The SEPHIS Foundation and the Côte d’Ivoire Export agency signed a strategic partnership agreement on Thursday, October 2, 2025, aimed at strengthening support for women-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in their international development.
This agreement, signed by Ms. Sefora Kodjo, President of the SEPHIS Foundation, and Dr. Kaladji Fadiga, Director General of Côte d’Ivoire Export, is part of a broader effort to promote economic inclusion and enhance women’s leadership within the Ivorian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Strengthening the Competitiveness of Women-Led SMEs
The objective of this partnership is to remove the structural obstacles that limit the expansion of women-led businesses and to strengthen their competitiveness in regional and international markets. It places particular emphasis on preparing women-led SMEs for the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which represents a market of over one billion consumers. According to Ms. Sefora Kodjo, “this support aims to prevent small businesses from being marginalized in this vast continental economic space and to enable them to play an active role in intra-African trade.”
Access to Finance and Export Development
The collaboration between the SEPHIS Foundation and Côte d’Ivoire Export also includes support for access to finance, particularly through the pre-financing of export purchase orders, to help businesses fulfill their commercial commitments in foreign markets. Active in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo, the SEPHIS Foundation has already facilitated over 1.5 billion CFA francs in loans to women entrepreneurs and supports approximately 1,000 women-owned SMEs each year in their structuring, formalization, and growth.
A Partnership Aligned with National Prioritaires
For Dr. Kaladji Fadiga, Director General of Côte d’Ivoire Export, “this partnership is perfectly aligned with the objectives of the National Development Plan (PND 2021-2025), which places significant emphasis on local transformation, regional integration, and strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs.” This joint initiative demonstrates the commitment of both institutions to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development by fostering the full participation of women in the export process and value creation.
Towards Sustainable Economic Inclusion
Through this alliance, the SEPHIS Foundation and Côte d’Ivoire Export intend to contribute to the economic empowerment of women, the creation of decent jobs, and increased national competitiveness within the framework of the AfCFTA.
This partnership marks a significant step in consolidating efforts to promote the economic inclusion of women entrepreneurs and illustrates the commitment of both institutions to supporting women-owned SMEs in achieving a greater presence in international markets.
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