The Government of Côte d'Ivoire has launched the Fintech Sector Support Project, an initiative designed to boost the capabilities of fintech companies and encourage innovation in financial services. The project was officially announced in a government statement on October 7, 2026, and was launched the previous day, October 6, 2026, in Abidjan-Plateau during a workshop that brought together important players in the financial and digital sectors. The initiative is being carried out by the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget through the Agency for the Promotion of Financial Inclusion (APIF), with financial backing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of the Côte d'Ivoire Business Climate Improvement Support Program (PACA-CI). According to the Bank of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (BCEAO), the use of electronic money services in Côte d'Ivoire rose to 84.2% in 2024, up from 61% in 2019. The number of electronic money service points per 1000 square kilometers increased from 574 in 2019 to 1325 in 2024. The World Bank's Global Findex reports that the country's financial inclusion rate reached 58% in 2024, compared to 41% in 2017. Despite these improvements, Ivorian fintech companies still face challenges, especially in securing financing, developing necessary skills, and meeting regulatory requirements. The new project aims to help these companies overcome these obstacles and support their growth, while also helping to diversify the sector's offerings, which are currently largely focused on payments and money transfers. Dely Soumahoro, a technical advisor representing the Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, noted that fintech companies help reduce barriers to financial services for both people and businesses by leveraging innovation, data, and mobile technologies, as well as artificial intelligence and digital platforms. PACA-CI is already supporting three projects focused on financial inclusion, with a total commitment of nearly 900,000 units of account (UC), equivalent to about 684 million CFA francs (1.17 million USD), according to Patrice Brou, coordinator of PACA-CI and director of APIF Côte d'Ivoire.