Societe Generale and IFC Strengthen Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Finance in Developing Countries

Societe Generale and IFC Strengthen Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Finance in Developing Countries

(IN BRIEF) Societe Generale and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have signed a Collaboration Framework Agreement to further their collaboration on sustainable finance initiatives in developing countries, aligning with their shared commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental sustainability. This partnership aims to enhance financing solutions, including project co-financings and risk-sharing agreements, to mobilize private sector support for climate transition. It will specifically focus on projects related to clean energy, water, sustainable infrastructure, agribusiness, and empowering women entrepreneurs in SMEs. The agreement also includes sharing expertise and methodologies for measuring and monitoring impact. The collaboration builds on their longstanding partnership and previous joint initiatives, contributing over $20 billion to developing countries in the past decade and further harnessing their respective strengths in structured finance, ESG, and global reach (Societe Generale) and experience in private sector development in emerging markets (IFC).

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 19-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Societe Generale and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, have signed a Collaboration Framework Agreement to accelerate on sustainable finance in developing countries, as part of both institutions’ shared ambition to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strong commitment to the environmental transition and sustainability.

As part of this agreement, the two institutions aim to further develop wide-ranging financing solutions such as project co-financings or risk sharing agreements, contributing to private sector mobilization in support of the climate transition. In particular, the agreement will support sustainable finance projects to facilitate access to clean energy, water and other infrastructure and to foster sustainable agribusiness, as well as the financing of projects empowering women entrepreneurs in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Societe Generale and IFC will also share approaches and expertise on methodologies and frameworks aimed at measuring and monitoring impact.

This new Collaboration Framework Agreement builds on a longstanding partnership, solid cooperation track record, as well as a joint commitment towards the SDGs and rigorous environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. Over the last 10 years, the two institutions have co-financed about 60 transactions with other partners, representing more than US$20 billion in new investment flows into developing countries. IFC has also provided approximately US$1.3 billion in financing to Societe Generale, for instance to enable the scaling up of green vehicle fleets.

This partnership will draw on the complementary strengths of the two institutions. Societe Generale will bring its leading expertise in structured finance and ESG, its ability to distribute assets to investors and its global reach. IFC will leverage its experience as the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries, including its balance sheet strength and in-depth knowledge of developing economies.

Slawomir Krupa, Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale, comments: “I am delighted to strengthen our cooperation with IFC with the signing of this Collaboration Framework Agreement, building on solid relationships between our institutions established over time. By joining forces, our ambition is to increase our contribution to sustainable projects in developing countries, in relation with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As part of our strategic plan and ESG commitments, developing partnerships with the most relevant stakeholders helps us design the best solutions to address the challenges of the environmental transition and the need for sustainable infrastructures in developing countries.”

Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, IFC, says: “This agreement will deepen the long-standing relationship between IFC and Societe Generale, allowing us to work together to deploy scalable private sector investments in emerging markets. We look forward to an enhanced partnership to provide the critical financing needed for projects with a transformative impact on people and local economies.”

Media Contacts:

Societe Generale:
Fanny Rouby
+33 1 57 29 11 12
fanny.rouby@socgen.com

IFC:
Lamia Oualalou
+33 7 89 07 99
13_ loualalou@ifc.org

SOURCE: Societe Generale