International Development Grant

Financial Centre for Entrepreneurs/Agricultural Financial Centre

Project Number: CA-3-A034094001

Status: Closed

Country/Region:

Burkina Faso 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $4,430,313.00

Start Date: December 11, 2008

End Date: January 30, 2015

Duration: 6.1 years

Project Description

This project aims to improve the economic situation of Burkinans specifically in the regions of Bobo Dioulasso Ouahigouya and Koupela. It supports rural economic development by providing financial savings and credit services adapted to the needs of small and medium-sized commercial and agricultural enterprises and this within a sustainable institution. The project has two components: (1) Reconfiguring the “Réseau des caisses populaires du Burkina Faso” (Network of Credit Unions in Burkina Faso) to two levels from three including merging some credit unions while maintaining access to financial services. The restructuring aims to enhance the network and its institutions efficiency particularly in managing organizing and planning. (2) Implementing three new “Centres financiers aux entrepreneurs - Centres financiers agricoles” (Entrepreneur/Agricultural Financial Centres) in the regions of Bobo Dioulasso Ouahigouya and Koupela. These centres seek to improve the availability of savings and credit services that meet the needs of entrepreneurs and farmers and to ensure that women have more equal access to financial services.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved at the end of the projects include: i) Reconfiguration component. At the end of the project there were 39 credit unions and 143 service points for a better coverage of the territory. This helps to increase the effectiveness efficiency and sustainability of Burkina Faso’s Network of Credit Unions and its institutions. ii) Entrepreneur and agricultural financial centres component. The three centres are now in place and have met most and even exceeded some of the targets set. They served 1300 entrepreneurs and achieved a cumulative credit volume of 33.9 billion CFA francs (about $ 70 million) particularly in developing credit products adapted to the reality of farmers and women. Since the establishment of these centres entrepreneurs and famers in regions targeted by the project have a more equitable access to financial products and services.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
DID - Développement international Desjardins

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
WGM Africa

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Formal sector financial intermediaries 30%
Education/training in banking and financial services 5%
Business support services and institutions 25%
Agricultural financial services 40%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2008-04-01 to 2009-03-31 $4,430,313 CAD
Geographic Information
000";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2009-04-01;End Date:2010-03-31;Value Date:2008-12-11;Value:"$1
Reference ID: 800