Australian Development Investments (ADI) has provided a loan of USD 3 million (approximately P172 million) to ARQ SME Finance, a women-led lending firm, to address financial gaps for small businesses in the Philippines.
In his remarks at the 2X Global Summit in Manila, Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Marc Innes-Brown PSM, announced that the loan was ADI’s first impact investment in the Philippines.
“The Philippines is home to extraordinary Filipina entrepreneurs—but many face barriers when they seek funds to grow their businesses. Australia is proud to partner with ARQ to help create more business opportunities for women and build economic growth that benefits women and men alike,” he said.
The loan aims to expand the capital available to Philippine businesses that are committed to greater gender equality in leadership, the workforce, supply chains, and human resources management.
For its part, ARQ Co-Founder & Managing Partner Abigail Tan highlighted the role of ARQ as serving the “missing middle”—firms that are too large for microfinance but too small to access traditional banking services.
“It enables ARQ to scale support for Philippine enterprises that embed gender equality, financial governance, and sound business practices—driving long-term opportunity across communities,” she said.
Through the Investing in Women program, the loan expands Australia’s existing commitment to help more Filipinas participate in the workforce or grow their own businesses.
This Australian initiative is working to lift women’s economic equality in the Philippines and the region.
ADI is an Australian government impact investment fund that makes early-stage investments into upstart businesses in the Indo-Pacific region.
