One of the entrepreneurs supported by Microlux, Mariela has created a company called Experiencias Deliciosas, which offers Argentine specialties like empanadas and alfajores. Photo: Tania Alamilla/Microlux

One of the entrepreneurs supported by Microlux, Mariela has created a company called Experiencias Deliciosas, which offers Argentine specialties like empanadas and alfajores. Photo: Tania Alamilla/Microlux

In 2024, more than 300 people contacted Microlux for support with their entrepreneurial projects--a 17% increase compared to the previous year. Amongst them, 176 received tailored support, and 50 micro-loans were granted to support their business launch or development.

The year 2024 was marked by “ever-increasing momentum,” Microlux said upon the publication of its annual report on 22 April 2025. The non-profit social enterprise aims to promote the social and economic inclusion of people who can’t access “traditional” bank loans, and in July 2024, . “This change in the articles of association guarantees the reinvestment of all profits in the development of Microlux's activities,” board chairwoman Anne Contreras-Muller and senior manager Sam Paulus wrote in the report’s introduction. “By thus waiving any financial return, the shareholders have sent a very clear message to current and future partners: all resources and efforts devoted to Microlux will be dedicated to the social inclusion of the most disadvantaged and to the creation of businesses and jobs in Luxembourg.”

Microlux supports businesses such as Experiencias Deliciosas (Argentine culinary specialities), Strëmpestand (which sells socks, wallets and other accessories), Bio Nettoyage (cleaning services), Akwaba Africa (which sells African groceries), Babily Gifts (which sells items for babies) or TK-Ondra (which offers traditional Eritrean clothing).

A total of 304 people contacted the Luxembourg microcredit institution for support with entrepreneurial projects. That’s an increase of 17% compared to the year before, when 259 people approached Microlux for support. Of the people who contacted Microlux in 2024, 176 received tailored support, and 50 micro-loans (for a total of €694,400) were granted to support their business launch or development. The total amount granted is down slightly compared to 2023, when it stood at €706,350.

Last year, 21 prêts d’honneur ( with a repayment deferral of up to two years) for a total of €123,600. That’s an increase from 2023 (€118,200 disbursed, 22 prêts d’honneur granted) and from 2022 (€92,950 disbursed, 17 prêts d’honneur granted).

Ten training sessions were held, noted Microlux, which counted 98 participants. The microfinance institution also provided entrepreneurs with support concerning the promotion and visibility of their businesses, such as via the Marché des Entrepreneurs at the Belle Étoile shopping centre.

Established in 2016, Microlux counts BGL BNP Paribas, Appui au développement autonome (Ada), Association pour le droit à l’initiative économique (Adie) and the European Investment Fund as its founders. (, injecting €300,000 of capital). The microfinance institute has, since its founding, disbursed 321 micro-loans for a total amount of €4.59m, with an outstanding loan amount of €1.86m, said the annual report. The average amount of a micro-loan came to €13,888 (versus €14,363  in 2023) and the non-payment rate stood at 15% (the same as the previous year). As of 31 December 2024, 280 entrepreneurs had been supported.

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