IFC and Sicredi expand access to finance for women-led micro and small enterprises in Brazil’s Legal Amazon

São Paulo, Brazil, September 11,  2025 — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing up to $250 million in Sicredi, a nationwide cooperative financial institution, to expand access to finance for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Brazil, with a focus on women-led businesses and underserved communities in the Legal Amazon.

The financing package includes an initial $100 million loan from IFC’s own account. This amount may reach $150 million and complemented by up to $100 million in additional funds mobilized from international investors, for a total of up to $250 million. The allocation of the resources will be 80% to women-led micro and small enterprises across Brazil and 20% to MSEs operating specifically in the Legal Amazon, a region where access to credit remains significantly below the national average and where Sicredi has a strong presence, including in smaller municipalities and remote areas far from major urban centers.

Additionally, IFC, in partnership with IDB Invest—a member of the IDB Group—will provide advisory services to Sicredi supported by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), to develop a gender-focused business model tailored for the Amazon region. This initiative is part of the Amazon Finance Network (AFN), an alliance launched by IFC and IDB Invest. AFN brings together financial institutions to increase investment flows, mobilize capital, promote financial inclusion, and share knowledge on innovative financial solutions. The network also works closely with the public sector to foster collaboration and generate sustainable impact across the Amazon region.

Investing in micro and small enterprises, especially those led by women, is essential to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Brazil. Although they account for 95% of all businesses and generate 40% of new jobs annually, MSEs receive only 15.5% of available credit. Women-owned MSEs face even greater barriers, with only 2.6% accessing formal loans, compared with 4.6% of their male peers. This financing gap—estimated at $15.8 billion—constrains the potential of women entrepreneurs and undermines broader economic resilience.

“This initiative reinforces IFC’s commitment to inclusive development and sustainable finance,” said Manuel Reyes Retana, IFC’s Director for South America. “Our long-standing partnership with Sicredi—one of Brazil’s largest cooperative financial networks and a key force in advancing financial inclusion through cooperativism — has enabled  us  to  advance

IFC’s strategic objective in the country: expanding access to finance, contributing to job creation, reducing regional inequalities, and unlocking the full economic potential of these communities,” he added.

“This partnership with IFC strengthens our commitment to expanding access to credit for micro and small enterprises, especially those led by women and located in underserved communities such as those in the Legal Amazon. Beyond offering financing, we seek to generate positive impact by spurring economic activity. This is cooperativism in practice, driving sustainable and inclusive development in Brazil,” said Alexandre Barbosa, Sicredi’s Executive Director for Sustainability, Administration, and Finance.

About Sicredi

Sicredi is a cooperative financial institution committed to the growth of its members and to the development of the regions where it operates. Its governance model values the participation of more than 9 million members, who act as owners of the business. With more than 2,900 branches, Sicredi has a physical presence in every Brazilian state and in the Federal District, offering a comprehensive range of financial and non-financial solutions. Sicredi website: Click here

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