Orange Bank Africa, a fully digital bank headquartered in Abidjan, has finalized two strategic partnership agreements with Côte d’Ivoire’s Société de garantie des crédits aux petites et moyennes entreprises (SGPME), a state-backed initiative designed to ease credit access for small and medium-sized businesses.
The agreements will unlock up to 17 billion FCFA in financing for Ivorian TPEs, PMEs, and ETIs, including a dedicated 4 billion FCFA credit line for women-led enterprises.
Breaking down financial barriers for entrepreneurs
Audrey Koffi, CEO of Orange Bank Africa, emphasized the core mission behind the partnerships during the signing ceremony in Abidjan. “Our goal is to empower those who are building the backbone of the economy. While market opportunities and innovative ideas are abundant, the real bottleneck for most businesses remains financing. This is where SGPME and our bank align: to remove these financial hurdles,” she stated.
She highlighted the bank’s monthly credit disbursement of approximately 20 billion FCFA and reiterated its commitment to digital financial inclusion across West Africa. “In Côte d’Ivoire, women are active entrepreneurs. With these new agreements, we’re rolling out dedicated credit lines specifically for them—totaling 4 billion FCFA. SGPME’s role is pivotal here, as they cover up to 70% of the credit risk, making these funds far more accessible.”
A collaborative model to share credit risks
Joëlle Kouassi, CEO of SGPME, detailed how the partnership operates. “Traditionally, when a PME approaches a bank for funding, the institution demands collateral. Our collaboration with Orange Bank Africa shifts this dynamic by sharing the credit risk. In this partnership, SGPME guarantees a minimum of 50% up to 70% of the loan, significantly reducing the burden on entrepreneurs.”
She acknowledged the scale of the challenge, noting that while 17 billion FCFA won’t meet all PME financing needs, it marks a meaningful step forward. “Our focus is on narrowing the financing gap that has long excluded viable businesses from growth opportunities.”
Driving digital transformation in Ivorian finance
Founded by the Ivorian government, SGPME was created to bridge the financing divide for PMEs. The partnership with Orange Bank Africa—Côte d’Ivoire’s first fully digital bank—reinforces this mission by leveraging technology to democratize financial services.
As Orange Bank Africa celebrates its sixth anniversary, the institution reaffirms its vision: to make financial services accessible to all, fostering economic resilience and inclusion across the region.
