Abidjan’s first fully digital bank, Orange Bank Africa, has formalized two groundbreaking partnerships with Côte d’Ivoire’s Société de garantie des crédits aux PME (SGPME)—a state-backed initiative designed to ease credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises. The agreements, signed on July 23, 2026, will unlock up to 17 billion CFA francs in financing for local TPEs, PMEs, and ETIs, with a dedicated 4 billion CFA tranche earmarked exclusively for female entrepreneurs.
Bridging the financing gap for women-led businesses
Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, underscored the urgent need for these measures during the signing ceremony. “Our mission is to empower those building the backbone of our economy,” she noted. “While market opportunities and innovative ideas abound, the real bottleneck remains financing. That’s why we’ve joined forces with SGPME to create solutions that directly address this challenge—especially for women entrepreneurs.”
She revealed that Orange Bank Africa disburses approximately 20 billion CFA in loans monthly, with the new partnership enabling a targeted 4 billion CFA allocation for women-led ventures. “Through this initiative, SGPME guarantees up to 70% of the credit risk, dramatically reducing barriers for female founders seeking capital,” Koffi added.
Doubling down on digital finance as an economic catalyst
The collaboration aligns with Orange Bank Africa’s vision to leverage digital banking as a driver of inclusive economic growth. “Traditional lenders often demand collateral that many SMEs simply cannot provide,” Koffi explained. “Our partnership with SGPME changes this dynamic by sharing the credit risk, making financing more accessible without compromising on security.”
Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, echoed this sentiment. “Our mandate is to shrink the financing divide plaguing Ivorian SMEs. These 17 billion CFA francs won’t solve every funding gap overnight, but they mark a critical step forward.” She highlighted that SGPME’s guarantees cover at least 50%—and up to 70%—of loan risks, thereby easing the path for entrepreneurs to secure bank loans.
A state-backed push for SME resilience
Established by the Ivorian government, SGPME was created to bolster financing access for small businesses. The latest agreements with Orange Bank Africa further amplify this mission, with support from international partners including the French Development Agency and the World Bank. Together, these efforts aim to foster a more dynamic and inclusive business ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire.
As Orange Bank Africa celebrates its sixth anniversary, its commitment to financial inclusion in West Africa remains steadfast. By merging digital innovation with strategic partnerships, the bank is redefining how SMEs—particularly those led by women—can access the capital they need to thrive.
