Loan agreement

Symbiotics and VisionFund Issue USD 10 million Bond to support livelihoods of marginalized women

January 14, 2025

Symbiotics and VisionFund strengthen partnership with the issuance of USD 10 million Bond to support livelihoods of marginalized women in more than 25 countries

This partnership enhances financial access for vulnerable populations across more than 25 countries, fostering economic empowerment with a focus on underserved communities worldwide.

Symbiotics Investments has announced the successful issuance of a USD 10.05 million bond with a 36-month tenor. This initiative, in partnership with VisionFund (VF), the financial empowerment and livelihood arm of World Vision, will strengthen financing for VisionFund’s network of microfinance institutions. Notably, at least 33% of the funds raised through this bond will be allocated to microfinance institutions operating in sub-Saharan Africa.

VisionFund’s extensive global network spans in more than 25 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. As a Christian non-profit organization, VisionFund aligns with World Vision’s mission to empower vulnerable families and children in fragile markets. By prioritizing women and rural communities, VisionFund continues to deliver exceptional social impact, serving approximately 1 million clients. In 2023, 75% of its clients were women, and 66% lived in rural areas.

The bond will enable VisionFund’s microfinance institutions to provide much-needed loans to underserved communities, promoting financial inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty alleviation.

Symbiotics Asset Management played a pivotal role in driving the success of this transformative investment through fundraising. A portion of the funds it manages was used to purchase the bond, demonstrating the alignment of Symbiotics’ investment solutions with its mission to connect impactful opportunities with institutional investors.

”Last year, VisionFund celebrated two decades of creating economically strong and sustainable communities through our financial inclusion and innovation efforts. Symbiotics has been a valued partner in our largest subsidiaries, and this bond will help families, especially women, to unlock economic opportunities and secure a brighter and more sustainable future for children,” VisionFund Chief Financial Officer Elisabeth Madden said.

Symbiotics Investments views this partnership as a significant milestone. VisionFund’s proven track record of delivering social impact at scale makes it a standout partner for impact investors.

“We are grateful for this opportunity. After many years of successful direct investments across the largest subsidiaries of the network, this opportunity allows us to reach end borrowers in more challenging and fragile markets, where direct investment is often not feasible for international investors,” added Vincent Lehner, Head of Markets at Symbiotics Investments.