CRDB inks 300bn/- partnerships for Africa’s growth
USA: CRDB Bank has signed three landmark partnerships worth 300bn/- with leading global development finance institutions, marking a major step in advancing inclusive and sustainable finance across Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with FinDev Canada, DEG (KfW Group, Germany) and Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) were formalised during the CRDB Bank Investors and Partners Forum, held on the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington DC, US.
The agreements were signed by CRDB Bank Group CEO and Managing Director Abdulmajid Nsekela, alongside partner leaders Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank; Roland Siller, CEO of DEG; and Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada.
Through its partnership with FinDev Canada, CRDB Bank secured a 60 million US dollars (150bn/-) sustainability-linked facility to expand financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), focusing on women-owned businesses and climate-resilient projects.
The investment is expected to increase access to finance for underserved entrepreneurs and boost climate adaptation efforts across the country. With DEG, CRDB Bank will unlock a 50 million US dollars (125bn/-) facility dedicated to SME sub-loans, supporting business growth, innovation and job creation.
The partnership will help strengthen the country’s private sector, a key driver of industrialisation and employment. The third partnership, with Shelter Afrique Development Bank, introduces a 10 million US dollars (25bn/-) facility for CRDB DR-Congo to support affordable housing.
The initiative will help address the region’s housing deficit and promote social equity through access to safe and climate-resilient homes. Mr Nsekela said yesterday during the signing ceremony that through a release that these partnerships reflect their shared vision of an Africa that is financially inclusive, food secure and sustainably developed.
“We believe finance should be a force for good unlocking potential, creating jobs and driving long-term value for communities,” he said.
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The CRDB Chief said by joining hands with institutions like FinDev Canada, DEG and Shelter Afrique, they are accelerating the bank vision to transform lives and develop economies to their fullest potential.
“This is more than capital; it is confidence in Africa’s future,” Mr Nsekela said.
The high-level forum brought together global investors and senior government officials from Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, Permanent Secretary Treasury from Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance, who served as guest of honour.
Also attending were the Minister for Finance of Burundi, the Minister for Information of the DRC, Governors of the Central Banks of Tanzania and Burundi and Ambassadors of Tanzania and Burundi to the US. CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, said they believe that affordable housing and urban infrastructure are the foundation of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
“Together, we are not only financing homes, we are financing dignity, opportunity and the infrastructure of a more resilient Africa,” Mr Hann said.
He added that the partnership will begin with CRDB Bank DRC but will expand to Tanzania and Burundi, supported by advisory services to strengthen lender’s housing finance capacity.
Ms Kerr said the MoU is an important step toward strengthening meaningful engagement, co-investment and long-term impact in critical sectors that support sustainable development and climate action.
“By deepening our collaboration, we’re mobilising capital and investing in the potential of local markets, entrepreneurs and communities across Sub-Saharan Africa,” she said.
By combining its strong East African footprint with the strategic reach of its Dubai Representative Office, CRDB Bank is cementing its role as a trusted bridge between global finance and local opportunity.
