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.