Orange Bank Africa, a fully digital bank headquartered in Abidjan, has formalized two strategic partnerships with Côte d’Ivoire’s Société de Garantie des Crédits aux PME (SGPME), a state-backed initiative designed to ease financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and very small businesses (VSBs).

Unlocking credit for Ivorian businesses

Audrey Koffi, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Bank Africa, highlighted the critical role these agreements play in addressing a longstanding barrier to growth: access to capital. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abidjan, she emphasized that while Ivorian entrepreneurs often excel in innovation and market adaptation, securing financing remains their biggest hurdle.

”Our mission is to empower those building the backbone of the economy,” Koffi stated. ”These new partnerships directly target the financing gap, with a special focus on women-led businesses.”

The collaboration will unlock up to 17 billion FCFA in credit facilities for Ivorian SMEs, including a dedicated 4 billion FCFA tranche exclusively for female entrepreneurs. This initiative leverages Orange Bank Africa’s digital-first model, which disburses around 20 billion FCFA in loans monthly, to streamline access to funding.

Strengthening guarantees to reduce risk

Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, underscored the partnership’s innovative approach to shared risk. Traditionally, SMEs face stringent collateral requirements when seeking bank loans. The new framework shifts this dynamic by offering a minimum guarantee of 50% to 70%, significantly lowering the barriers for businesses—particularly women-led ventures—to secure financing.

”Our goal is to bridge the financing divide,” Kouassi explained. ”While 17 billion FCFA won’t solve every need, it’s a meaningful step toward reducing inequality in access to credit.”

Digital banking as a growth catalyst

Founded by the Orange Group, Orange Bank Africa is celebrating its sixth anniversary this July. Committed to democratizing financial services, the bank has become a key player in West Africa’s digital banking revolution, prioritizing financial inclusion through accessible, technology-driven solutions.

The two agreements signed with SGPME reflect a broader trend in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic strategy, where public-private partnerships are being harnessed to fuel SME growth—an essential driver of job creation and economic resilience.