Citi, DEG Provide P1.5B Financing to Filipino Women Entrepreneurs

Citi and German development finance institution DEG have provided more than P1.5-billion in financing to OnePuhunan, creating additional lending capacity for underserved Filipino entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women running micro-businesses. The financing is aimed at helping women gain greater access to capital, expand their businesses and strengthen household incomes.

Citi is providing more than P300 million directly and is coordinating the financing partnership, while mobilizing more than P1.2 billion from DEG, part of Germany’s KfW Group. The transaction marks DEG’s first debt investment in the Philippine financial inclusion sector and Citi’s first Social Finance partnership with DEG in the country.

Key Highlights

• Citi and DEG are providing over P1.5 billion to OnePuhunan
• Funding will help more underserved women access business finance
• The deal is DEG’s first Philippine debt investment in financial inclusion

The new financing will allow OnePuhunan, also known as CreditAccess Philippines Financing Company Inc., to increase its microfinance lending. This can give more women access to the money they need to grow their businesses, increase income and support their families. The focus on women entrepreneurs is important because access to finance can help women invest in their businesses, increase sales, create jobs and build more stable sources of income.

OnePuhunan already has a large presence across the Philippines. In 2025, it had a gross loan portfolio of more than P10 billion and served over 600,000 borrowers through 315 branches across 16 regions.

With this nationwide network, the new funding could reach women entrepreneurs in many communities, including those who have limited access to traditional financial services.

OnePuhunan President and CEO Daniele Rovere said “the funding will help the company expand its reach and speed up the digitalization of its services. The goal is to provide more Filipinos with accessible financial solutions”.

For women running micro-businesses, access to capital can make a significant difference. A small loan can help an entrepreneur purchase more stock, improve business operations, invest in equipment or expand into new markets. When women-owned businesses grow, the benefits can also extend to their families and communities through higher household incomes and new employment opportunities.

Citi Global Head of Social Finance Jorge Rubio Nava said “the partnership shows how financial institutions can work together to create a positive impact for women entrepreneurs”.

DEG Director FI Debt Asia/EMECA Juliane Loch also highlighted the importance of helping women expand their businesses, increase household incomes and build stronger futures for their families.

Earlier in 2026, the International Finance Corporation announced a separate financing facility of up to $60 million for OnePuhunan, with the funds focused on women-owned and women-led microenterprises in rural areas.

Together, these investments show growing interest from international financial institutions in supporting women entrepreneurs who are often underserved by traditional financial systems. The latest Citi-DEG partnership therefore goes beyond providing capital. By helping more women access finance, it can support business growth, strengthen household incomes and encourage greater participation of women in the Philippine economy.