Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

Status update — November 10, 2025

After the M23 rebel takeover in Eastern DRC in February, Kiva paused fundraising for PAIDEK so as to limit Kiva's exposure to lenders and see how the situation would evolve. Kiva has been in active communication with PAIDEK since then, obtaining updates on operations and general outlook. The security and sociopolitical situation remains unstable but PAIDEK has proven their ability to navigate it thoughtfully throughout this time, including adapting their operations and practices to better serve their clients. After receiving an agreed upon payment, Kiva has decided to resume PAIDEK's fundraising capability, while setting a monthly limit as a precaution, which will be revised over time. Kiva expects PAIDEK to become current with their overdue payments to Kiva by the end of 2025. Kiva deeply appreciates your understanding and continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in conflict zones. 

Partner Description:

PAIDEK is a microfinance institution operating in the Sud-Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is one of only a few reputable financial services providers in the region. With Kiva’s help, PAIDEK will provide loans to farmers to the following underserved communities.

Idjwi is an extremely impoverished island in Lake Kivu. There are few roads and no public electricity or sanitation available to the estimated 200,000 residents living on the island. Most of Idjwi’s residents survive by subsistence farming. 

Uvira city has seen some of the worst of the region's conflict due to its location in a mineral-rich area along Lake Tanganyika. Poverty, lack of access to basic services, ongoing ethnic tensions and the presence of armed groups continue to threaten Uvira residents.

PAIDEK aims to improve the lives of marginalized groups living in Sud-Kivu by providing them with financial services at low rates. The organization lends to a variety of businesses including small scale traders, artisanal activities, livestock and agriculture. About half of PAIDEK’S clients are women.