The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is the US government’s development finance institution. DFC partners with the private sector to fund solutions to the most critical challenges facing developing countries today. We invest in all sectors, including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure and technology. DFC also provides financing to small businesses and women entrepreneurs to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC’s investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights and labor rights.
Our mission
DFC was launched in December 2019 with a mission to address the most pressing issues facing developing countries around the world. Today, emerging markets need large investments to generate electricity for growing populations, expand access to modern technologies, address climate change, provide quality health care and increase the capacity of manufacturing, including the ability to manufacture life-saving vaccines.
DFC’s tools help companies pursue promising opportunities that improve lives in the developing world, help address critical development challenges, and advance U.S. foreign policy and national security. The agency’s portfolio covers more than 100 developing countries in Africa, Latin America, Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and DFC provides the prioritize investments in low- and lower-middle-income countries to ensure inclusive growth among underserved populations.
DFC investments also help advance collaboration among development finance institutions on infrastructure development to strengthen private sector investments in shared priority sectors, including climate, health, gender equity and digital connectivity.
DFC INVESTS IN DEVELOPMENT
Debt financing
Direct loans and guarantees up to $1 billion for terms up to 25 years, with specific programs targeting U.S. small and medium businesses
Equity investments
DFC’s direct equity investments can provide critical support to companies committed to creating development impact
Feasibility studies
Support for the analysis of a potential DFC project
Investment Funds
Support for emerging market private equity funds to help bridge the investment capital gap
Political risk insurance
Coverage of up to $1 billion against losses due to currency inconvertibility, government interference and political violence, including terrorism. DFC also offers reinsurance to increase underwriting capacity
Technical assistance
Support to increase the development impact or commercial sustainability of existing DFC projects or develop potential DFC projects
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Our objective Global health
DFC has responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic and is supporting several projects that expand vaccine manufacturing capacity in the developing world. The agency also prioritizes investments in other areas, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and food security, which contribute to improved health outcomes.
Climate
DFC is a leader in financing projects that generate electricity from renewable sources and focuses on promoting climate change mitigation as well as adaptation and resilience to help developing countries to adapt to inclement weather and other impacts they experience as a result of climate change.
Our impact gender equality
DFC’s 2X Women’s Initiative has catalyzed over $13.5 billion and is working to catalyze an additional $12 billion by 2025 for women’s economic empowerment by investing in women-owned or women-led projects , or provide a product or service that provides a significant benefit to women.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
DFC recognizes ICT as an important tool for advancing development and supports investments that expand access to affordable technology, strengthen infrastructure such as data centers and undersea cables, and support essential services such as financial technology, telemedicine and e-learning.
Expanding access to drinking water in El Salvador
Azure Source Capital funding supports loans to small towns and rural communities for investment in new and rehabilitated water pumps, pipelines and storage tanks to improve water supplies for 300,000 people .
Strengthening Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity in India
DFC’s funding to female-led Indian manufacturer Biological E. Ltd. will help the company increase its capacity to produce at least one billion doses of COVID vaccine by the end of 2022.
Protect vulnerable populations against natural disasters
A DFC loan helps the InsuResilience Investment Fund work with financial institutions to develop and expand insurance to protect climate-vulnerable, low-income populations from extreme weather.
Advancing ICT infrastructure in Africa
The funding is helping Africa Data Centers build and expand data centers in South Africa, Kenya and other countries to meet growing demand for information and communications technology.
Helping refugees access financial services
DFC funding will help Kiva Refugee Investment Fund LLC support microfinance lending to refugees, displaced people and affected host populations in 13 countries, with a focus on women and youth.
