In Niamey, capital of Niger, the Federation of Professional Associations of Banks and Financial Institutions (FAPBEF) of Uemoa countries, started on Monday, December 20, 2021, a forum for reflection on access to financing for SMEs / SMIs in the sub-region. Chaired by the Minister of Finance of Niger, Dr Ahmat Jidoud, this meeting brings together players from the banking sector and financial institutions.

Aware that their commitment remains to be improved to better participate in the emergence of SMEs/SMIs, the banks and financial institutions of UEMOA, united under the banner of the Federation of Professional Associations of Banks and Financial Institutions (FAPBEF) of the UEMOA countries, have started discussions since yesterday, with a view to exploring suitable solutions to facilitate access to financing for SMEs/SMIs. It is for the participants to analyze with objectivity and a sense of patriotism the difficulties faced by SMEs/SMIs in the Uemoa in terms of financing. The catalytic character of this meeting remains to be confirmed in the implementation of the decisions that would come out of it. On occasion, the FAPBEF will, among other things, remind participants of the financing mechanism for SMEs/SMIs in the Uemoa zone; report on the implementation of the system by the actors, and finally examine the ways and means to improve access to financing for SMEs/SMIs on the basis of the system. A series of practical and applicable recommendations are expected at the end of the discussions.