Djamo, the First Fintech to Obtain the BCEAO Microfinance License and Strengthen Financial Inclusion in Côte d’Ivoire

This is a major breakthrough for the fintech ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire. The announcement was made on Thursday at the Casino Barrière L’Eléphant d’Or of Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan by Djamo’s co-founders, Hassan Bourgi (CEO) and Régis Bamba (Chief Product Officer), along with the Managing Director of Djamo Finances, Elfried Didehia. They revealed that Djamo Finances SA, a subsidiary of the Djamo Group, has just been granted its official microfinance license, approved by the BCEAO.

For the co-founders, Mr. Bourgi and Mr. Bamba, the initial ambition was to create the first African digital financial institution designed specifically for digital natives.

“Djamo quickly transformed the Ivorian financial landscape by enabling millions of people to access simple, useful, and transparent services,” they said.

This key milestone allows Djamo to evolve from a payment platform into a true financial partner, now offering a complete range of services for individuals and businesses.

Thanks to this license, Djamo now offers its clients, in addition to its existing services, solutions that were previously limited. Customers can open unlimited current accounts that are fully accessible and manageable online. They can also benefit from savings accounts that yield up to 6% annual interest. Additionally, Djamo provides cash credits that can reach up to 1 million FCFA for individuals and SMEs.

Elfried Didehia reassured customers by emphasizing the strengthened governance of the institution, now fully compliant with the regulatory standards for microfinance establishments.

“This recognition strengthens our customers’ confidence and provides us with the means to become their primary financial ally, anytime and anywhere,” he said, stressing that services are now legally regulated and adapted to local economic realities.

In recent years, Côte d’Ivoire has seen a significant increase in financial inclusion. According to the World Bank, the rate rose from 41% in 2017 to 58% in 2024. More and more people now have bank accounts, but access to financing and savings remains limited. Djamo’s microfinance license fits perfectly into this dynamic by allowing millions of people to access credit and savings services, thus paving the way for more comprehensive and sustainable financial inclusion.

Since its launch in 2020, Djamo has experienced rapid growth. The company has processed over 4.5 billion dollars in transactions, multiplied its revenue by five since 2022, supported more than 10,000 SMEs, and reached 1 million users in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. This expansion was supported by the largest fundraising round ever for an Ivorian startup in 2025, totaling 17 million dollars, aimed at regional development.

Djamo’s initiative is a direct response to the challenges of access to financing for SMEs and individuals in Côte d’Ivoire, where financial inclusion is progressing but access to credit and savings remains a major obstacle to economic development.

With its microfinance license, Djamo is not simply following market trends; the company positions itself as a key player in the transformation of the financial landscape in West Africa. By offering comprehensive and regulated solutions, the fintech confirms its ambition to make finance more accessible, secure, and simple for everyone.