This case study documents how a gender-focused performance-based incentive (PBI) and advisory service embedded in a corporate loan catalyzed organizational change and strengthened supply chain resilience at Grupo Elcatex, a leading textile manufacturer in Honduras.
In 2019, IDB Invest structured a $64 million loan that included an annual $30,000 bonus financed by We-Fi. The bonus was contingent on Elcatex meeting progressively ambitious targets for integrating women-owned small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) into its supply chain—both by count and by purchase volume. Supported by advisory partners Fundes and WeConnect International, Elcatex established a rigorous baseline, revised procurement policies, trained buyers, and introduced buyer-level KPIs and rewards.
”The Team is No Longer Saying: ‘A Woman Cannot Do This’
With part of the seven-year tenor complete, the share of women-owned suppliers has met the targets in each year, and as of the end of 2024 was exceeding them. The number of WSMEs in the supply chain increased from 5% to 24%, to 118 companies, and the value of purchases from WSMEs increased from $932,000 in 2019 to $6.3 million by end-2024, with average purchase volumes per WSME also rising. Beyond meeting targets and unlocking incentives each year, Elcatex reported qualitative gains: greater innovation, responsiveness, and a notable shift in mindsets among procurement staff—captured in the refrain that “the team is no longer saying, ‘a woman cannot do this.’” Five success factors underpinned results: committed internal champions on both the financier and client sides; a socially motivated corporate partner; a flexible incentive design allowing alternative target pathways; targeted advisory support for baseline, training, and onboarding; and a gamified buyer rewards system that aligned daily behavior with strategic goals. The experience shows how relatively modest PBIs, paired with advisory services, can unlock outsized, durable change—offering a replicable model for MDBs, impact investors, and firms seeking to advance women’s economic empowerment, diversify and de-risk supply chains, and shift organizational culture.
Download the case study to learn more and watch the webinar here.
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