Home Kashf Foundation Kashf Foundation In brief Kashf Foundation (Kashf) is one of Pakistan’s leading specialised microfinance institutions aiming to economically mainstream and empower women in Pakistan by demonstrating a business case for women entrepreneurs. Kashf Foundation was established in 1996 to alleviate poverty and empower women in Pakistan's urban and suburban areas. Kashf transformed its status from an NGO to a not-for-profit company in February 2007 and got the license of NBMFI in October 2016 from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Kashf offers a suite of innovative and transformative products and services to low-income households, especially women. Kashf offers appraisal-backed individual lending and microinsurance to its clients and other non-financial services to have a transformative impact at the household level. Finnfund sees that Kashf Foundation’s activities contribute to SDG5 (promoting gender equality). Therefore, financing to the company qualifies as a gender project for the 2X Challenge. Main development impact Pakistan has high levels of financial exclusion, especially gendered financial exclusion, and low levels of economic development, which creates a need to support low-income households, especially women, with access to finance for economic empowerment. Kashf Foundation offers women-centric and pro-poor access to financial services which promote economic growth, reduce income inequality, improve access to health and nutrition, and empower women through an enhanced role in household decision-making. Kashf aims to expand its outreach to 1 million customers over the next three years. Investment details Name: Kashf Foundation Project number: 80000169 Region: Asia Country: Pakistan Sector: Financial institution Signing date (month/year): December 2020 Currency: USD Finnfund's financing (commitment): 10,000,000 Instrument: Loan Size of the project financing: USD 150 million balance sheet Share of Finnfund's financing (%): max 8% Status: Active Website: https://kashf.org/ Please note, that in principle, this information is given at the time of signature according to Finnfund's disclosure policy. However, in the case of investment funds, the share of Finnfund’s financing (%) is disclosed after the fund’s final closing, and information on the portfolio companies financed by the fund is updated at least once a year. Other investments Name Country Signing date (month/year) Currency Finnfund's financing (commitment) Instrument Kashf Foundation Pakistan March 2024 USD 10,000,000 Loan December Read our transparency and disclosure policy More information: Ajankohtaista ja julkaisut Nykyiset investoinnit Toimialat Yhteystiedot Key facts Name: Kashf Foundation Sector: Financial institution Region: Asia Country: Pakistan Currency: USD Finnfund's financing (commitment): 10,000,000 Signing date (month/year): December 2020 Last update: March 2021