Alios Finance S.A.

Debt : December 2015

Alios Finance S.A. is the biggest non-bank financial institution across Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa, operating in Africa for more than 50 years.

Amount

€ 2,877,422.00

Type of investment

Debt

Development impacts

Local economic growth
Private sector consolidation/innovation

Beneficiary locations

Sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia

Investment field

Financial Institutions

Activity

Leasing

Organisation

Alios Finance S.A.

Website

https://www.alios-finance.com/

Domicile

Kenya

The group operates in 9 countries, and it distinguishes itself from the competition (mostly banks) by focusing on speed, price, flexibility, service and by targeting smaller SMEs.

The company’s business is split between two different activities: one targeting SMEs (leasing + equipment) and one targeting individuals (consumer finance). Leasing and equipment (SMEs) account for more or less 80% of the portfolio of Alios.

Development impacts

Local economic growth
Alios contracts with informal MSMEs that usually do not have any significant asset and no correct financial statements. Alios Finance provides them with a productive asset, around which they can build and develop a small business. Furthermore, Alios Finance often helps its client to build correct financial statements.
Private sector consolidation/innovation
Leasing in general and Alios Finance in particular plays a critical role in bringing small businesses into the formal financial system: as informal businesses have access to lease financing, they start building a history of financial transactions. When the appropriate credit information-sharing infrastructure is in place, banks and other financial institutions can access these records, better manage risks, and start providing more comprehensive financial services to these small businesses. Thanks to leasing, small businesses also find a new incentive to join the formal sector.