Alios Finance Cameroon secures $11.7 million IFC investment to expand SME lending

Alios Finance Cameroon, a Douala-based player in vehicle and equipment financing controlled by Ivorian businessman Serge-Aimé Bilé, has secured an investment of up to $11.7 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, to expand leasing services and lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including women-owned businesses.

According to the IFC’s Summary of Investment Information, disclosed on October 14, 2026, the investment will anchor a bond issuance of up to XAF 13.2 billion ($23.3 million) by Societe Camerounaise de Credit Automobile, which operates under the Alios Finance Cameroon brand.

Women-owned businesses to receive at least 15% of proceeds

The five-year senior unsecured notes will feature equal semi-annual principal repayments. IFC’s investment is intended to provide medium-term financing for the expansion of Alios Finance’s leasing portfolio and lending to smaller businesses.

At least 15% of the bond proceeds will be earmarked for women-owned MSMEs, a priority segment under the IFC’s MSME Finance Platform. The project will be supported by a pooled first-loss guarantee of up to $40 million provided through the International Development Association’s Private Sector Window Blended Finance Facility. 

It will also benefit from a cross-currency swap through the IDA Private Sector Window Local Currency Facility. These arrangements are designed to mitigate financing risks and make lending to smaller businesses more viable in Cameroon’s challenging operating environment.

IFC targets wider access to business financing

The IFC expects the investment to improve access to quality financing for MSMEs and women-owned businesses in Cameroon while helping deepen regional capital markets.

The financing is also intended to reduce Alios Finance’s reliance on short-term loans from local banks by providing longer-term funding for its leasing operations.

Alios Finance serves businesses across sectors including transportation, food and beverages, manufacturing, consumer goods, construction, real estate, agriculture, and wholesale and retail trade.

Beyond the investment, IFC will provide advisory support to strengthen the company’s risk management framework, credit underwriting, asset-liability management, digitalisation and human resource capacity. The programme will also help improve its ability to serve MSMEs and strengthen gender reporting.

Credit d’Afrique Groupe retains majority ownership

Credit d’Afrique Groupe (CREDAF) holds a 70.6% stake in Alios Finance, making it the company’s majority shareholder. The lender is headquartered in Douala, Cameroon.

The IFC classified the project as FI-2, indicating that its environmental and social risks are considered limited and manageable through mitigation measures.

As part of the investment, Alios Finance will be required to appoint an environmental and social officer, develop and implement an environmental and social management system, train staff, strengthen human resource policies and improve life and fire safety procedures.

The investment forms part of IFC’s broader effort to expand access to finance for smaller businesses across African markets, where limited access to affordable, medium-term credit remains a constraint on private-sector growth.