The International Finance Corporation is planning a financing package of up to $10 million for Coris Bank International Chad to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Chad.
According to details released by the IFC, the proposed operation will take the form of a five-year senior loan designed to strengthen the bank’s ability to provide longer-term financing to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. The package includes $5 million directly financed by the IFC, alongside additional syndicated funding expected from other financial partners.
The financing will primarily target sectors including trade, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, forestry, and fishing. The initiative also includes a strong focus on financial inclusion, with at least 15% of the funding expected to support women-owned or women-led businesses.
The IFC says the programme aims to address the significant financing gap facing SMEs in Chad, where smaller businesses often struggle to access credit due to limited guarantees and a lack of long-term funding options. According to IFC estimates, Chad’s SME financing gap stands at nearly $1.5 billion, representing more than 14% of the country’s gross domestic product.
Beyond direct financing, the IFC also plans to provide technical assistance to improve the bank’s risk management systems and strengthen its agricultural value-chain financing capabilities. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the IFC board in June 2026.
If approved, the project would further support the regional expansion strategy of Coris Holding, which operates banking subsidiaries across several West and Central African countries.
In Chad, Coris Bank currently operates a network of 13 branches and has positioned itself as one of the country’s leading banking institutions. The planned financing package is expected to help expand credit access for underserved businesses while supporting entrepreneurship, job creation, and private-sector growth.
