Across West and Central Africa and Latin America, UNCDF works in 17 countries alongside governments, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector to unlock finance where it is needed most. Through catalytic capital and innovative financing solutions, UNCDF helps make underserved and last-mile markets more investable while supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Our work focuses on expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), strengthening climate resilience, accelerating access to clean energy, advancing digital financial inclusion, and mobilizing private investment for sustainable development. Through guarantees, concessional loans, reimbursable grants, performance-based grants, and investment readiness support, UNCDF helps reduce investment risks and crowd in additional capital.
Operating across some of the world's most vulnerable and underserved markets—including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), fragile contexts in the Sahel, the Congo Basin, the Caribbean, and Latin America—UNCDF supports local governments, financial institutions, cooperatives, and enterprises to create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, and build resilience for women, youth, rural communities, and other underserved populations.
Visit our country pages
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Colombia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Liberia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- São Tomé and Príncipe
Our projects in the region
Blue Peace Financing Initiative (2021–2026)
Funded by the Government of Switzerland, the Blue Peace Financing Initiative supports river basin organizations and local governments in mobilizing public and private investment for sustainable water management. Through blended finance, technical assistance, and innovative financing instruments, the programme helps transform water cooperation into investable opportunities that strengthen climate resilience, water security, and inclusive economic development. Current interventions include the Gambia River Basin (The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal) and Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) Food Security Accelerator (2023–2028)
Implemented by UNCDF in partnership with the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and Sustainable Solutions for Africa (SSA) and funded by the United States Department of State and the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada, the AAI Food Security Accelerator mobilizes investment for nature-positive food systems across Africa. Through concessional loans, reimbursable grants, and investment readiness support, the programme helps agribusinesses and investment funds scale innovative solutions that strengthen food security and sustainable land use. Current investments and pipeline companies span multiple African countries, including Morocco, Mali, and Nigeria.
Digital Finance for Resilience (DFS4Res) (2021–2026)
Funded by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), DFS4Res supports digital payments, digital wallets, agent networks, and enabling regulatory frameworks in Gabon, Niger, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean to expand financial inclusion, strengthen economic resilience, and accelerate digital transformation.
Nutrition Supplier Finance Facility (NSFF) (2024–2029)
Implemented by UNCDF and UNICEF with support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the Nutrition Supplier Finance Facility strengthens local supply chains for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) in Nigeria. Through catalytic financing, the facility supports local manufacturers and suppliers to increase processing capacity, source ingredients locally, and build more resilient nutrition value chains.
Pro-Congo (2025–2029)
Implemented by UNCDF and UNEP and funded by the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI), Pro-Congo mobilizes private sector investment in nature-positive enterprises across the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon. Through catalytic finance, investment readiness support, and technical assistance, the programme helps MSMEs become nature-positive and scale commercially viable business models.
