BP Southern Afri

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The proposed investment involves an equity investment by IFC of up to $8 million in the Business Partners International Southern Africa SME Fund (the “Project” or the “Company”). The Fund is seeking to raise $40 million and will provide commercially sustainable financing and technical assistance to local SMEs in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Fund will seek to invest in entrepreneurs who are building businesses that provide steady income for their families and serve unmet market demand in their local communities. Targeting this group of entrepreneurs maximizes the reach of the Fund, supports business growth in the selected countries, creates and sustains jobs, and helps to develop the local communities that family entrepreneurs are serving. These businesses must demonstrate viable business plans, sustainable market demand, and value-added management and operational capabilities.