To optimise the scale and effectiveness of the Swiss (public and private sector) contribution to income and employment generation through financial inclusion as proven poverty alleviation strategy in North African partner countries. (1) Financial institutions up-scale massively their outreach to poor households and MSMEs in line with responsible finance practices. (2) Deepen inclusive financial sectors offering affordable client-oriented financial services for poor people (notably poor women) and MSMEs with priority given to peri-rural areas. (3) Current phase will verify, if the SCBF yields the expected impact potential in supporting a financial inclusion agenda in North Africa.

The project in brief

Directorate/federal office responsible	SDC
Credit area	Development cooperation
Project partners	Contract partner Private sector Swiss Private Sector
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’250’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’250’530
Project phases	Phase 2 10.12.2015 - 31.12.2021   (Completed) Phase 1 01.12.2011 - 30.12.2016   (Completed)

Further technical details

• Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY
  Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation	Financial policy and administrative management Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development
  Type of support	Official development assistance (ODA)
  Type of collaboration	Bilateral cooperation
  Finance type	Aid grant
  Aid Type	Project and programme contribution
  Tied/untied aid	Untied aid
  Project number	7F08204