NSIA Bank Côte d’Ivoire has signed a €30 million financing agreement with British International Investment, equivalent to about USD 34.2 million, to expand access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises and women entrepreneurs in Côte d’Ivoire.
The agreement was signed on June 17 in the presence of senior officials from NSIA Group, NSIA Bank Côte d’Ivoire, British International Investment and the United Kingdom’s diplomatic mission in Côte d’Ivoire. The partnership aims to support private-sector development and improve financing conditions for businesses that play a major role in national economic growth.
A major focus of the facility is support for women-led enterprises. Thirty percent of the funding will be dedicated to female entrepreneurship, helping women-owned businesses access the capital they need to grow, create jobs and contribute to inclusive economic development.
NSIA Bank Côte d’Ivoire said the funding will be used to support SMEs, women entrepreneurs and priority sectors such as education, healthcare and housing. These areas align with the bank’s strategic plan and reflect wider efforts to strengthen key parts of the Ivorian economy.
The financing comes at a time when Côte d’Ivoire is working to attract more private investment under its 2026–2030 National Development Plan. The plan aims to support the country’s path toward upper-middle-income status, which will require stronger business financing and greater private-sector participation.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are central to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy, representing about 98 percent of the country’s private sector and around 35 percent of public procurement activity. However, many SMEs continue to face difficulties accessing affordable and long-term financing.
The partnership between NSIA Bank Côte d’Ivoire and British International Investment is expected to help reduce these financing gaps by providing long-term resources for business expansion. It also supports broader financial inclusion by targeting enterprises that are often underserved by traditional credit systems.
The agreement builds on ongoing efforts by the Ivorian government and financial institutions to improve SME support mechanisms, including initiatives such as the One-Stop SME Development Center. By expanding credit access, the new facility can help strengthen entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable private-sector growth in Côte d’Ivoire.
