The government has launched a programme aimed at strengthening the country’s fintech sector and expanding access to financial services, as digital finance continues to play a growing role in the Ivorian economy.

The Fintech Sector Support Project was officially launched on Tuesday in Abidjan. Led by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget through the Agency for the Promotion of Financial Inclusion (APIF), with financial support from the African Development Bank, the initiative seeks to strengthen fintech companies, encourage innovation and promote digital financial solutions accessible to more people.

Government officials said fintech companies are helping reduce barriers to financial services through mobile technologies, data and artificial intelligence. Côte d’Ivoire has already recorded progress in digital finance: the number of electronic money service points per 1,000 square kilometres rose from 574 in 2019 to 1,325 in 2024, while the use of electronic money services increased from 61% to 84.2% over the same period.

The sector still faces challenges, including limited access to financing, a shortage of skills and the need for greater compliance with financial regulations. The new programme will seek to address these constraints while encouraging fintech companies to develop services beyond payments and money transfers.

The project is part of the broader PACA-CI programme to improve Côte d’Ivoire’s business environment. According to the programme coordinator, Patrice Brou, three projects directly focused on financial inclusion are being supported, with a combined commitment of nearly 900,000 accounting units, equivalent to about 684 million CFA francs.