The digital-first banking arm of the Orange Group, Orange Bank Africa, has forged two critical partnerships in Abidjan aimed at unlocking financing for Côte d’Ivoire’s vital small and medium-sized enterprises. The agreements, signed with the SGPME—a state-backed agency dedicated to guaranteeing loans for small businesses—will channel up to 17 billion West African CFA francs into the local economy.
Within this total, 4 billion CFA francs have been earmarked specifically for women-led enterprises, addressing a long-standing gap in financial inclusion. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, emphasized the urgency of the initiative: “The biggest hurdle for most entrepreneurs isn’t the market, nor their ideas—it’s securing the funds to grow. This is why we’ve teamed up with the SGPME. Our collaboration prioritizes women’s access to capital.”
She noted that Orange Bank Africa disburses roughly 20 billion CFA francs in monthly credit across West Africa, with this new partnership enabling the bank to allocate an additional 4 billion CFA francs exclusively to women entrepreneurs. The SGPME’s backing—covering up to 70% of each loan—significantly reduces the risk for lenders, making financing far more accessible.
Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of the SGPME, highlighted the broader mission of her agency: “Traditionally, banks demand collateral that many SMEs cannot provide. Our role here is to step in as a guarantor, sharing the credit risk with financial institutions. In this partnership, we commit to covering at least 50%—and up to 70%—of each loan.”
She acknowledged that while 17 billion CFA francs won’t resolve every financing need in Côte d’Ivoire’s SME sector, it marks a meaningful stride toward closing the access gap. The initiative is further bolstered by support from international development partners, including France’s Agence Française de Développement and the World Bank.
Orange Bank Africa, which celebrates its sixth anniversary this month, continues to champion digital banking as a catalyst for economic growth and financial inclusion across West Africa. By streamlining loan processes and leveraging technology, the bank aims to empower entrepreneurs—particularly women—who drive the region’s economic future.
