As access to finance remains one of the most persistent barriers to SME growth across Africa and the MENA region, guarantee mechanisms are increasingly recognised as effective instruments to unlock local capital and drive inclusive economic development. A compelling illustration of this potential is the EU-supported EURIZ programme, managed by Proparco, already achieving tangible results: over €173 million in guarantees have enabled more than 2,400 SMEs to access vital financing. Building on this success, the €360 million MENA Guarantee Facility is now scaling this approach across North Africa and the Middle East.
This session will explore how smart guarantee models can be scaled and sustained to advance financial inclusion and unlock long-term domestic resource mobilisation across the continent.
Key points:
- Blending donor capital, de-risking tools, and technical assistance: What are the key success factors and replicable lessons from the EURIZ and MENA models?
- From outputs to outcomes: How can the results of guarantee mechanisms be effectively measured to ensure long-term impact?
- Scaling with structure: What policy frameworks are required to mainstream guarantees and sustain domestic resource mobilisation?