Côte d’Ivoire: 17 billion cfa francs unlocked for smes and women-led businesses

Orange Bank Africa, a fully digital bank headquartered in Abidjan, has forged two landmark partnerships with Côte d’Ivoire’s Société de Garantie des Crédits aux Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (SGPME), an agency established by the Ivorian government to bolster financing for small and medium-sized enterprises. The agreements, signed in the economic capital on July 23, 2026, will unlock up to 17 billion CFA francs in credit facilities for Ivorian startups, SMEs, and mid-sized firms.

Of this total, 4 billion CFA francs are earmarked exclusively for female entrepreneurs, addressing a critical funding gap that has long constrained women-led businesses in the country. “Our mission is to empower those building the backbone of our economy,” stated Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, during the signing ceremony. “While market opportunities and innovative ideas abound, the biggest hurdle for most entrepreneurs remains access to affordable financing. This is where our partnership with SGPME makes all the difference.”

Highlighting the bank’s commitment to digital financial inclusion, Koffi noted that Orange Bank Africa disburses approximately 20 billion CFA francs in loans monthly. The new agreements will channel a portion of this capacity toward women entrepreneurs, with SGPME providing credit guarantees of up to 70% for approved applications. “This initiative will remove barriers that have historically excluded women from formal financing,” she added.

Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership. “Traditionally, banks demand collateral that many SMEs simply cannot provide. Our role is to step in as a guarantor, sharing the credit risk with lenders to make financing more accessible,” she explained. Under the new framework, SGPME will underwrite at least 50% of each loan, scaling up to 70% for women-led ventures.

“While 17 billion CFA francs won’t solve every financing need in the market, it’s a significant step toward narrowing the funding divide,” Kouassi remarked. She also underscored SGPME’s mandate to facilitate SME growth, a priority the Ivorian state has championed through the agency’s creation.

Orange Bank Africa, which marked its sixth anniversary on the same day, continues to expand its digital-first approach to financial services across West Africa. The bank’s strategy focuses on democratizing access to credit while fostering economic resilience through innovative solutions.