Share the page
Focus on impact: six new operations supported by Proparco qualify for the 2X Challenge
Proparco is proud to announce that six operations have qualified for the 2X Challenge, as part of the 31 projects aligned in 2025, representing a total of €642 million committed to advancing gender equality.
Congratulations to these organizations: TBC Bank, JSC Credo Bank, Ventures Platform V, Alive Early Growth Fund II, Blue Earth Capital, and EcoEnterprises Fund IV.
At the heart of its strategic “inequalities” pillar, these operations reflect Proparco’s conviction: empowering women is a key driver of sustainable development. They make a tangible contribution to strengthening women’s access to economic resources, professional opportunities, and decision-making spheres.
Access to finance: a key lever for economic empowerment
Access to financial services and capital remains a major challenge for women, particularly in emerging economies. By supporting committed financial institutions and investment funds, Proparco helps bridge this gap.
The financing provided to TBC Bank and JSC Credo Bank is helping expand women’s access to tailored financial services—an essential condition for their economic and decision-making autonomy. Having a bank account, accessing credit, or developing an income-generating activity are all key factors in strengthening their ability to act.
Entrepreneurship and leadership: transforming economic dynamics
Supporting women’s entrepreneurship and promoting women’s presence in decision-making bodies are powerful drivers of transformation. Through its investments in funds such as Ventures Platform, Alive Early Growth Fund II, Blue Earth Capital, and EcoEnterprises Fund IV, Proparco helps finance innovative companies where women play a key role as founders, leaders, and agents of change.
Greater representation of women in decision-making spheres fosters more inclusive and sustainable business models, while also improving the overall performance of organizations.
Employment and economic inclusion: an essential foundation
Access to decent work is a fundamental pillar of women’s empowerment. The projects supported by Proparco help create and improve economic opportunities for women, particularly in high-potential sectors such as technology, natural capital, and essential services.
Without income, there can be no sustainable economic autonomy. These investments therefore contribute to reducing structural inequalities and fostering more inclusive growth.
Preventing and addressing gender-based violence: a cross-cutting priority
The 2X Challenge incorporates the consideration of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH), a key issue for Proparco. Such violence remains a major barrier to gender equality and to women’s economic participation.
Proparco encourages its clients to implement policies to prevent and address GBVH—an essential condition for creating safe, inclusive, and equitable work environments.
Tangible impacts for women
Beyond commitments, these projects deliver concrete results for women: increased access to finance, job creation, entrepreneurial opportunities, and stronger female leadership.
To better understand these impacts and their reach, explore the report:
“Show me the impact!” - Findings and insights from DFI gender portfolio evaluations
Discover our action
Acting for greater equality
Reducing inequalities is essential for sustainable development. In accordance with the commitments made by the French government and AFD Group, Proparco has placed this objective at the heart of its s...
Our publications
“Show me the impact!” - Findings and insights from DFI gender portfolio evaluations
Published on December 8, 2025
Private Sector & Development #33 - Harnessing the private sector to reduce gender inequality
Published on February 25, 2020
Our videos
Expertise for Change - Ninel Ulloa, Gender Impacts Project Manager
Published on March 11, 2026
Voices for Change - VisionFund Sénégal, with Agnès Diene and Christine Fages
Published on March 18, 2026