Asialink Finance Corporation (AFC), a major financne player, has secured a USD130 million investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private-sector arm. The deal, with Paulton & Company acting as AFC’s financial advisor, is aimed at expanding AFC’s lending capabilities to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. The partnership will allocate at least 60% of funds to support women-led businesses, addressing the significant financing gap faced by female entrepreneurs in the Philippines.
This collaboration marks a milestone in AFC’s ongoing mission to foster inclusive economic growth by empowering MSMEs, which are critical to job creation and poverty alleviation in the Philippines. Robert B. Jordan, Jr., founder and CEO of Asialink Finance Group, said the partnership will help the company extend financial services to more businesses, particularly women entrepreneurs, in underserved regions. The initiative is expected to drive gender equity in entrepreneurship and stimulate broader economic progress.
The MSME sector is vital for the Philippine economy, but many businesses, especially those led by women, struggle to secure funding. According to the Asian Development Bank, these challenges often hinder business growth and job creation. Asialink’s efforts to address these issues include plans to expand its reach by opening new branches across the Visayas and Mindanao regions by 2025. Last year, AFC provided support to over 20,000 MSMEs, with nearly 12,000 women entrepreneurs benefiting from its services.
For IFC, this partnership aligns with its goal to promote financial inclusion in emerging markets and to inspire further investment in the MSME sector. The deal is expected to create a lasting economic impact, fostering resilience in the Philippine economy by enhancing access to capital for underserved businesses.
This collaboration underscores the shared commitment between AFC and IFC to drive sustainable economic growth and strengthen the role of MSMEs in the country’s development.
