Proparco and Banque Atlantique, a subsidiary of Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) Group, have signed an FCFA 500m EURIZ guarantee agreement to promote the allocation of loans to Malian SMEs mainly owned by women.
The signing of this agreement is part of the implementation of the financing program called “Women’s Entrepreneurship, Banque Atlantique is Committed”, launched in March 2020 with an envelope of FCFA 1bn.
Through this agreement with AFD Group, Banque Atlantique has committed to finance development projects led by women in all sectors. It is thereby working to promote women’s entrepreneurship, convinced that is a driver for development, growth, financial inclusion and innovation.
Launched in May 2019 with support from the European Union, European Development Fund and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the EURIZ guarantee aims to facilitate access to credit for MSMEs and help them play their essential role in economic growth and job creation.
“This partnership confirms the commitment of Banque Atlantique Mali to finance women’s entrepreneurship, by supporting SMEs and the development of innovative financing solutions for companies owned by women”, said Mr. Habib BLEDOU, Managing Director of Banque Atlantique Mali.
“We welcome this signing and the dynamism of our partnership with Banque Atlantique Mali and are pleased to be providing a swift response to support Malian women entrepreneurs”, said Fatoumata SISSOKO-SY, PROPARCO’s Regional Director for West Africa.
About Banque Atlantique
Banque Atlantique is the 3rd largest banking group in the WAEMU zone in terms of market share and operates in eight member countries of the monetary Union (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo). Banque Atlantique is also supported by specialized subsidiaries such as an investment bank (Atlantique Finance), an asset management company (Atlantic Asset Management) and insurance companies (Atlantique Assurances and Atlantique Assurance Vie in Côte d’Ivoire, GTA Assurances and GTA Assurances Vie in Togo). Banque Atlantique is a subsidiary of Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) Group.