“Each successful SME represents a further step towards a more robust and inclusive economy”
Financial Afrik went to meet Branham Kintombo, General Director of the Guarantee and Support Impulse Fund (FIGA), a public structure supporting the development of Micro, Very Small, Small and Medium Enterprises (MTPMEA) implemented by the Congolese government. Before occupying this position, Mr. Kintombo worked for twelve years in the banking sector, notably at UBA Congo and the Banque Congolaise de l’Habitat, where he was responsible for managing risks and commitments. These experiences have allowed him to acquire solid expertise in financial structuring, risk management and the development of support strategies for businesses. Also, for this senior executive, his mission at FIGA is a continuation of his commitment to promoting access to financing, particularly for small businesses because, he declares, “I am convinced that this lever is essential to the growth of our economy. Leading FIGA goes beyond a simple professional mission, it is a personal commitment to the economic development of our country. Each successful SME represents a further step towards a more robust and inclusive economy.”
Since your appointment in April 2024, what has been your vision for FIGA and how has this vision been realized so far?
Since my arrival, I wanted to position FIGA as a key player in supporting Micro, Very Small, Small and Medium Enterprises (MTPMEA). My vision is based on a strong conviction: We must remove the financial, but also strategic, obstacles that are holding back Congolese entrepreneurs. This ambition was translated into a series of concrete initiatives, the first of which was the increase in our capital to 30 billion FCFA, making it possible to strengthen our capacity for action.
We have also launched technical support programs to help entrepreneurs structure their projects and improve their management skills. To date, more than 500 MTPMEA benefit from our services, and we aim to double this figure in the next two years.
You mentioned the ambition to position FIGA as a key player in economic development. What are the main strategic axes that you have put in place to achieve this objective?
My ambition for FIGA is clear: we must be the catalyst for the growth of Congolese MTPMEA. To achieve this, we have implemented a strategy structured around three major axes. First, we have strengthened access to financing by diversifying our guarantee mechanisms. This makes it possible to support companies at different stages of their development, whether in the start-up, growth or recovery phase. Secondly, we introduced personalized support for each supported company, including training on management, finance and commercial strategy.
This support is essential so that SMEs can not only survive, but thrive in a complex economic environment. Finally, we have established new partnerships with banks and financial institutions to facilitate access to credit, in particular by sharing risks through specific guarantees adapted to the needs of MTPMEAs.
Could you explain to us the structural reforms undertaken under your leadership?
One of the first structural reforms was to strengthen our internal governance. We have implemented a rigorous audit process, strengthened our collateral control mechanisms and introduced full transparency in fund management. We have also streamlined our operations to better meet the needs of entrepreneurs by providing them with fast and efficient service. Furthermore, the increase in capital to 30 billion FCFA was a key step in increasing our capacity to guarantee credit and support businesses on a large scale.
“We have not only doubled our financial resources, but also our potential impact on the Congolese economy. » These reforms have allowed FIGA to be more agile and better respond to market expectations.
The increase in capital to 30 billion FCFA is a major change. How does this strengthen FIGA’s capacity to support MTPMEAs?
The increase in our capital to 30 billion FCFA has doubled our capacity for action. This means that we are now able to guarantee larger loans, but also to expand the number of beneficiaries. In 2023, FIGA supported 200 MTPMEA, and with this new capital contribution, we aim to support more than 500 companies by 2025. This increase also allows us to develop new financial products adapted to the specific needs of companies, whether whether to finance short-term projects or to guarantee larger investments. “With this enhanced capital, we are not just increasing the numbers; we increase the impact. »
What measures have you put in place to restore stakeholder confidence in FIGA?
Restoring trust has been one of my priorities since my arrival. We first established total transparency in our operations, by regularly publishing activity reports and ensuring clear communication with all stakeholders. We have also implemented a rigorous risk management framework to ensure that funds and guarantees are used optimally.
“Trust cannot be decreed, it is earned on a daily basis. We have shown that FIGA is a reliable partner for entrepreneurs and financial institutions. » This approach has already started to bear fruit, with renewed confidence from our banking partners and an increase in guarantee requests.
How are transparency and rigor in the management of funds ensured within the organization?
We have put in place several mechanisms to ensure rigorous management of funds. First of all, each project undergoes a strict evaluation process before being funded. We then carry out regular monitoring of the companies we support to ensure that the funds are used in accordance with the objectives set. In addition, we have implemented internal and external audits to ensure the compliance of our operations. “At FIGA, rigor is not an option; it is a necessity to ensure the sustainability of our action. »
Transparency is at the heart of our approach, and each franc invested must generate a return not only for the company, but also for the national economy.
What types of partnerships have you renewed with financial institutions and how do these partnerships benefit MTPMEA?
We have renewed several strategic partnerships with local and international banks, as well as with microfinance institutions. These partnerships allow us to offer more flexible financing solutions adapted to the needs of MTPMEAs.
For example, our partnership with the African Solidarity Fund (FSA) allows us to benefit from co-guarantee mechanisms, which helps us reduce financial risks for our banking partners. “These collaborations are essential to expanding access to financing, as they help remove barriers that small businesses could not overcome alone. » Through these partnerships, we have already been able to finance several large-scale projects and we intend to increase their number in the years to come.
How do you plan to improve collaboration with banks and financial institutions in the future?
Our objective is to further strengthen our collaboration with banks and financial institutions, by setting up more robust co-guarantee mechanisms and creating innovative financial products adapted to the specificities of the Congolese market. We also plan to organize regular forums between FIGA and financial institutions to facilitate the exchange of information and promote joint solutions.
We want to build a true financial ecosystem where each player, whether a bank or an entrepreneur, finds their place and prospers. This requires close collaboration with all stakeholders and ongoing dialogue to identify the best solutions for our MTPMEA.
