In a landmark initiative to bolster Côte d’Ivoire’s economic backbone, Orange Bank Africa, the country’s leading 100% digital bank, has formalized two strategic partnerships with the Société de Garantie des Crédits aux Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (SGPME). The agreements, signed in Abidjan on July 23, 2026, are set to unlock up to 17 billion FCFA in financing for local TPE (Très Petites Entreprises), PME (Petites et Moyennes Entreprises), and ETI (Entreprises de Taille Intermédiaire), including a dedicated 4 billion FCFA tranche exclusively for women-led businesses.

Speaking at the ceremony, Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, emphasized the core mission behind these partnerships: “Our role is to empower those who are building the ladder of economic growth. While many entrepreneurs face challenges in markets or innovation, the real bottleneck often lies in accessing finance. That’s why SGPME and we have joined forces—to bridge this critical gap.”

Empowering women entrepreneurs through tailored credit lines

Audrey Koffi highlighted the transformative potential of the new funding lines: “In Côte d’Ivoire, women are active drivers of entrepreneurship. Through this initiative, we’re introducing dedicated credit facilities to support female business owners.” She also revealed that Orange Bank Africa disburses approximately 20 billion FCFA in loans monthly, with these new partnerships further amplifying its impact.

Audrey Koffi added, “The newly signed agreements will enable us to channel 4 billion FCFA specifically to women entrepreneurs. What makes this partnership unique is SGPME’s commitment to covering up to 70% of the credit risk, significantly reducing the barriers for female-led ventures.”

Digital banking as a growth catalyst

Audrey Koffi reaffirmed Orange Bank Africa’s vision to leverage digital finance as a catalyst for economic expansion. “Traditionally, small businesses seeking loans face stringent collateral requirements. Our collaboration with SGPME changes this dynamic by sharing the credit risk with partner banks, thereby easing access to funds.”

Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the partnership’s broader goal: “Our guarantee covers a minimum of 50% to 70% of the loan, directly addressing the financing disparities that persist in Côte d’Ivoire.” She noted, “While 17 billion FCFA won’t resolve all financing needs, it marks a significant step forward in reducing the financial divide.”

Joëlle Kouassi further explained that SGPME was established by the Ivorian government to streamline financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, reinforcing the country’s commitment to inclusive economic development.