Mrs. Koné Yah Mariama (in the middle), representing the Minister of Trade and Industry. (DR) The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire (Cci-ci) in partnership with the International Trade Center (Itc), proceeded this Wednesday, November 25, 2020, in its premises, in Abidjan-Plateau, at the official launch of the "She Trades West Africa" project, in the presence of Ms. Koné Yah Mariama, technical adviser, representing the Minister of Trade and Industry, Souleymane Diarrassouba.

Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) and implemented by Itc, this project aims to build the capacity of 24 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or cooperatives run by women in Côte d'Ivoire.

Mrs. Koné Yah Mariama congratulated Itc and Koica for this contribution to the development of the cashew, shea and cassava sectors in Côte d'Ivoire. For her, this project will significantly enhance the agricultural products processed by the companies in the selected sectors. “At a time when Côte d'Ivoire is beginning its industrialization, this project comes at the right time. Because it will strengthen competitiveness and inclusion in these sectors but also increase opportunities for the 24 selected companies that are managed or led mainly by women in Côte d'Ivoire,” she said.

This project, according to the representative of Minister Souleymane Diarrassouba, is in line with the national export strategy put in place by the government through the strengthening of the competitiveness of exporting companies. This is why it invites beneficiaries to take full advantage of this opportunity offered to them through the “She Trades West Africa” project.

The family photo after the ceremony. (DR)

The National Coordinator of the "She Trades West Africa" project, Daouda Yao, stressed that the objective by 2023 is to improve the living conditions of 10,000 women through inclusive value chains in Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Thus, the cashew, cassava and shea sectors have been selected for Côte d'Ivoire; cashew and cassava for Sierra Leone; cassava for Liberia and shea for Guinea.

“In Côte d'Ivoire, the project will strengthen the capacities of 14 SMEs in the cashew sector; 5 in the Shea sector and 5 in the cassava sector. In addition, it will provide support to 2,500 agricultural households,” said Daouda Yao.

He urged the SME beneficiaries of this project to be diligent in the various trainings and to put the knowledge acquired into practice in their various companies. The national coordinator of the "She Trades West Africa" project wishes for a lasting partnership between the Cci-ci and the Itc.

The Vice-President, Maguiraga Bakary, on behalf of the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire, Faman Touré, welcomed this initiative. For him, this program is in line with the missions of the Cci-ci, in particular "support for actors in Ivorian private sector companies in which SMEs constitute the most important fringe with a rate of nearly 90 %”.

A view of some trainers. (DR)

Continuing, Mr. Maguiraga Bakary specified that the Cci-ci will be in charge, within the framework of the partnership signed with the Itc, of implementing capacity building sessions for the benefit of the selected beneficiary companies.

According to him, the training will last six months, that is to say from November 2020 to May 2021. To this end, the beneficiaries will be trained in accounting, trade, law and taxation, access to loans and finance, and business development. “I would therefore like to urge all the beneficiaries to make the most of this program to ensure the competitiveness of their businesses,” urged the representative of Faman Touré.