Working together on
microfinance and microinsurance
microfinance and microinsurance
Leuven, 13 May 2026 - At an Extraordinary General Meeting, the partners of BRS Microfinance Coop approved the Board of Directors' proposal to voluntarily dissolve the cooperative. This dissolution will take effect at midnight on 30 June 2026. With this step, BRS is consciously opting for simplification. Commitments in microfinance continue unabated, henceforth through Cera's increased participation in the Belgian cooperatives Alterfin and Incofin Microfinance Fund.
Over the past few months, Cera and BRS conducted a thorough strategic reflection on their role in the changing microfinance landscape. That exercise led to a clear conclusion: by simplifying operations and working more closely with specialised partners, the impact on rural entrepreneurs and farmers in the South can be further increased.
This is why Cera will henceforth realise its microfinance investments through increased participation in Alterfin and Incofin Microfinance Fund, two Belgian cooperatives with strong and complementary expertise in this sector.
The 1,420 members of BRS Microfinance Coop will be fully repaid the contribution value of their cooperative A shares in the first week of July. In addition, the General Assembly approved another cooperative dividend of 2.5% for the 2025 financial year. Members will be transparently informed about the further progress and will continue to be involved through the operations and communication of BRS asbl.
The dissolution of BRS Microfinance Coop has no impact on the operations of BRS asbl. On the contrary: it creates additional space and focus for its core mission. For more than 30 years, BRS asbl has been committed to strengthening rural entrepreneurs and farmers in the South through training, advising and coaching of microfinance institutions.
A key asset remains the unique cooperation model with KBC, whereby KBC colleagues volunteer their expertise to partner organisations worldwide. In 2025, BRS could count on the expertise and commitment of 94 KBC employees. This knowledge-driven, coaching collaboration will continue to be a central pillar in the future.
Investments in MFIs also continue, but without the input of private members.
Frederik Vandepitte, chairman of BRS Microfinance Coop and CEO of Cera, concludes:
"We strongly believe in joining forces to increase the positive impact on the lives of rural entrepreneurs and farmers in the South. Cera is therefore entering into a closer partnership with Belgian cooperatives Alterfin and Incofin Microfinance Fund and will realise its investments in the MFI sector through an increased stake in these two organisations."
Frederik Vandepitte thanks members: "I would like to explicitly thank all the members who supported BRS Microfinance Coop from its inception, who together took the entrepreneurial risk in order to support MFIs and provide rural entrepreneurs and farmers with access to microcredit."
End of press release
The annual report of BRS asbl and BRS Microfinance Coop for financial year 2025 can be accessed on the website www.brs.coop
Hilde Talloen, Head of Communications Cera, hilde.talloen@cera.coop, 0494 85 59 59
