SIDI

SIDI is a principal investment firm based in Paris, France, established in 1983. The firm specializes in providing medium-term financing primarily to rural microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small producer businesses that focus on fair trade and organic products. SIDI aims to support micro and small entrepreneurs who are often excluded from traditional banking services by investing in Tier 2 MFIs, while also making selective equity investments in Tier 1 and Apex MFIs. The firm allocates a significant portion of its portfolio—75 percent—to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean, with the remaining 25 percent focused on North Africa. SIDI prioritizes investments in rural areas, targeting at least 50 percent of its funds for these regions, and dedicates 20 percent to producer organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The firm typically uses a mix of equity, loans, and guarantees to facilitate its investments, supporting the initiatives of entrepreneurs and producers in the process.