British International Investment and NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire have signed a €30 million term loan to strengthen access to finance for Ivorian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and support women’s entrepreneurship.
The signing ceremony took place in Abidjan in the presence of Jean Kacou Diagou, Chairman of the NSIA Group, Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, and His Excellency John Marshall, British Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire.
MSMEs are the backbone of Côte d’Ivoire’s economy, contributing 20 per cent of the country’s GDP and 23 per cent of employment. However, they often struggle to access finance due to insufficient collateral to secure working capital.
This facility will help to address this by extending financing to MSMEs and women-led businesses. As a 2X-qualified investment, at least 30 per cent of the financing will support women-led companies, in line with the criteria of the 2X Challenge, a global initiative co-founded by BII to invest in women empowerment.
This loan represents the second investment provided by BII to a subsidiary of the NSIA Group after financing of 8 billion CFA francs (€12 million) as a reference investor in a securitisation done by NSIA Bank Benin in 2025.
Jean Kacou Diagou, Chairman of the NSIA Group, stated:
“SMEs are the engine of growth and job creation in Africa. Through this partnership with British International Investment, we are strengthening our capacity to support Ivorian entrepreneurs, particularly women, whose potential contribution to economic development remains considerable. This collaboration illustrates our vision of finance that is useful, inclusive, and sustainable, serving the transformation of our economies.”
John Marshall, British Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, said:
“I am delighted that BII is making another important investment in the financial sector in Côte d’Ivoire, supporting NSIA Banque to improve access to finance for MSMEs across the country. I’d like to congratulate NSIA on the important commitment it has made for 30 per cent of financing to support women-led businesses, which will contribute not only to the empowerment of women but also to more sustainable growth in Côte d’Ivoire.”
Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, added:
“Unlocking the potential of African businesses is at the heart of BII’s mandate. We are delighted to deepen our partnership with NSIA Group to improve access to finance for small businesses and women entrepreneurs, thereby supporting more inclusive economic growth. By backing locally driven partners like NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire, we aim to enable more African businesses to grow, create jobs and thrive.”
Through this partnership, NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire confirms its commitment to financing the real economy, financial inclusion, and sustainable development. This operation also strengthens its capacity to mobilize international resources to support the growth of Ivorian businesses and the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs.
