# African SME financing initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-sme-financing-initiatives > Updated: 2026-08-03T14:35:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, the European Union‑backed Salone Access to Finance Project helped agribusinesses in Sierra Leone increase production and create jobs, while Malawi’s industrial minister urged banks to widen credit for the agriculture sector, highlighting collateral and record‑keeping challenges. A few days later, in early August 2026, the World Bank’s Catalytic Funds and a UK‑funded Resilience, Adaptation and Innovation (RAIZ) programme were launched in Mozambique. These initiatives provided subsidies, patient capital and impact‑linked loans to formalise SMEs, improve accounting, and support climate‑resilient agriculture, the blue economy and renewable energy. Together, the snapshots show a regional push across West and Southern Africa to expand financing for small and medium‑sized enterprises, especially in agriculture, through blended financing models and donor‑supported programmes aimed at de‑risking loans, attracting private capital, and strengthening fiscal revenues. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: Mozambique SME financing expands with World Bank and UK-backed programs World Bank‑backed Catalytic Funds and a UK‑financed RAIZ programme are providing $15‑$74 million in subsidies and new financing tools to formalise and grow Mozambican SMEs, especially in agriculture and coastal 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mozambique-sme-financing-expands-with-world-bank-and-uk-backed-programs ### 2026-07-31: Sierra Leone and Malawi expand financing for agricultural SMEs Sierra Leone’s EU‑backed finance project boosts six agribusinesses, while Malawi’s minister urges banks to expand credit for agricultural SMEs amid collateral and record‑keeping challenges. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sierra-leone-and-malawi-expand-financing-for-agricultural-smes --- Cite as: African SME financing initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-sme-financing-initiatives