Women’s Empowerment program: capacity building session for 500 beneficiaries of the FAFCI program to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills
A new milestone has been reached in the process of strengthening the capacities of women beneficiaries of the Women’s Support Fund of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI). On Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Ballroom of the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, First Lady Dominique Ouattara, represented by Ms. Maïmouna Koné, wife of the Vice-President of the Republic, officially launched a training session for 500 women beneficiaries of the FAFCI.
Organized in partnership with the Government of Quebec and HEC Montreal, this training, which will take place from June 22 to 25, 2026, reflects First Lady Dominique Ouattara’s commitment to complementing access to financing by developing women’s entrepreneurial and financial skills.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Ms. Maïmouna Koné, the First Lady expressed her gratitude to the Government of Quebec and HEC Montreal for their commitment to Ivorian women, highlighting “the interest you show in the women of Côte d’Ivoire and their continuing education” as well as “the richness of this North-South partnership, which beautifully illustrates that solidarity has no borders.”
Reflecting on the creation of the Women’s Support Fund of Côte d’Ivoire in 2012, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara recalled that this initiative was in response to the difficulties women face in accessing financing, despite their essential role in the national economy.
“To provide an effective response to this issue, we established the Women’s Support Fund of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI) in 2012, with the trust and support of my dear husband, President Alassane Ouattara,” she stated.
The First Lady highlighted the remarkable results that were achieved through the FAFCI program (Fund for the Support of Women in Côte d’Ivoire) over its fourteen (14) years of existence. Initially endowed with one billion CFA francs, the fund now has a capital of 28 billion CFA francs and has enabled more than 430,000 women to benefit from financing throughout the country. She also emphasized that “100 billion CFA francs have been invested through repayments, with an exemplary repayment rate of 98%, demonstrating the hard work and determination of the beneficiaries.”
For Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, these results are proof that the FAFCI has become “a true tool for financial inclusion for our sisters and sustainable development for our country.” The founder of the FAFCI went on to pay heartfelt tribute to the beneficiaries, whose discipline and dedication ensure the fund’s continued success. “I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the women of Côte d’Ivoire, who have embraced the FAFCI and helped it grow with us over the years,” she declared, before adding that “it is thanks to their discipline and diligence that this fund is thriving and helping so much”
The First Lady explained that the FAFCI’s support can no longer be limited to financing. “We are fully aware that true empowerment also requires knowledge, skills, and the ability to manage one’s resources wisely to ensure the success of one’s investment,” she said.
It is with this in mind that FAFCI partnered with the Quebec Office in Côte d’Ivoire and HEC Montreal to offer beneficiaries high-level training entitled “Becoming Autonomous in Financial Management – Training for Women in Business,” delivered under the guidance of Professor Nadon, a renowned specialist in financial management applied to women’s entrepreneurship. This session constitutes the third phase of a training program initiated in 2025, following two initial sessions that benefited association presidents and women leaders within FAFCI.
Finally, addressing the 500 participants in this latest training session, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara congratulated them on their exemplary achievements. “Your selection among the many beneficiaries of the FAFCI (Fund for the Support of Women Entrepreneurs in Côte d’Ivoire) testifies to the hard work you have demonstrated in managing your businesses and your constant desire to progress,” she declared. She urged them to make the most of the training they would receive: “I am counting on you to fully embrace each tool this training will offer and to apply them in managing your businesses. I encourage you to persevere and go even further, because there are no limits to success for those who believe in themselves.”
In closing her message, the First Lady reiterated her confidence in the ability of Ivorian women to contribute in a sustainable way to the economic and social development of Côte d’Ivoire. “Each one of you is an essential link in the chain of our country’s development. I encourage you to excel yourself and continue to inspire other women.”
Ms. Elisa Valentin, Vice-Minister for Europe, Africa and the Middle East Relations at the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie, praised this successful partnership for women. She stated that Côte d’Ivoire is a key partner for Quebec.
Mr. Ahoussi Arthur, Director General of the Treasury, representing the Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, commended the dynamism of the FAFCI (Fund for the Support of Women’s Financial Inclusion in Côte d’Ivoire). He declared that the FAFCI is one of the most successful instruments for women’s financial empowerment and inclusion since its creation in 2012. He mentioned the excellent results achieved by the program as proof. “The results are truly impressive. From an initial capital of one billion CFA francs, we have grown to 28 billion CFA francs, benefiting 430,000 women with a 97% repayment rate,” Mr. Ahoussi Arthur revealed.
Ms. Yao Patricia Sylvie, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, gave a presentation of the FAFCI program (Fund for the Support of Women in Côte d’Ivoire). She revealed that 430,000 women have benefited from FAFCI funding to date. She further stated that the program has helped more than two million (2,000,000) people escape poverty.
It should be noted that a testimonial and artistic performance was featured during the ceremony.
