Orange Bank Africa, a fully digital banking institution headquartered in Abidjan, has formalized two strategic 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 enhance funding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The agreements, signed in Abidjan, will unlock up to 17 billion FCFA in financing for Ivory Coast’s TPEs, SMEs, and mid-sized enterprises, including a 4 billion FCFA allocation earmarked specifically for women-led businesses.

The collaboration addresses a critical challenge for Ivorian entrepreneurs: securing capital. As Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, explained during the signing ceremony, “Most businesses thrive on strong market demand and innovative ideas, yet their biggest hurdle remains access to financing. That’s where SGPME and we come in—filling this gap through these agreements.”

The initiatives prioritize financial inclusion for women, a demographic that has increasingly driven Côte d’Ivoire’s economic growth. “Ivorian women are bold entrepreneurs,” Koffi noted. “We’re introducing dedicated credit lines for female founders, empowering them to scale their ventures.” She highlighted Orange Bank Africa’s monthly credit disbursement of approximately 20 billion FCFA and emphasized the new partnership’s role in channeling 4 billion FCFA toward women-led enterprises. SGPME’s backing further strengthens this effort by covering up to 70% of the credit risk.

Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, underscored the partnership’s broader mission: “Traditionally, SMEs face barriers when seeking loans because banks demand high collateral. Here, we act as the guarantor, sharing the credit risk with lenders to ease this burden.” She added that SGPME’s guarantee ranges from 50% to 70%, aiming to bridge the financing divide for businesses across sectors.

While the 17 billion FCFA infusion won’t resolve all funding gaps, it marks a significant step forward. Kouassi affirmed, “Our goal is to shrink the financing gap—not overnight, but steadily. Every billion counts in unlocking potential.”

Established six years ago on July 23, Orange Bank Africa continues to champion digital financial services, striving to make banking more accessible and inclusive across West Africa. By merging technology with strategic partnerships like this one, the bank reinforces its commitment to fostering economic resilience among Ivory Coast’s entrepreneurs.