GCPF Backs NSIA Banque Benin with USD 15m Green Finance Facility

Zurich/Cotonou ,  08 January 2026 – The Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF) has committed a USD 15 million green loan facility to NSIA Banque Benin, marking one of the first bilateral green loans to Benin’s private banking sector. The facility is part of GCPF’s climate-focused blended finance strategy and is advised by Swiss impact asset manager responsAbility Investments AG.

In Benin, access to dedicated green finance remains limited, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to invest in clean energy and efficiency solutions. Through this facility, GCPF is supporting NSIA Banque Benin in building a structured green lending offering that can channel climate finance to local businesses and help unlock private-sector investment in the energy transition. The transaction supports the NSIA Group’s regional strategy to scale sustainable finance across West Africa by leveraging its banking subsidiaries as catalysts for the energy transition and inclusive economic growth.

Supporting SMEs and climate-positive investments

The funding will enable NSIA Banque Benin to expand climate finance solutions for local businesses, particularly SMEs, with a focus on clean energy, energy efficiency in commercial and industrial operations, and green agricultural projects. The initiative aims to lower energy costs, improve competitiveness, and accelerate the adoption of climate-positive investments.

Strengthening green lending capabilities

Beyond capital, the facility includes technical assistance to strengthen NSIA Banque Benin’s internal capacity to originate, structure, and monitor green projects. The support is designed to help establish a scalable climate finance portfolio with measurable environmental impact.

Building a long-term partnership in West Africa

This deal builds on GCPF’s ongoing partnership with the NSIA Group. In 2024, GCPF extended a senior green loan to NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire, strengthening the group’s climate finance capabilities. The expansion to Benin underscores a long-term commitment to developing resilient, sustainable financial ecosystems in the region.

“Partnering with NSIA in Benin is another milestone in scaling climate finance in West Africa through strong local institutions,” said David Diaz Formidoni, Head of Climate Finance, Financial Institutions and Deputy Head of GCPF. “Supporting banks at the start of their green lending journey is where catalytic capital delivers the greatest impact.”

Anicet Patrick Okoma, Managing Director of NSIA Banque Benin, said: “This facility is more than financing. It marks the beginning of our green finance journey. With GCPF’s financial and technical support, we are well positioned to build a responsible financing offering and deliver long-term value for our clients and communities.”

The transaction reinforces the NSIA Group’s ambition to make sustainable finance a cornerstone of its regional growth strategy, supporting businesses, communities, and the energy transition across West Africa.

About GCPF:

GCPF is a Luxembourg-based fund managed by the Swiss asset manager responsAbility Investments AG. The Fund is a public-private partnership with the primary objective of mitigating climate change through a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in developing markets. Every mitigation project that GPCF finances needs to reduce energy use or GHG emissions by at least 20%. In addition to mitigation, GCPF recently expanded into adaptation finance, and aims to support financial institutions in developing markets to become more resilient to climate risks and to finance adaptation projects in key sectors.

GCPF was established by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), KfW Entwicklungsbank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2009. Junior catalytic capital is provided by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK), the UK’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ), and Denmark’s development cooperation (Danida). Other private and public investors include ASN Bank, Ärzteversorgung Westfalen-Lippe, FMO, OeEB, and EIB.

GCPF is classified as an Article 9 Fund under the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

About NSIA Benin:

NSIA Banque Bénin S.A. is a subsidiary of “Groupe NSIA” a pan-African Group that is present in 12 countries and recognized as a leader in insurance and banking.

NSIA Banque Benin is part of the Group’s banking division, which includes four banks and one branch across West Africa, along with a representative office in Paris dedicated to the diaspora. Operating in Benin and Togo, NSIA Banque Benin S.A. has a robust network of 36 service points and more than 40 ATMs. The bank positions itself as a trusted partner for individuals, businesses, and institutions, contributing significantly to the development of Benin’s economy through the financing of government projects and programs. With more than 500 employees across both markets, NSIA Banque Benin continues to strengthen its role as a driver of growth and innovation.