Financial Sector Policy Note: Financing Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Burkina Faso

This policy note consists of a study and survey of commercial banks and two non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) (Burkina Bail and Societe Financiere de Garantie Interbancaire du Burkina (SOFIGIB) focusing on lending to SMEs. It focuses on the supply side of the market. The survey and accompanying interviews took place during the summer of 2013. Twelve private banks and five NBFIs were asked to participate in the study and survey. The study references two additional surveys focused on SMEs: (1) the 2009 World Bank enterprise survey, and (2) the 2012 survey of SMEs commissioned by the ministry of industry, trade, and artisans. The study consists of observations and analysis of survey data to provide input to policies for encouraging lending to SMEs and increasing the provision of other financial services.