (SSNUP). In the second part of this interview, Ging Ledesma, Director of Social Performance and Innovation at Oikocredit, shares about how Oikocredit is contributing to SSNUP with weather index insurance and the price risk management programme. full storyProtecting smallholder farmers and building resilience [interview part 1]
03 May | 2021 As the agriculture sector and food security are threatened, low-income communities suffer. Ging Ledesma, Director of Social Performance and Innovation at Oikocredit, shares about these issues and how Oikocredit and others are responding with the Smallholder Safety Net Upscaling Programme (SSNUP). full storyResilience, solidarity, loyalty: Oikocredit publishes its Annual Report 2020
15 April | 2021 Today Oikocredit published its Annual Report 2020. While effects of Covid-19 had implications for Oikocredit’s income, assets and portfolio, business continuity is secure – thanks to investors’ loyalty. full storyMaanaveeya awarded silver medal for ‘Investing in People’
12 April | 2021 Maanaveeya, Oikocredit’s subsidiary in India, recently won SKOCH Group’s Environment and Sustainability silver medal and Order of Merit certificate for its work of ‘Investing in people’ in India. full story
Fintech Avanti Finance raises US$ 26 million in Series A funding round led by Oikocredit and others
08 April | 2021 Social impact investor Oikocredit’s investment in Avanti Finance will help accelerate credit and other financial products to 100 million unserved and underserved households in India. full storyManaging Board Change at Oikocredit
08 April | 2021 Petra Lens, Director of People & Change, has decided to leave Oikocredit for personal reasons to pursue a career change. She will continue in her position until 1 September. full storyFintech Avanti Finance raises US$ 26 million in Series A funding round led by Oikocredit and others
08 April | 2021 Social impact investor Oikocredit’s investment in Avanti Finance will help accelerate credit and other financial products to 100 million unserved and underserved households in India. full story
Interview: Swift action safeguarded results
06 April | 2021 Oikocredit is getting ready to publish its Annual Report 2020, so we sat down with Mirjam ‘t Lam, Director of Finance & Risk at Oikocredit. In the interview, Mirjam gives us an overview of the cooperative’s financial results and shares about joining Oikocredit in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic. full storyOikocredit invests in Banco Caribe to promote sustainable development of SMEs in Dominican Republic
01 April | 2021 The worldwide cooperative’s investment is the first international private subordinate loan that Banco Caribe has obtained. full story
Oikocredit invests in Banco Caribe to promote sustainable development of SMEs in Dominican Republic
01 April | 2021 Oikocredit’s investment of RD$150 million (USD 2.64 million) in Banco Caribe is the first international private subordinate loan that the Dominican Republic-based bank has obtained. full storyFinancial results for 2020 reflect resilience and solidarity
30 March | 2021 Today Oikocredit announced its 2020 financial results. While effects of Covid-19 had implications for Oikocredit’s income, assets and portfolio, business continuity is secure – thanks to investors’ loyalty. full storyQ4 2020 quarterly report: Proving our resilience
30 March | 2021 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 2020. full storyOikocredit’s annual results reflect resilience and solidarity
30 March | 2021 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit today published its annual results for 2020. While the effects of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic had implications for the cooperative’s income, assets and portfolio, business continuity is secure thanks to the loyalty of its investors. full story
‘I’m not frightened anymore’: supporting women’s empowerment
16 March | 2021 In honour of International Women’s Day, we had Christina (Nina) Alff, from Oikocredit Support Association Baden-Württemberg, share her thoughts on “women’s empowerment” in this blog. Nina spends a lot of her time and expertise raising awareness on gender equality and shares about how this topic relates to Oikocredit’s work. full storyChange to Oikocredit’s Managing Board
15 March | 2021 Thos Gieskes, Managing Director, will be leaving Oikocredit, having announced that he will explore new opportunities. Thos will continue to work for the cooperative until 1 October. full storyThe eyes of Oikocredit
10 March | 2021 They have visited 184 partner organisations and met 800 people worldwide for Oikocredit International, more than any Oikocredit staff member. Dutch photographer couple, Pauline and Wim Opmeer, are the eyes of Oikocredit. full storyOikocredit’s women that empower women
08 March | 2021 Today is International Women's Day! Gender equality is an important aspect of Oikocredit’s vision of a global, just society where all people are empowered with the choices they need to create a life of dignity. full storyDreaming of coffee trees
22 February | 2021 The harvest promises to be good for coffee farmers who are members of the Chajul cooperative in Guatemala. Asociación Chajulense Va’l Vaq Quyol (Chajul) has organic and Fairtrade certifications and is always there when members need support. Chajul is one of Oikocredit's oldest partner organisations, and a good example of solidarity and sustainability. full storyWake up and smell the coffee
04 February | 2021 Price volatility ranks alongside climate change as one of the most significant risks faced by smallholder coffee farmers in Latin America. Through an Oikocredit-led capacity building programme, smallholder farmer associations have been able to strengthen their price risk management (PRM) skills. full storyMeet our Côte d'Ivoire SME entrepreneurs
21 January | 2021 Oikocredit supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the financing of SME lending partners. Here we invite you to take a closer look at our work, through two of our partners and their Côte d'Ivoire SME loan customers: Jean Koffi and Felix Kanga Yao. full storyCooperative conversations: with Peter Ohligschläger of the Members’ Council
12 January | 2021 We recently had a conversation with Peter Ohligschläger from Oikocredit’s West German Support Association, and one of the latest members of our Members’ Council (MC). He talks about what it means to be a members’ council, cooperative values such as hearing the voice of the members, and about his hopes for the MC and Oikocredit. full storyThis testing year has proved Oikocredit’s resilience, our partners’ courage and our investors’ trust
04 January | 2021 Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, reflects on one of the most challenging years in our cooperative’s history and considers what 2021 may bring. full storyInterview: How Oikocredit supports small-scale cocoa producers in West Africa
23 December | 2020 Cocoa farming is a key source of livelihoods in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. We interviewed Yves Komaclo, Oikocredit’s Investment Manager for West Africa, to catch up on Oikocredit’s support for the cocoa sector. full story€ 7 million to support smallholder cocoa producers in Côte d’Ivoire
17 December | 2020 Oikocredit’s recent new loans will help with exporting the 2020-21 cocoa production for up to 35,000 smallholder farmers. full storyOikocredit invests € 7 million to support smallholder cocoa producers in Côte d’Ivoire
17 December | 2020 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor Oikocredit has provided loans to two cocoa cooperatives and one exporter in Côte d’Ivoire. The three credit lines will help export the 2020-21 cocoa production for up to 35,000 smallholder farmers. full story
Flowers and meal deliveries: how Indians on low incomes use loans to grow
15 December | 2020 Vaishadi Rahul Hingmire and Asha Ashok Bhoite are business owners and clients of Indian credit cooperative Annapurna Mahila Coop Credit Society. We look at how the two women have used loans for the benefit of their businesses and the people around them. full storyOikocredit expands its commitment to Mexican SMEs with investment in Aspiria
08 December | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has acquired a minority stake in Aspiria, an online SME lender in Mexico full story
Oikocredit expands its commitment to Mexican SMEs with investment in Aspiria
04 December | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has acquired a minority stake in Aspiria, an online SME lender in Mexico full storyWhy are SMEs important to Oikocredit?
25 November | 2020 Hans Perk, Oikocredit’s Regional Director Africa and Global Agricultural Sector Specialist, talks here about the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and how Oikocredit supports them. full storyCall for Supervisory Board applications
23 November | 2020 Oikocredit is seeking skilled and experienced individuals to be appointed to its Supervisory Board during its annual general meeting to be held in June 2021. full storyCooperative conversations: with Anita Clemons of the Members’ Council
18 November | 2020 We recently had a conversation with Anita Clemons from the Presbyterian Foundation, one of the latest members of the Oikocredit Members’ Council (MC). She talks about what it means to be a members’ council, cooperative values such as transparency, about her hopes for the MC and the Oikocredit cooperative. full storyQ3 quarterly report: Maintaining stability
12 November | 2020 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 2020. full storyMirjam ‘t Lam joins Oikocredit as Director of Finance & Risk
09 November | 2020 Mirjam ‘t Lam is joining social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit as Director of Finance & Risk, effective 16 November 2020. She joins Oikocredit from African investment company... full storyMirjam ‘t Lam joins Oikocredit as Director of Finance & Risk
09 November | 2020 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Mirjam ‘t Lam is joining social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit as Director of Finance & Risk, effective 16 November 2020. She joins Oikocredit ... full story
Celebrating 45 years of Oikocredit [video]
04 November | 2020 Today, Oikocredit celebrates its 45th anniversary of a mission to invest in people on low incomes around the world. full storyDoes your investment portfolio have “the quan”?
02 November | 2020 Eduard Walkers, Oikocredit Regional Director Latin America and Caribbean, looks at what is needed for sustainable development finance and takes inspiration from an unusual source: the film Jerry Maguire. He proposes a “quan” scale of investment levels and asks: does your investment portfolio have the quan? full storyOikocredit invests in Brazilian fintech BizCapital as part of a USD 15 million funding round
27 October | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has acquired a minority stake in BizCapital, a leading online SME lender in Brazil full storyOikocredit invests in Brazilian fintech BizCapital as part of a USD 15 million funding round
27 October | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has acquired a minority stake in BizCapital, a leading online SME lender in Brazil full story
How Oikocredit is supporting smallholder farmers through the pandemic [video]
14 October | 2020 In this short video you will see how with the help of our partner (Unocace) the Oikocredit solidarity fund is supporting cocoa farmers thorough the pandemic, and our partners are showered with gratitude and blessings. full storyOikocredit, Karongi and Muganza Kivu Tea Factories to produce two million high-quality tea seedlings in Rwanda
06 October | 2020 Most of the funding for this project comes from investors from Oikocredit’s West German Support Association, showing yet again how close smallholder farmers are to Oikocredit investors’ hearts. full storyOikocredit, Karongi and Muganza Kivu Tea Factories to produce two million high-quality tea seedlings in Rwanda
06 October | 2020 Most of the funding for this project comes from investors from Oikocredit’s West German Support Association, showing yet again how close smallholder farmers are to Oikocredit investors’ hearts. full story
A stitch in time [video]
25 September | 2020 Through partners like U&I Microfinance Bank, Oikocredit’s coronavirus solidarity fund is reaching those who most need it. Like Loice Nyambura, the owner of a small tailoring business in Nairobi, Kenya. full storyBehind the Impact Report 2020 [interview]
15 September | 2020 We interviewed Kawien Ziedses des Plantes, Oikocredit’s Global Social Performance Specialist, to find out what’s behind the recently published Impact Report 2020. After 45 years, we still see Oikocredit’s sharp focus on end-clients and its determined drive for continuous improvement. full storyOikocredit launches its Impact Report 2020
08 September | 2020 Oikocredit’s Impact Report is now live and ready for downloading. Our latest report showcases our social impact data from across all Oikocredit’s activities. full story[BLOG] Covid-19: a driving force for digital financial inclusion
04 September | 2020 By Vincent van Dugteren, Global Financial Inclusion Sector Specialist full storyGroup lending: Cristiane and Helena show how it works
27 August | 2020 A woman finds herself in crisis and is supported by another making a success of her business. In this story of solidarity amongst women you can discover how group lending works, and through our Brazilian partner BPCS, how Oikocredit serves hard to reach people. full story
Q2 quarterly report: Responding with resilience
20 August | 2020 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 2020. full storyHow does Covid-19 affect our social performance and innovation work? [video]
14 August | 2020 We interviewed Ging Ledesma, Oikocredit’s Director of Social Performance Innovation, to find out how the Covid-19 pandemic affects our social performance and innovation work. full storySPTF and CERISE take over Smart Campaign implementation resources
05 August | 2020 After a decade of successful work in advancing principles for client protection, the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) announced that the Smart Campaign would come to an end. The implementation... full storyHow does Covid-19 impact on our investment operations? [video]
04 August | 2020 We interviewed Bart van Eyk, Oikocredit’s Director of Investments to find out how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting our investment operations. full storyLaunch of CEO Forum for Oikocredit Partners in Africa
28 July | 2020 CEOs with a dedication to continuous improvement, a passion for people and an appreciation of the extraordinary challenges of our time, came together online last week to launch Oikocredit’s forum for CEOs in Africa. The launch of this programme comes at a time when it is becoming evident that the situation brought on by Covid-19 is not something that will be resolved in a matter of a few months. full storyTHE WATER MAN – part 2 of 2
27 July | 2020 Written by Elikanah Ng'ang'a, Social Performance & Capacity Building Officer - Oikocredit AfricaThe Water Man story tells of one man’s determination to bend the Covid-19 curve, and provides lessons for Oikocredit partners, staff and investors. In this second part of his blog, Elikanah shares examples of what our partners are doing to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on their end-clients. full story
Oikocredit invests USD 5 million in M-KOPA to support growth of solar energy in Africa
21 July | 2020 With this loan, M-KOPA is able to provide electricity and mobile connections to 10,000 households in Africa full storyOikocredit invests USD 5 million in M-KOPA to support growth of solar energy in Africa
21 July | 2020 With this loan, M-KOPA is able to provide electricity and mobile connections to 10,000 households in Africa full story
Blog: Could microfinance help prevent a health crisis from becoming an even greater food crisis?
16 July | 2020 The United Nations (UN) recently published a report estimating that 130 million more people may face chronic hunger in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. full storySolidarity: the strength of our network
01 July | 2020 In this interview we catch up with our Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, and our Director of Finance & Risk, Laura Pool, to reflect on the June annual general meeting (AGM). They talk about the decision to not pay a dividend for 2019, how Oikocredit supports its partners during the pandemic, and more. full storyLessening the Covid-19 impact today makes a big difference for the future [Interview]
30 June | 2020 There has been huge interest from Oikocredit’s members and investors to know more about Oikocredit’s coronavirus solidarity fund. Here we interview Andrea Domínguez, Oikocredit’s Global Capacity Building Specialist, and find out more about the fund and how it might develop. full storyTHE WATER MAN – part 1 of 2
18 June | 2020 Written by Elikanah Ng'ang'a, Social Performance & Capacity Building Officer - Oikocredit AfricaThe Water Man story tells of one man’s determination to bend the Covid-19 curve, and provides lessons for Oikocredit partners, staff and investors. In this first part of his blog, Elikanah writes about how the Water Man inspired him and other Oikocredit staff in the Oikocredit office in Kenya. full story
Oikocredit exits its investment in Fairtrade chocolate company Divine Chocolate
17 June | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has supported Divine since 2006 as it expanded its footprint from the United Kingdom to the USA full storyOikocredit exits its investment in Fairtrade chocolate company Divine Chocolate
17 June | 2020 Social impact investor Oikocredit has supported Divine since 2006 as it expanded its footprint from the United Kingdom to the USA full story
Oikocredit holds annual general meeting, members decide on dividend
15 June | 2020 Last week the cooperative’s 44th annual general meeting (AGM) was held in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, with members and others participating through a web-based conferencing and electronic voting system. full storyMFIs Covid-19 awareness training
09 June | 2020 Oikocredit is supporting its partners during the pandemic with several initiatives. Maanaveeya, Oikocredit’s subsidiary in India, worked with MicroSave Consulting who developed a pamphlet to promote awareness of Covid-19 for microfinance institutions (MFI) full storyVideo tour of Oikocredit’s work in Ghana
08 June | 2020 A short video is now available to provide you with insight on the work of Oikocredit in Ghana. At a time of social distancing and with few people traveling, it is useful to remind ourselves of how useful our investors find these tours. full storyWith Renewable Energy: an Interview with David ten Kroode
28 May | 2020 In mid-2014 Oikocredit welcomed renewable energy (RE) financing expert, David ten Kroode, to build up and manage what was then a new sector for Oikocredit: financing RE projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We spoke with David, now RE Manager at Oikocredit, about the developments of the past five years and what the future may bring. full storyQuarterly report: Withstanding the crisis
25 May | 2020 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. full story
Learning from Leaders: a Cup of Coffee with Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe
11 May | 2020 Challenging situations like the coronavirus require new thinking on many levels. Learning from Leaders, a Cup of Coffee with... is a new series of online encounters launched by Oikocredit International. full storyThe main thing is sustainability [interview]
08 May | 2020 Aldo Risco Mejia is responsible for agriculture investments in northern South America at our Oikocredit office in Lima. We spoke with him about his practical experience of fair trade. full storyOikocredit revised its dividend proposal for 2019 from 1% to 0%.
06 May | 2020 Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has revised its dividend proposal for 2019 from 1% to 0%. full story
Oikocredit revises dividend proposal
06 May | 2020 Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit has revised its dividend proposal for 2019 from 1% to 0%. full story
Oikocredit foundation creates coronavirus solidarity fund
05 May | 2020 With more government measures in place to combat the spread of Covid-19, many small business in Africa, Asia and Latin America are struggling to find the means to comply with regulations. To support these businesses, Oikocredit’s foundation has launched a coronavirus solidarity fund. full storyChange to Oikocredit’s Managing Board
04 May | 2020 Laura Pool, Director of Finance & Risk, has decided to leave Oikocredit for personal reasons to pursue a career change. She will continue in her position until the end of the year. full storyOikocredit and other impact investors agree coronavirus coordination principles
01 May | 2020 Leading microfinance and impact fund managers have signed an MoU for debt refinancing coordination principles, to support the sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. full storyCoffee, Cocoa, and the Coronavirus [Interview]
28 April | 2020 We spoke with Hans Perk, Regional Director Africa and Global Agricultural Sector Specialist, about what is working and what is not in the coffee and cocoa supply chains. How can we better make these supply chains work for the poor and vulnerable post Covid-19? full storyImpact investors jointly commit to supporting low-income communities in Covid-19 crisis
14 April | 2020 Together with other members of the Dutch Platform for Inclusive Finance (NpM) Oikocredit signed the Covid-19 Investor Statement, which has been issued by impact investors in emerging markets. full storySocial impact in the pandemic: how Oikocredit is helping partners fight back [blog]
09 April | 2020 As the coronavirus crisis continues to spread across the globe, Ging Ledesma, Oikocredit’s Director of Social Performance Innovation, is helping lead Oikocredit’s rapid response to the evolving needs of our partners, going beyond the financial support we offer them. Here Ging shares the steps Oikocredit has already taken to support our partners at this critical moment, and why innovation and community are crucial in these extremely challenging times. full storyNomination for appointment to the Supervisory Board
09 April | 2020 Joseph Patterson has been nominated as candidate for appointment to the Supervisory Board of Oikocredit International by the Supervisory Board, to be voted on at the General Meeting of members in June. full storyProtecting organisations against coronavirus scams – tips for partners
08 April | 2020 Criminals are seeking to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic, exploiting the pandemic to trick businesses via fake invoices, phishing emails and phone calls. full storyIt's not just about growth [interview]
06 April | 2020 Laura Pool, Director of Finance & Risk says: “It's not only about growth in the portfolio, but the quality.” In this interview she provides her insights into the financial results, reflects on Oikocredit’s development as an organisation, and talks about how these results and developments will help Oikocredit face the ongoing coronavirus crisis. full storyIndian Oikocredit subsidiary supports government relief fund for coronavirus
06 April | 2020 Maanaveeya, Oikocredit’s subsidiary in India, has donated two million Indian Rupees (approximately € 24,000) to the Telangana Chief Minister’s Relief Fund on 31 March 2020 to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19). full storyProtecting yourself against coronavirus scams – tips for investors
03 April | 2020 Criminals are seeking to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic, exploiting the pandemic to trick people into sharing personal or financial information via phishing emails and phone calls. full storyOikocredit publishes its annual report for 2019
02 April | 2020 Today we published our annual report which informs investors and other stakeholders about our financial performance from the past year. full storyMessage from the Managing Director: “Working together through uncertain times”
26 March | 2020 Thos Gieskes, Managing Director of Oikocredit, has the following message for Oikocredit’s stakeholders. full storyOikocredit announces 2019 results and partner satisfaction [press release]
19 March | 2020 Today Oikocredit announced its annual results for 2019. The results reveal an improved financial performance and steady growth in the cooperative’s development finance portfolio. full storyOikocredit reports positive results and partner satisfaction
19 March | 2020 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit today published its annual results for 2019. The cooperative has made good headway in streamlining its business model, maintained investor confidence and received positive feedback from the organisations it finances. full story
Oikocredit and the novel coronavirus (Covid-19)
13 March | 2020 As the coronavirus pandemic develops, there is increasing uncertainty about its consequences. We’re seeing lives and livelihoods affected across the world, in both economically rich and poor countries. full story€ 1 million investment in ACE clean cooking
12 March | 2020 Oikocredit has made a € 1 million loan to African Clean Energy (ACE), a Certified B Corporation and social enterprise, to support the expansion of business operations in Uganda. full storyOikocredit invests € 1 million in African Clean Energy (ACE) to support clean cooking and rural electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa
12 March | 2020 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor Oikocredit has made a € 1 million convertible loan to African Clean Energy, a Certified B Corporation and social enterprise, to support the expansion of business operations in Uganda. full story
No development without risk [interview]
10 March | 2020 After being a shareholder for five years, Oikocredit recently exited from the Zambian aquaculture company Yalelo. We spoke to Albert Hofsink, non-executive member of Yalelo’s board of directors, and Evert Ludding, Oikocredit’s Equity Manager. full storyOn the trail of cocoa
19 February | 2020 In west Ghana, Oikocredit’s recent study tour accompanies the cocoa farmer Paul Bukuroh Appiah to a place where chocolate has its origins. Corinna Groß, PR Officer at Oikocredit’s support association Baden-Württemberg in Germany, shares her journey with us. She brings the tour to life and sees first-hand how Oikocredit’s partner Fedco makes life a little better for the people in the small village of Pieso. full storyFair is when all benefit
04 February | 2020 Once a year, Oikocredit brings together a partner and investors in its annual road show. This time around, it was the turn of Athanas Matheka, co-founder of Greenforest Foods Limited in Kenya. full storyVolunteers and staff meet our partners in Ghana
27 January | 2020 A group of Oikocredit volunteers and staff have travelled from Europe and North America to Ghana for our 2020 study tour, taking place this week. Participants will visit financial inclusion partner organisations and end-clients, as well as a renewable energy partner. There will also be a visit to one of Oikocredit's cocoa partners. full storyMost read: our six biggest stories in 2019
21 January | 2020 We look back at the partner stories and announcements that were most popular on our website last year. full storyLooking back on a year’s journey and forward to 2020
07 January | 2020 Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, looks back on Oikocredit’s journey in 2019 and forward to the new year 2020. full storyMerry Christmas and Happy New Year
23 December | 2019 The Christmas holidays are drawing closer, and we can look back on an eventful year 2019. We want to thank you for your successful cooperation. Together we were able to push sustainable ... full storyOikocredit exits Zambian fish farm Yalelo
10 December | 2019 Oikocredit has exited its investment in the Zambian fish farm Yalelo Limited, after investing since 2014 and supporting its production growth from under 2,000 tonnes of tilapia fish in 2014 to 12,000 tonnes today. Yalelo is the largest sustainable aquaculture company in Africa. full storyOikocredit exits its investment in Zambian fish farm Yalelo
10 December | 2019 Social impact investor Oikocredit has supported Yalelo since 2014 as it became Africa’s largest sustainable aquaculture company. full story
Fraudulent app alert
05 December | 2019 Oikocredit would like to alert its partners, investors and the general public of the following fraudulent app: OikoCredit Loans full storyTea: good prospects from great heights
03 December | 2019 Private and public stakeholders in the Rwandan tea sector join forces to empower rural farmers – helped with finance from Oikocredit. That’s just my cup of tea. full storyMusoni: putting low-income clients first in the digital age
19 November | 2019 The digital revolution is expanding the range and delivery of financial services to those traditionally overlooked by banks, with electronic money models and new digital payment platforms. We look at the work of Oikocredit partner Musoni Kenya Microfinance, a pioneer in the provision of digital financial services, and how its cooperation with Oikocredit in client protection principles helps it to serve low-income clients when digital services are provided. full storySocial performance: "Choosing a partner is just the beginning"
08 November | 2019 The desire to achieve a positive social impact is the reason why people invest in Oikocredit. How does this goal become reality? We spoke to Oikocredit’s social performance team, Ging Ledesma, Kawien Ziedses des Plantes and Yolirruth Nuñez, about capacity building, trust, monitoring, the cooperative’s DNA and its successes. full storyLet’s give SMEs the recognition they deserve, in Mexico and all around the world
29 October | 2019 Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of job creation and retention, all around the world. Yet so many SMEs do not have access to the finance they need. We invite you to watch a short video from Oikocredit’s office in Mexico to see why Oikocredit supports SMEs. full story
Greenforest begins our European road show
09 October | 2019 Yesterday evening in Hamburg Oikocredit’s partner Greenforest, a leading Kenyan honey brand, began our annual road show, bringing our partner and investors together. full storyOikocredit invests in Ugandan tea processor Kayonza
01 October | 2019 Solidaridad helped community enterprise Kayonza Growers Tea Factory secure a USD 3.15 million loan from Oikocredit, for the benefit of Kayonza's 7,500 smallholder farmers. full storyUgandan tea processor secures USD 3.15 million investment
01 October | 2019 Utrecht/Amersfoort, the Netherlands - Solidaridad has facilitated USD 3.15 million of financing for Ugandan tea processor Kayonza Tea Factory in the form of a long-term loan from social impact ... full story
Colombian fintech Sempli raises USD 8 million in Series A round led by Oikocredit and Incofin CVSO
24 September | 2019 Leading online lender for Colombian small businesses Sempli reaches USD 24 million in fundraising after 2.5 years of operations full story
Oikocredit increases investment in Colombian fintech Sempli
24 September | 2019 Oikocredit has teamed with Incofin to lead a round raising USD 8 million of investment in fintech partner Sempli, to help grow thousands more small businesses in Colombia. full storyInterview: Oikocredit’s latest Impact Report
17 September | 2019 We interviewed Ging Ledesma, Oikocredit’s Director of Social Performance Innovation, to get behind some of the numbers from Oikocredit’s Impact Report 2019, and revisit fundamental questions about social impact. full storyOikocredit launches Impact Report 2019
10 September | 2019 Oikocredit’s Impact Report is now live and ready for download. The new publication replaces the Social and Environmental Performance Report and showcases data from across Oikocredit’s activities. full storyOikocredit signs KES 1 billion equity investment in Credit Bank
29 August | 2019 UPDATE: The deal was not pursued further as of late 2019.
Nairobi, Kenya – Credit Bank PLC has signed a KES 1 billion equity investment with social impact investor Oikocredit today. The investment, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will see Oikocredit take a minority stake in Credit Bank full story
Nairobi, Kenya – Credit Bank PLC has signed a KES 1 billion equity investment with social impact investor Oikocredit today. The investment, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will see Oikocredit take a minority stake in Credit Bank full story
Boosting efforts across focus sectors and strengthening partners
31 July | 2019 As we head into the second half of the year, Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, brings us up to date on the cooperative’s latest developments. He explains how we are boosting efforts in our focus sectors and going beyond finance to broaden the ways in which we support our partners, aiming to strengthen their businesses and their networks.The interview also highlights this year’s annual general meeting (AGM) held in June and offers some insight into our upcoming Impact Report to be published in September. full story
Interview: Providing affordable housing loans for low and middle-income families in Cambodia
24 July | 2019 Sothany Chun is the CEO of Oikocredit partner First Finance plc, a financial institution which provides housing and home-improvement loans to people on low and middle-incomes in Cambodia. Oikocredit’s Support Association in the Netherlands recently met with her to discuss her background, work and how First Finance is helping to improve lives by increasing access to home ownership. full storyJessy’s Story: A Taste of Success in Zambia
10 July | 2019 “I am passionate about cooking and I taught myself how to cook. I also teach my staff. I buy local products and have a farmer who grows certain ingredients especially for me,” says Jessy Chipindo, restaurant owner and client of Oikocredit partner Entrepreneurs Financial Centre Zambia. full storyOikocredit annual general meeting votes on dividend and supervisory board
21 June | 2019 From 17 to 20 June 2019 delegates from Oikocredit member organisations and Oikocredit staff gathered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, for the annual general meeting (AGM) week. full storyBridging the Gender Gap…. At Home
13 June | 2019 Not so long ago, Ka Oting Villanueva, like many men in the central Philippines province of Negros Occidental, regarded a husband’s role as simply that of a provider. “He never used to help me with any of the household chores,” says his wife. “In fact, I don’t think it ever crossed his mind!” full storyHow do coffee cooperatives support smallholder coffee farmers in Peru?
29 May | 2019 Two billion cups of coffee served every day. 200 billion US dollars in sales every year. So why are some farmers happy when none of their children wish to follow them into the coffee-growing business? full storyEquity investment to foster sustainable coffee trading
22 May | 2019 Oikocredit has announced a US$ 4.7 million investment in Caravela Coffee, a Latin American responsible specialty coffee trader. full storyOikocredit invests in Latin American responsible specialty coffee trader Caravela
22 May | 2019 The Netherlands / United Kingdom – Social impact investor Oikocredit has closed a US$ 4.7 million investment in Caravela Coffee, a specialty coffee trader that sources coffee in Latin America using direct trade principles. full story
Oikocredit expands its fintech portfolio in Mexico
02 May | 2019 Oikocredit has invested in Mexican fintech Ku-Bo Financiero to boost access to affordable finance for individuals across Mexico. full storyOikocredit invests in fintech KU-BO FINANCIERO, S.A. DE C.V., S.F.P. (Ku-Bo) to support people in Mexico without access to financial services
02 May | 2019 Amersfoort, the Netherlands / Mexico City, Mexico – Social impact investor Oikocredit has provided financing to Ku-Bo, a Mexican fintech specialised in crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending aimed at individuals within the medium and low socio-economic sector of the population with limited access to credit. full story
Oikocredit and MOCA join forces to strengthen cocoa cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire
16 April | 2019 Oikocredit and the Maximizing Opportunities in Cocoa Activity (MOCA) project have signed a memorandum of understanding to support the sustainable development of smallholder cocoa cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire. full storyIt’s more than just finance [interview]
10 April | 2019 Oikocredit just published its financial results for 2018. For a deeper look at the results and insights on how the cooperative is working towards improving its future results, we interviewed Oikocredit’s Director of Finance & Risk, Laura Pool. In the interview Laura also explains why providing expertise and using the right financial instruments can make all the difference. full storyOikocredit’s portfolio and member capital grow as it implements updated strategy
27 March | 2019 Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor and worldwide cooperative Oikocredit today published its annual results for 2018. Despite 2018 being a year of change for Oikocredit, the cooperative’s net income after taxation improved compared to 2017 with both lendable funds and the development financing portfolio showing growth. full story
Oikocredit publishes its annual report for 2018 along with key financial highlights
27 March | 2019 Today Oikocredit announced its annual results for 2018. The press release explains how despite changes at the organisation and the prevailing low interest rate environment, Oikocredit has managed to grow its development financing portfolio. full storyTechnology is part of the solution
25 March | 2019 Financial technologies – “fintech” for short – are revolutionising the financial industry worldwide. How can technological developments further financial inclusion? What impact is fintech having on Oikocredit and its partners? Oikocredit’s West Germany Support Association spoke to Oikocredit’s Business Development Specialist in Amersfoort, Vincent van Dugteren, to find out. full story
Oikocredit invests in affordable housing finance provider Sitara in India
21 March | 2019 Oikocredit has made an equity investment of INR 670 million in affordable housing finance company Sitara together with Omidyar Network india, HDFC Life Insurance, HDFC Holdings Ltd. and Women’s World Banking to foster inclusion and equality in the Indian home loans sector. full storyEmpowering women in Indonesia through financial inclusion
28 February | 2019 Mimin Among wears a broad smile when talking about how she earns a living making krupuk (Indonesian deep-fried prawn crackers): “We started a small business in 2004 after years of working for other people. We joined the Komida cooperative in 2009 and used our first loan to buy woks which we still use now. The business is doing well and we employ 10 neighbours to help us keep up with demand.” full storyOikocredit appoints Patrick Stutvoet as Director of IT and Operations
27 February | 2019 27 February 2019, Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor Oikocredit has appointed Patrick Stutvoet to the position of Director of IT and Operations, effective 1 March 2019. full story
Patrick Stutvoet becomes Oikocredit’s new Director of IT and Operations
27 February | 2019 Oikocredit is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Stutvoet as Director of IT and Operations, and newest member of the cooperative’s Managing Board, effective 1 March 2019. full storyOikocredit invests USD 3.3 million in Mexican student finance provider Laudex
19 February | 2019 19 February 2019, Mexico City, Mexico / Amersfoort, the Netherlands – Social impact investor Oikocredit has closed an investment of USD 3.3 million in Laudex, a financial inclusion institution ... full story
Oikocredit invests in Laudex to encourage social inclusion in Mexico’s education sector
18 February | 2019 Oikocredit has closed an investment of USD 3.3 million in Laudex, a financial inclusion institution providing loans to students for higher education in Mexico. full storyWith my chickens, I feel free
30 January | 2019 Last month, a group of Oikocredit investors, volunteers and staff spent a week in Peru for the 2018 study tour. One of the partners they visited was financial inclusion organisation ProEmpresa and its end-clients in Lima’s suburbs. Marion Wedegärtner from Oikocredit’s West German Support Association shared her impressions of the trip. full storyReflecting on 2018 and looking forward
29 January | 2019 Oikocredit’s Managing Director, Thos Gieskes, reflects on 2018 and shares what is ahead for the cooperative. full storyStrengthening market access for small-scale farmers in India
17 January | 2019 “Before we worked with Y-Cook we didn’t grow sweet corn, but only flowers and millet. With corn we have fixed prices, which are much better,” says Krishna Muthy, a farmer from the village of Kanekal in India’s Andhra Pradesh state. As a farmer supplier to Oikocredit’s Indian partner Y-Cook, he has seen his corn crop prices and yields improve significantly, providing him with a stable income and a better quality of life for his whole family. full storyOikocredit invests in SolarNow to help bring solar energy to 17,500 customers in Uganda
08 January | 2019 Oikocredit has closed its largest investment yet in off-grid solar company SolarNow, together with SunFunder and responsAbility. full storyBuilding Disaster Resiliency: A Guidebook
12 December | 2018 Disaster resiliency is an important component in Oikocredit’s capacity building work with partners in areas prone to natural disasters. After successfully piloting a disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) programme in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, it has now been extended to partners in other countries like Ecuador. full storyOikocredit’s updated Vision & Strategy published
03 December | 2018 Oikocredit has published its updated Vision & Strategy. The brochure sets out Oikocredit’s strategic direction for the coming years, including the cooperative’s strategic ambitions and the ... full storyCall for Oikocredit Supervisory Board applications
29 November | 2018 Oikocredit is seeking skilled and experienced individuals to stand for election to its Supervisory Board during the next Annual General Meeting in June 2019. full storyA new operating model for Oikocredit [interview]
27 November | 2018 Earlier this year, Oikocredit introduced its updated strategy. Bart van Eyk, Oikocredit’s Director of Investments, shares the latest details of our updated strategy and explains how changes to our regional setup will help us to better serve our partners with the aim of creating an even stronger social impact. full storyInvestors and volunteers visit Oikocredit partners in Peru
26 November | 2018 A group of Oikocredit investors, volunteers and staff will soon be heading to Peru for this year’s study tour, which takes place from 2 to 8 December. Participants will visit a financial inclusion organisation and its end-clients in Lima. In Jaén and San Ignacio, they will visit a fair-trade coffee cooperative and its farmer members. full storyTurning organic waste into energy: how Oikocredit offsets its carbon footprint
20 November | 2018 Offsetting carbon is an important way for Oikocredit to contribute to climate change mitigation and protection of the environment. For almost a year now, Oikocredit has been working with FairClimateFund to offset its carbon footprint. full storyOikocredit invests in cashew processor Anatrans in Burkina Faso
14 November | 2018 Social impact investor Oikocredit has taken a € 2 million stake in Burkinabe cashew processor Anatrans full story
Preserving the future of cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire
13 November | 2018 Nearly half of the world’s chocolate supply is grown in Côte d’Ivoire1, where more than a million smallholder farmers depend on cocoa production for their livelihoods. Cocoa is also vital to the ... full storyWool with a name
05 November | 2018 John Lennon wore Manos del Uruguay, and among its current fans are a number of celebrities and even royalty. All Manos products are signed by the woman who dyed the wool, and each product is handcrafted and therefore unique. full storyOikocredit and BID LAB invest in fintech Sempli to support Colombian SMEs
31 October | 2018 31 October 2018, Bogotá, Colombia – Social impact investor Oikocredit and the Inter-American Development Bank (BID LAB) have closed an investment of USD 5.7 million in Sempli, a Colombian fintech that provides loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). full story
Oikocredit invests in FinTech Sempli to support sustainable growth of SMEs in Colombia
31 October | 2018 Together with the Inter-American Development Bank (BID LAB), Oikocredit has closed an investment of USD 5.7 million in the Colombian FinTech Sempli. full storyOikocredit invests in Kenyan fertiliser plant to raise farmers’ yields and incomes
23 October | 2018 Oikocredit has made an equity investment in Sub Saharan Africa’s first fertiliser granulation and manufacturing plant Fertiplant East Africa. Oikocredit joins the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in funding construction of the plant, which will benefit farmers’ incomes and enhance food security in the region. full storyFinancial results for social impact [interview]
17 October | 2018 As Oikocredit implements its updated strategy, the cooperative continues to work with its members and investors to share the latest developments and progress being made. The worldwide cooperative’s West Germany Support Association recently sat down with Irene van Oostwaard, Director of Finance at Oikocredit, to learn more about current financial topics, as well as Irene's own insights and passion for the organisation. full storyMaking a difference in Mexico: the value of investing in SMEs
10 October | 2018 Financial inclusion is Oikocredit’s largest priority sector. Through Oikocredit’s updated strategy the cooperative aims to deepen its engagement with its microfinance partners while also seeking partners beyond traditional financial institutions. Oikocredit is increasingly aiming to make an impact for the ‘missing middle’ by targeting finance to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) – like it is doing in Mexico. full storyFintech and social impact investing in India [interview]
02 October | 2018 As part of its updated strategy, Oikocredit continues to seek partnerships beyond traditional financial institutions. Partnering with fintech companies that target underserved communities with innovative financial technologies is one way the cooperative is doing this. To learn more about the role of fintech in social impact investing, and more specifically in India, we spoke with Arun Nayyar, the CEO of Oikocredit partner NeoGrowth. full storyOikocredit’s equity investment supports India’s agriculture value chain
01 October | 2018 Oikocredit has made an equity investment in Origo Commodities, a company which provides post-harvest agriculture supply chain financing and logistics solutions across 12 Indian states to over 3,500 clients, including more than 1,400 farmers. full storyOikocredit signs Fair Trade Charter to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals
25 September | 2018 Today, Oikocredit joined more than 250 organisations around the world in launching an International Fair Trade Charter which sets down the fundamental values of Fair Trade and defines a common vision toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). full storyOikocredit invests in Brazilian FinTech Avante to support one million micro-entrepreneurs by 2021
06 September | 2018 Oikocredit welcomes Avante, a Brazilian FinTech that empowers micro-entrepreneurs through financial technology, to its growing FinTech portfolio. full storyOikocredit invests in Brazilian FinTech Avante to support one million micro-entrepreneurs by 2021
06 September | 2018 6 September 2018, Amersfoort, the Netherlands / São Paulo, Brazil – Social impact investor Oikocredit has acquired a stake in Avante, a Brazilian FinTech offering financial services to micro-entrepreneurs at the base of the pyramid. full story
Oikocredit’s first off-grid solar project in Latin America to support 250,000 people
05 September | 2018 Together with Dutch development bank FMO, Oikocredit invested in Kingo, an off-grid energy supplier, to help them expand to rural areas in Guatemala. full storyEquity investment to improve lives in El Salvador
29 August | 2018 “Quitting my job at the factory was a good decision. We make a profit of US$ 300 a week…when I worked in the factory I earned US$ 60 a week.” full storyRising to the coffee challenge: high yields, high quality and environmental sustainability
22 August | 2018 “It’s not easy to grow in a sustainable way”, says Wilson Olivera, President of Peruvian coffee cooperative Central Fronteriza del Norte de Cafetaleros (Cenfrocafe). full storyThe Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance releases ‘State of the Sector’ report
08 August | 2018 Oikocredit is a member of the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance (CSAF), which just published its annual ‘State of the Sector’ report. full storyOikocredit article on home solar and microfinance published on NextBillion
26 July | 2018 NextBillion published Oikocredit’s Renewable Energy Investment Officer, Mark Roesink’s article ‘Home Solar+Microfinance: Mitigating Risks and Maximising Rewards.’ full story