The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has signed a US$50 million Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) with French bank, Natixis, to enable the latter to support African banks and their SME clients. The agreement will facilitate their access to trade finance and allow the local commercial banks and African SMEs to unleash their potential by undertaking more regional and international trade. It is expected to help in achieving a cumulative trade volume of US$430 million during the next three years. This development will thus tap the increasing demand in the African markets for trade finance in sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, health, energy, and services.
