New guarantee mechanism in Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire's Housing Bank is introducing a new guarantee mechanism to help small and medium-sized enterprises access financing. The Society for the Guarantee of Credits to Côte d'Ivoire SMEs (SGPME) signed an agreement with the Housing Bank on October 21 to support loans in real estate and construction.

Guarantee covers large loan amounts

The new mechanism allows for a loan balance of up to 15 billion CFA francs (25.6 million USD) in the first year. The SGPME will guarantee 50 percent of eligible loans, with an increase to 80 percent for companies mainly owned by women.

Housing deficit remains a challenge

Despite lower interest rates in 2025, access to housing credit is still difficult for many households in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Housing loans make up only 3 to 5 percent of commercial banks' portfolios in the region.

Housing deficit grows yearly

A 2017 World Bank study estimated the housing deficit in UEMOA countries at over 3.5 million units. This number increases by about 800,000 homes each year, with Côte d'Ivoire alone reporting a deficit of over 800,000 homes since 2011.

New funding for housing bank

The Housing Bank of Côte d'Ivoire received a 10 billion CFA francs financing line from the African Union's Investment and Development Bank in September 2026. This funding is intended to boost the bank's capacity to provide loans in response to growing housing demand.

Rwanda partners with Asian wealth manager

Rwanda is forming a partnership with Raffles Family Office, an Asian wealth management firm, to attract private investment across various sectors of its economy.

Challenges in Ghana's telecom expansion

Ghana faces obstacles in expanding its telecom network, including vandalism, energy shortages, and project delays. These challenges complicate efforts to bridge the digital divide across Africa.

Senegal targets water and sanitation improvements

Senegal aims to invest 4.5 billion dollars to modernize its water and sanitation infrastructure. This comes as the country faces increasing pressure on its water resources.

Uganda's rhino sanctuary attracts visitors

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda is becoming a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. The sanctuary is helping to repopulate rhinos and offers a unique experience along the route from Kampala to the park.

Côte d'Ivoire's Photoromance film

In Côte d'Ivoire, the film Photoromance explores the golden age of photoromance through the lens of Paul Kodjo. This genre, popular after independence, was not limited to love stories but included various intrigues and narratives.