Credit in developing countries can be granted through formal or informal channels. formal channels include institutions such as banks, credit cooperatives, and government agencies. loans of this type accrue positive interest and are typically court enforced. informal credit channels include relatives, friends, community members, moneylenders, rotating savings and credit associations, and informal intermediaries. loans such as these may or may not accrue positive interest. loans of either type may be used by the borrower for consumption or investment in a business?

Yes they can be used to purchase goods or invest in a business.

Explanation:

Loans from formal channels like banks and government agencies are usually given for an specific purpose if you own a business or can be handed out for any type of personal use if you request them as an individual. This applies to developed  and developing countries.

Loans from informal channels can also be used by a business, specially small businesses, and obviously personal use. Large businesses will probably not take a loan from an informal channel since the interest rates will probably be higher and the amounts will be too small. But even on developed countries, someone who has just graduated can ask his/her parents or a friend for a loan to start a small business or buy a car. Informal channels are based on personal relationships and even though they don't represent a large percentage of loans in developed countries, they also exist.