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AFD in the French Overseas Territories

 

Comprised of ten collectivities and territories around the world, more than 2.3 million people live in the French Overseas Territories.  Their unique environments are a source of limitations, such as geographical isolation, small markets, distance from France and the European market, and of specific advantages, such as biodiversity and large maritime zones. 

AFD has a mandate from the French government to support sustainable economic growth in these French-administered territories outside of Europe.

In what it calls “Overseas France”, AFD’s activities have four main goals: financing and supporting public policies; promoting the competitiveness of businesses and creating employment; supporting balanced regional development; and supporting sustainable development and environmental conservation.

AFD supports the public policies of local authorities, semi-public enterprises and the public sector with investments and financing through subsidized loans. When local authorities run into financial difficulties, AFD also provides advice and funding for financial restructuring.

For the private sector, AFD helps small and medium-sized businesses get started, grow and improve their competitiveness.  AFD facilitates access to bank credit and funding on favorable terms with subsidized loans, co-financing at below-market rates and loan guarantees.

In terms of regional development, AFD aims to help local authorities in the French Overseas Territories to better integrate into a regional network.  These activities include extending AFD’s know-how and resources to neighboring countries in the regions so they can work in concert to address shared challenges.

Four of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots are located in the French Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, New Caledonia and Polynesia, which is why AFD pursues activities that favour sustainable development and conserve biodiversity.