In a bold move to empower Ivorian businesses, Orange Bank Africa, the fully digital banking arm based in Abidjan, has inked two strategic partnerships with SGPME—a state-backed institution dedicated to boosting credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The agreements, signed in the economic hub of Abidjan, unlock up to 17 billion FCFA in financing tailored for local micro, small, and mid-sized businesses, including a dedicated 4 billion FCFA allocation for female entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, underscored the critical role of accessible financing in economic scaling. “Our mission is to support those building the backbone of Côte d’Ivoire’s economy,” she noted. “For many entrepreneurs, the real bottleneck isn’t market demand or innovation—it’s securing capital. That’s why we’ve joined forces with SGPME.” The partnerships prioritize women-led ventures, ensuring tailored credit lines to foster inclusive growth.

Koffi revealed that Orange Bank Africa disburses approximately 20 billion FCFA in loans monthly. With the new collaboration, female entrepreneurs will gain access to 4 billion FCFA in credit, backed by SGPME’s guarantee of up to 70%—a lifeline for many aspiring businesswomen.

Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, highlighted the partnership’s broader mission: “Traditional banks often demand collateral that SMEs can’t provide. Here, we step in as the guarantor, bridging the gap with a minimum 50% to 70% coverage.” She emphasized the initiative’s role in narrowing the financing divide, even if the total funds represent just a fraction of the sector’s needs.

SGPME was established by the Ivorian government to streamline SME financing, and these agreements mark a significant milestone. The 17 billion FCFA package—supported by international partners—aims to catalyze growth across Côte d’Ivoire’s entrepreneurial landscape, aligning with Orange Bank Africa’s digital-first vision to democratize financial services and deepen West African financial inclusion.

This milestone coincides with Orange Bank Africa’s sixth anniversary, celebrating six years of disrupting finance with paperless transactions and accessible solutions.