U.S.-Based Catholic Financier Calls on Global Institutions to Empower African Church Projects

“We empower local Church groups in the Global South to use these resources professionally and efficiently so that they generate their own income, can stand on their own two feet and be less dependent on dwindling sources of donations,” he added.

The Catholic Priest presented Missio Invest’s new form of financing that he said was launched in Kigali in 2015. 

Fr. Andrew Small, OMI, CEO and President of Missio Invest. Credit: ACI Africa

The new model, he said, is effective for all the people of God, despite their social status.

Loans are offered at single-digit rates over a period of seven years. Unlike regular bank loans, Missio Invest does not require collateral, and 98 percent of its borrowers are repaying.

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Highlighting Missio Invest’s impact, Fr. Small said that the organization has given out over $40 million in loans. Additionally, over 33,000 people have been employed across Church-run enterprises, including the 3,383 Church-run schools that have served 6 million students.

Fr. Andrew Small, OMI, CEO and President of Missio Invest. Credit: ACI Africa

He said Missio Invest has invested in Cote  D’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, building on its success to further support the Church’s social impact on promoting human life and dignity.

In Rwanda, the Organization is managing a $9,630,634 portfolio and has extended 20 loans to support Church initiatives to scale income-generating activities in education and healthcare to sustain and expand their social service programs.

Credit: ACI Africa

Fr. Small said that Missio Invest strengthens crucial social services in Sub-Saharan Africa (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia).

Additionally, the organization provides financing for Church-owned and operated agribusinesses, healthcare and education facilities, as well as Church-run financial institutions that administer loans and banking products in underserved communities.

Sabrine Amboka is a Kenyan journalist with a passion for Catholic church communication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from St. Paul's University in Kenya.