Symbiotics and VisionFund strengthen partnership with the issuance of $10 million Bond to support livelihoods of marginalized women in more than 25 countries

Geneva, January 14, 2025, Symbiotics Investments has announced the successful issuance of a $10.05 million bond with a 36-month tenor. This initiative, in partnership with VisionFund (VF), the financial empowerment and livelihood arm of World Vision, will strengthen financing for VisionFund’s network of microfinance institutions. Notably, at least 33% of the funds raised through this bond will be allocated to microfinance institutions operating in sub-Saharan Africa. 

VisionFund’s extensive global network spans in more than 25 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. As a Christian non-profit organization, VisionFund aligns with World Vision’s mission to empower vulnerable families and children in fragile markets. By prioritizing women and rural communities, VisionFund continues to deliver exceptional social impact, serving approximately 1 million clients. In 2023, 75% of its clients were women, and 66% lived in rural areas. 

The bond will enable VisionFund’s microfinance institutions to provide much-needed loans to underserved communities, promoting financial inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty alleviation. 

Symbiotics Asset Management played a pivotal role in driving the success of this transformative investment through fundraising. A portion of the funds it manages was used to purchase the bond, demonstrating the alignment of Symbiotics’ investment solutions with its mission to connect impactful opportunities with institutional investors. 

”Last year, VisionFund celebrated two decades of creating economically strong and sustainable communities through our financial inclusion and innovation efforts. Symbiotics has been a valued partner in our largest subsidiaries, and this bond will help families, especially women, to unlock economic opportunities and secure a brighter and more sustainable future for children,” VisionFund Chief Financial Officer Elisabeth Madden said.  

Symbiotics Investments views this partnership as a significant milestone. VisionFund’s proven track record of delivering social impact at scale makes it a standout partner for impact investors.  

"We are grateful for this opportunity. After many years of successful direct investments across the largest subsidiaries of the network, this opportunity allows us to reach end borrowers in more challenging and fragile markets, where direct investment is often not feasible for international investors," added Vincent Lehner, Head of Markets at Symbiotics Investments.  

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About VisionFund 
VisionFund is the financial empowerment and livelihood arm of World Vision, a global Christian relief, development, and advocacy organisation. For more than twenty years, VisionFund has been improving the lives of children and enabling them to grow healthy and educated by offering financial and livelihood solutions to the most vulnerable and marginalised families, particularly rural women in more than 25 countries. It delivers financial and livelihood solutions worldwide so that individuals and businesses can access useful and affordable financial products and services, such as loans, savings, and insurance, that meet their needs. For more information, visit: visionfund.org 

About Symbiotics 
Symbiotics is the leading market access platform for impact investing, dedicated to private markets in emerging and frontier economies. The group offers investment, asset management and capacity building services. Since 2005, we have originated over 8,100 investments representing more than $10.4 billion for 604 companies in 98 countries. We manage an aggregate portfolio of $2.8 billion spread across 20 funds and mandates. Our portfolio companies have also benefited from over 170 technical assistance projects worth more than $19 million. symbioticsgroup.com