British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, is deepening its commitment to West Africa with a €30 million ($34 million) loan to NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire, a move aimed at expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and accelerating the growth of women-led businesses.

The financing marks BII’s second investment in the NSIA Group network following its participation in an CFA8 billion ($13.7 million) securitisation transaction by NSIA Bank Benin in 2025. The latest facility underscores growing investor confidence in Côte d’Ivoire’s banking sector and its role in supporting private-sector development.

Boosting financial inclusion

Access to affordable financing remains one of the biggest challenges facing African SMEs, despite the sector’s critical contribution to employment and economic growth.

Under the agreement, at least 30% of the financing will be directed toward women-led businesses, qualifying the transaction under the global 2X Challenge initiative, which promotes investments that advance women’s economic empowerment.

The signing ceremony in Abidjan brought together NSIA Group Chairman Jean Kacou Diagou, BII Managing Director and Head of Africa Chris Chijiutomi, and British Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire John Marshall.

Driving economic growth

Jean Kacou Diagou said the partnership reinforces NSIA’s ability to support entrepreneurs and stimulate job creation across Côte d’Ivoire. “SMEs are the engine of growth and job creation in Africa,” he said, noting that women entrepreneurs remain an underutilised source of economic expansion across the continent.

British Ambassador John Marshall described the investment as a significant boost for Côte d’Ivoire’s financial sector, highlighting its potential to expand lending to businesses while strengthening women’s participation in the economy.

Chris Chijiutomi said improving access to finance for African businesses remains central to BII’s mission. He added that supporting local financial institutions such as NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire enables more businesses to scale operations, create jobs and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

Strengthening Africa’s private sector

Led by CEO Leslie Maasdorp, British International Investment deploys long-term capital across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean to support sustainable development and private-sector expansion.

For NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire, one of the leading subsidiaries of the Pan-African NSIA Group, the funding enhances its capacity to provide credit to businesses, expand financial inclusion and support the country’s broader economic transformation agenda.

As Côte d’Ivoire continues to emerge as one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies, the BII-NSIA partnership signals increasing international support for locally driven growth and entrepreneurship.