WASHINGTON - IDB Invest has partnered with Stone Instituição de Pagamento S.A. (Stone) to support the expansion of credit offerings for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Brazil, with a special focus on the Brazilian Legal Amazonia region through a R$295 million (equivalent to $50 million) financing package.  

The project is designed to empower MSMEs by providing accessible credit and fostering economic development in areas with limited financial infrastructure, helping to bridge the financing gap, in the context of the Amazonia Forever program.

Stone has contributed to expanding card acceptance and digital payments in Brazil’s interior regions. This project aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses with tailored credit solutions, helping to address financing gaps—particularly in the Amazonia region, where access to formal credit and banking services remains limited.

The Brazilian Amazonia spans 40% of Latin America across nine countries. The Legal Amazonia is a region of Brazil that encompasses 9 states: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins and part of Maranhão. This area corresponds to approximately 59% of the Brazilian territory and covers 5 million km².  

MSMEs are vital to Brazil's economy, accounting for 30% of GDP and 72% of employment. Despite this, they face significant challenges with accessing credit due to high interest rates, lack of guarantees, and inadequate financial documentation. In response, digital financial inclusion offers a solution, providing underserved regions with access to credit and financial services through digital tools.

The financing from IDB Invest includes advisory services to enhance Stone's value proposition for MSMEs, and promote the effective use of financial solutions, particularly for women entrepreneurs, by incorporating tailored financial and non-financial solutions that address the unique challenges faced by these firms in the Legal Amazonia Region.

About IDB Invest

IDB Invest is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social, and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of $21 billion in assets under management and over 394 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries. Visit our website idbinvest.org/en.  

About Stone  

Stone offers a complete ecosystem of solutions that drives entrepreneurship in Brazil. Since 2012, the company has been transforming the market through technology, integrating payment methods and financial services for businesses of all sizes. With a strong customer focus and excellence in service — its key differentiator — Stone now serves over 4 million entrepreneurs across more than 5,500 cities in Brazil.

About Amazonia Forever

Amazonia Forever is the IDB’s regional coordination program that aims at protecting biodiversity and accelerating sustainable development in three lines of action: expanding funding, boosting knowledge exchange, and facilitating regional coordination among the eight Amazonian countries.    

The program is based on five pillars: (i) Combating deforestation and strengthening environmental control and security in the context of national governments; (ii) Bioeconomy and creative economy, promoting alternative and sustainable economic activities; (iii) People, aiming at adequate access to quality education, healthcare, and employment; (iv) Sustainable cities and infrastructure and connectivity; and (v) Sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, livestock and forestry. In addition, the program focuses on promoting the inclusion of women, indigenous peoples, people of African descent and local communities; climate and forest conservation; and strengthening institutional capacities and the rule of law.