Douala, Cameroon, May 19, 2011
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today signed an agreement with ADVANS Cameroon to help the microfinance institution train its branch managers, loan officers and other employees in a number of business areas so they can more effectively serve and support smaller businesses in the country.
Under the agreement, ADVANS, which offers credit to micro, small and medium enterprises, will introduce IFC’s Business Edge program to train its employees. Business Edge offers skills training to help staff of larger companies and managers of smaller businesses increase their knowledge and run more efficient businesses.
Frank Snieders, ADVANS Cameroon General Manager, said, “We are grateful to IFC for its continued support to private sector development in Cameroon. The growth of our business and the increasing role that our institution is playing in the microfinance market in Cameroon today would not have been possible without our great partnership with IFC. ADVANS Cameroon will continue this important partnership”.
IFC Private Enterprise Partnership for Africa General Manager, Jan Schwier, said, “This partnership will help ADVANS Cameroon better serve Cameroon’s important small business sector and demonstrates IFC’s commitment to supporting private sector growth in the country”
IFC has partnered with six consulting firms in Cameroon, which have delivered Business Edge training to hundreds of businessmen and women. in five topics (Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Operations and Personal Productivity Skills),
IFC’s Business Edge partners in Cameroon are Africa Audit Council (AAC), Business Management Solutions (BMS), Diversity Management and Consulting (DMC), PANESS Conseil, FIDA Conseil ,Cible.
IFC and ADVANS Cameroon previously signed an agreement to develop a training project and customized courses for 160 of the microfinance institution’s small and medium business clients.
IFC’s strategy in Cameroon includes increasing support to the small and medium enterprise sector; helping improve the business climate; and supporting direct investments in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. We create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We do so by providing financing to help businesses employ more people and supply essential services, by mobilizing capital from others, and by delivering advisory services to ensure sustainable development. In a time of global economic uncertainty, our new investments climbed to a record $18 billion in fiscal 2010. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
.
Stay Connected
