Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire and the State of Côte d'Ivoire, through the Ministry for the Promotion of SMEs, have signed an agreement relating to the financing of SMEs in Côte d'Ivoire, from an envelope of 5 billion to a rate of 7% over a period of 24 months. It was on Monday August 02, 2021 at tower A of the administrative city in the presence of Felix ANOBLE Minister for the Promotion of SMEs and Paul-Harry AITHNARD, Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire and Executive Regional Director for the UEMOA zone .

SMEs today constitute a solid base for the development of a country's economy. In practically all the countries of the world, they strongly contribute to the creation of wealth and jobs. According to the Oxford Group's 2018 report, SMEs represent 98% of the formal economic fabric, 20% of national wealth, 23% of the country's working population and 12% of investments made. The objective of this partnership is to work jointly with the Ministry for an exemplary cooperation in all areas, and particularly in that of the development and financial support of entrepreneurship and the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises.

This considerable contribution of SMEs in the Ivorian economy is a consequence of the measures adopted by the State of Côte d'Ivoire through the ministry in charge of this branch. Thus, to obtain more impactful results and promote the emergence of this sector, the ministry is strengthening its strategy by allowing financial institutions to provide support to SMEs. This action of the Pan-African bank is part of its vision to contribute to the development of the economies of the countries in which it is present.