Following the training of more than 40,000 finance professionals organized by the EIB in Africa over the past 7 years, Abidjan is hosting the 2021 Microfinance and SME Banking Academy. This meeting initiated by the European Investment Bank (EIB) brings together hundreds of African finance professionals.

The first exchange on best banking practices organized by the EIB in West and Central Africa will bring together leaders and experts from the world of finance and banking from all over West and Central Africa. On the occasion, the governors of the central banks of West and Central Africa will refer in particular to the challenges in the field of finance. Experts in the field will share their experiences and solutions for strengthening agriculture financing and gender-responsive financing, digital transition and understanding climate risks. More than 1,000 participants from the banking, microfinance and development finance sectors, from 67 countries, will share their technical and practical experience with a view to improving access to finance for smallholders, entrepreneurs and enterprises, within the framework of of this fully bilingual virtual event.

Thus, for two days, experts from major financial institutions and the EIB, as well as partners from Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A) will share concrete information and technical best practices in order to further strengthen access to finance and facilitate investments in targeted sectors, particularly in climate change mitigation and adaptation to their effects, social, gender equality and the promotion of innovation and digital technologies.