The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has extended a new €20 million ($22.7 million) credit facility to Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire, bringing its total financing commitment to the bank to more than $100 million over the past five years. The funding is intended to expand lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) while improving access to finance for women-owned and women-led businesses.
The latest financing builds on a long-standing partnership that began in 2021 with a $10 million trade finance facility under the IFC Global Trade Finance Program. The collaboration expanded in 2024 through a $40 million risk-sharing agreement, under which IFC guaranteed half of a portfolio of short-term SME loans in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. Bridge Bank also secured an additional $40 million trade finance facility, further strengthening its lending capacity.
Bridge Bank plans to use the new funding to increase financing for SMEs, which represent nearly 98% of registered businesses in Côte d’Ivoire. Under the agreement, 25% of the new credit facility will be dedicated to businesses owned or led by women, supporting greater financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
The bank has steadily increased its SME lending in recent years, with the segment now accounting for 23% of its loan portfolio. It aims to raise this share to 25% by the end of the year and eventually increase it to one-third of its total lending. To support this strategy, Bridge Bank established a dedicated SME division in January 2026, focused on developing specialized financial products and strengthening support for business clients.
Alongside the financing, IFC will provide technical assistance to enhance the bank’s SME lending capabilities, including support for credit risk management, business strategy, staff training, and tailored financing solutions.
The announcement comes shortly after Bridge Bank received regulatory approval to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM). The offering includes 10 million shares, representing 20% of the bank’s share capital, at a price of CFA6,750 per share, with a total value of CFA67.5 billion, marking another significant milestone in the bank’s growth strategy.
