IFC and Citi Set Up USD 2bn Trade Finance Facility Across Emerging Markets

Friday 30th October 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

IFC and Citi have announced a trade finance facility of up to USD 2 billion covering emerging markets, including African economies. The agreement seeks to expand financing for businesses whose orders and production depend on reliable access to imported inputs and export credit.

Under the 29 October announcement, IFC will provide guarantees of up to USD 1 billion, matched by Citi’s commitment. The facility is expected to support more than 100 companies across Africa, Asia and Latin America over three years.

The headline amount therefore describes the combined facility across several regions. It should not be read as a USD 2 billion allocation exclusively for Africa, or as money already disbursed to borrowers.

Citi will also deploy at least USD 500 million of its own trade financing towards companies in sectors with climate benefits. The identified activities include water and sanitation infrastructure, renewable energy, efficient manufacturing and sustainable agriculture.

Guarantees address part of the risk that would otherwise occupy a lender’s balance sheet. That can create room for additional lending, although the announcement alone does not establish the price, collateral requirements or approval time that an individual African business would face.

A food processor importing packaging, for example, needs financing that matches the interval between paying a supplier and receiving customer revenue. Credit that arrives after the production window can leave a confirmed order unfulfilled even when the business has viable demand.

InAfrika’s coverage of the Africa Trade Report’s financing gap provides a separate continental perspective on this constraint. The practical test for the new facility will be the financing actually extended, which countries and smaller businesses receive it, and whether it supports repeat trading relationships.

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