In order to ensure access to finance for start-ups and young SMEs, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations de la Côte d'Ivoire (CDC-CI Capital) was launched on Monday.

The creation of CDC-CI Capital responds to the need to improve access to finance for startups and young SMEs to pre-seed, seed and venture capital funding, especially those led by women and young people. Thus, the missions of CDC-CI Capital are, in particular, to facilitate access to financing for companies by setting up mechanisms in synergy with actors in the banking and financial system

According to Lassina Fofana, Director General of CDC-CI, the entity has already set up a financing mechanism for SMEs worth 5 billion FCFA following a call for expressions of interest from 3 microfinance institutions, namely COFINA, CREDIT ACCES and Fin'elle.