responsAbility Partners with NSIA Banque to Promote Financial Inclusion and Green Finance in Côte d’Ivoire
Zurich/Abidjan, 5 May 2025 — Swiss impact asset manager responsAbility, through both its Financial Inclusion and Climate Finance strategies, has partnered with NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire (NSIA Banque CI), one of Côte d’Ivoire’s leading commercial banks, to support its growth strategy, particularly on SME finance and promote climate-positive lending in the country. This strategic collaboration brings a total combined investment of approximately EUR 35 million to NSIA Banque CI, reinforcing its role in advancing sustainable development and economic growth in the country.
This investment comprises a EUR 15 million senior debt facility from responsAbility’s Financial Inclusion funds, which will support NSIA Banque CI in deploying its SME centered strategic growth plan. The parentship is also complimented by in total EUR 20 million green facility along with the Technical Assistance and advisory services, aimed to support NSIA Banque CI promote climate positive technologies across clean energy and energy efficiency sectors in Côte d’Ivoire.
Supporting SME Clients and inclusive growth
SMEs in Côte d’Ivoire, one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most dynamic economies, play a crucial role in driving economic growth, employment, and innovation, yet often face challenges in accessing adequate funding. NSIA Banque CI ambitions to become a key partner bank for SMEs in the country, by designing products & services specifically tailored to their needs. responsAbility’s facilities will strengthen NSIA Banque CI’s capacity to serve SME clients, ensuring that businesses have the financial resources needed to expand and contribute to sustainable economic development.
Scaling renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
Côte d’Ivoire faces significant climate challenges, with shifting weather patterns and extreme climate events threatening key economic sectors of the country. Hence, mobilizing the climate finance solutions in the country is essential for its sustainable growth. Within this partnership, NSIA Banque CI aims to promote adoption of green technologies with the focus of financing small- to mid-scale solar PV rooftop projects for its corporate and SME clients, as well as energy efficiency initiatives in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Important aspect of the partnership is Technical Assistance and in-house advisory support, which will be provided to NSIA Banque CI Ito develop necessary green lending capacities.
A milestone investment in West Africa
This transaction marks responsAbility’s first investment in a decade in the financial sector in Côte d’Ivoire, and a cornerstone step in building a partnership with the NSIA Group, a major regional player in West Africa. By providing long-term funding and advisory support, responsAbility’s funds are strengthening NSIA Banque CI’s abilities to implement impactful climate finance initiatives while fostering an ecosystem conducive to SME growth.
Aminata Meite, Senior Investment Officer at responsAbility said: “We are excited to partner with NSIA Banque CI in Côte d’Ivoire to support the growth of its SME and green loan portfolio. This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering sustainable economic development, empowering local businesses, and promoting environmentally responsible investments. Together, we aim to drive positive change by enhancing access to finance for small and medium enterprises, while supporting the transition to a greener economy. We are also thrilled to consider this transaction with the NSIA Group as the first of a long term partnership in enabling inclusive growth in the region.”
Massetou Traore, Deputy Managing Director at NSIA Banque CI said: “We are delighted to enter into a partnership with responsAbility. This collaboration represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to drive inclusive economic growth and environmental sustainability in Côte d’Ivoire. By providing greater access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, we aim to empower local businesses, foster innovation, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for our country.”
About responsAbility Investments AG responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes. These themes directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.
Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 16.5 billion in impact investments. With over 270 employees collaborating across 7 offices, as of 31 March 2025 the company manages USD 5.5 billion in assets across approximately 300 portfolio companies in around 70 countries. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G plc, the international savings, and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.
About NSIA Banque CI A subsidiary of the pan-African NSIA Group, which operates across 12 countries and stands as a regional leader in insurance and banking, NSIA Banque CI is an integral part of the Group’s banking division, encompassing three banks (Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Guinea) and two branches (Senegal and Togo) in West Africa.
Publicly listed on the West African Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), NSIA Banque CI maintains a robust network of over 80 branches throughout Côte d’Ivoire, including specialised centres dedicated to corporate banking. The bank further extends its reach through a network of more than 120 ATMs and a representative office in Paris (France), serving the financial needs of the Ivorian diaspora. Through this structure, NSIA Banque CI affirms its position as a trusted financial partner for both individual and corporate clients.
The bank plays a strategic role in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic development, particularly through the financing of major national projects—an engagement that has been acknowledged by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire through the awarding of three Excellence Prizes. Among these recognitions, in 2018, NSIA Banque CI was honoured as the “Best Financial Institution” in the category of Economic and Financial Management. More recently, in 2023, it was distinguished as Best Custodian Bank (BTCC) by the BRVM.
In alignment with its values and long-term vision, NSIA Banque CI is firmly committed to responsible business practices. As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, the Bank adheres to the ten principles relating to human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By joining a network of over 19,000 businesses across 170 countries, NSIA Banque CI reaffirms its commitment to positive social impact and its dedication to its employees, clients, partners, service providers, and the communities it serves
Contact
Richard Rogers
responsAbility Investments AG
+41 44 403 2151
media@responsability.com
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