• BOAD approved two refinancing lines totaling CFA25 billion ($44.2 million).
• BGFI Bank Côte d’Ivoire will receive CFA10 billion to support the 2025–2026 cocoa and cashew campaigns.
• BMS Mali will receive CFA15 billion to finance SMEs and off-grid solar projects.

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) approved two new refinancing lines totaling CFA25 billion ($44.2 million) for BGFI Bank Côte d’Ivoire and Banque Malienne de Solidarité (BMS SA). The operations align with BOAD’s “Djoliba 2021–2025” strategy, which aims to strengthen economic resilience and promote sustainable finance across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

The regional development bank continues to channel funding toward productive sectors and small enterprises to support growth and employment across its eight member states.

Supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s Agricultural Campaigns

BOAD granted BGFI Bank Côte d’Ivoire a short-term refinancing line of CFA10 billion to partially finance the 2025–2026 cocoa and cashew campaigns. The facility will boost the bank’s liquidity, enabling it to meet cash flow needs of agribusiness clients in two of Côte d’Ivoire’s main export sectors.

BOAD said the operation will “support banking sector liquidity and stabilize agricultural incomes” amid continued volatility in global commodity prices.

Financing SMEs and Solar Energy in Mali

In Mali, BMS SA will receive CFA15 billion to finance micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and expand off-grid solar electrification. The credit line aims to improve access to financing for local businesses and stimulate private investment in renewable energy—a key focus of Mali’s energy transition.

The new refinancing lines form part of BOAD’s broader “Djoliba 2021–2025” program, designed to enhance economic resilience and promote sustainable development across WAEMU. Over recent months, BOAD has increased targeted interventions in agriculture, energy, and small business sectors to sustain growth and job creation amid fiscal pressures in several member states.

This article was initially published in French by M.F. Vahid Codjia

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum