Côte d’Ivoire: EU and EBRD Commit $30 Million to Support SMEs

The European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Wednesday, April 1, the launch of the “Côte d’Ivoire Financing Facility,” a financial mechanism worth up to €26.5 million (approximately $30.5 million) aimed at supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

This initiative is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and seeks to improve access to finance for Ivorian businesses while fostering job creation and sustainable private sector development.

Under the program, the EBRD will provide €20 million in loans to MSMEs, with an additional €4 million expected from partner banks through co-financing arrangements. Meanwhile, the EU will mobilize €2.5 million in technical assistance to strengthen business capacities, particularly in areas such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), investment project structuring, and the preparation of financing applications.