Our private sector subsidiary

Our private sector subsidiary

Proparco : a Private Sector Finance Specialist

AFD and its subsidiary, Proparco (aka Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération économique), support sustainable economic growth in developing countries by offering a wide range of financial instruments and technical assistance to large and small businesses. AFD is Proparco’s majority shareholder, with 59% of its shares.  Proparco was created in 1977 and endowed with €420 million in capital. 

Of all bilateral development banks, AFD and its subsidiary, Proparco, support small and medium-sized businesses with the widest range of traditional and structured financial instruments. These financial instruments include grants; subsidies; guarantees; credit lines; extra-long-term loans; and private equity, as well as the most innovative credit and capital risk underwriting techniques.  In terms of economic and social development, AFD and Proparco’s activities are focused on:

• Supporting economic growth
• Promoting and modernizing financial markets, as well as making them safer
• Enhancing access to health and education
• Protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity
• Bringing local businesses up to international standards
• Participating in the integration of regional economies

Proparco website