The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development branch EIB Global, and Vista Group have signed two financing agreements of respectively € 20 million with Vista Gui and € 10 million with Vista Bank (SL) to strengthen access to finance for SMEs and mid-caps in Guinea and Sierra Leone. This important initiative is enabled by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) which serves to mobilise public and private financing under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

The signature ceremony was held in Washington in the margins of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, in the presence of Simon Tiemtoré, Chairman of Vista Group, Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director-General at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, and EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle.

The loans will focus on enhancing private sector development, with at least 70% of the funding targeting agricultural value chains, such as cashew, infant food, fruits and vegetables processing and rice value chains across both countries, and country-specific priorities, such as fish and seafood processing, as well as cereals, including fonio and rice, in Guinea, and cocoa, palm oil, cassava, and coffee in Sierra Leone. In parallel, at least 30% of the loans will support women-led or women-serving businesses in line with 2X Challenge criteria, and at least 50% will target youth-led or youth-inclusive enterprises.

This initiative contributes to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and two Team Europe Initiatives: the Green and Blue Economy in Guinea and the Green Pact in Sierra Leone. The investments will be closely aligned with ongoing EU programmes in both countries:

• In Guinea, the TRANSFORM programme will support 100 high-potential agribusinesses ("gazelles") with productivity improvements and better access to finance. Vista Gui will sit on the programme's Steering Committee.
• In Sierra Leone, the Salone Access to Finance initiative, led by the EU Delegation, will establish a matching grant facility to incentivise agricultural lending to MSMEs, potentially including clients of Vista Bank (SL).

In addition, a complementary Technical Assistance programme will be launched to support the banks in deploying the funds effectively. It will strengthen their agricultural lending capacity, support gender-responsive financial product development, and help align their Environmental and Social Management Systems with EIB standards. It will also help familiarise Final Beneficiaries with EU-aligned sustainability certifications, particularly in sectors covered by the EU Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR).

Vista Group Chairman Simon Tiemtoré commented: “This partnership is a major step forward for Vista’s strategy to empower African SMEs, especially in the agribusiness sector. With the support of the EIB and the EU, we will strengthen our offering of long-term finance and advisory services that create jobs, build resilience, and unlock the region’s immense potential.”

Source: EIB

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela commented: “By unlocking long-term capital for small and medium-sized businesses in agriculture, we are strengthening local entrepreneurship, food security, and job creation in Guinea and Sierra Leone. This partnership with Vista Group and the EIB is a clear example of what Global Gateway stands for: strategic investment in sustainable development that empowers people, builds resilience, and creates real opportunities on the ground.”

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle stated: “By partnering with Vista Group, we are empowering local financial institutions to support entrepreneurs in agriculture in Guinea and Sierra Leone, which is key to sustainable and inclusive growth. With a strong focus on women, youth, and sustainable value chains, this operation is a concrete demonstration of the EIB’s commitment to the Global Gateway strategy in West Africa.”