Meeting: First Lady Dominique Ouattara Meets with Bintou Bayo, CEO of INNOV FINANCE

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, First Lady Dominique Ouattara received Bintou Bayo, CEO and co-founder of INNOV FINANCE, at her offices in Cocody.

Ms. Bintou Bayo was accompanied by two shareholders of INNOV FINANCE: Ms. Diaby Poukou Patricia, who works in the cocoa industry, and Ms. Fadigha Fatou, an attorney admitted to the Bar of Côte d’Ivoire.

The discussions focused on the ambitions of this meso-finance institution and the official launch of its operations, scheduled for October 23.

During this meeting, Ms. Bintou Bayo presented INNOV FINANCE’s vision and objectives to the First Lady. “I am one of the founders of the microfinance organization known as INNOV FINANCE,” she explained, noting that this organization is “created by women, led by women, for women.”

Through this initiative, the founders aim to contribute to the development of women’s entrepreneurship by facilitating access to financing and supporting women entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the official launch of INNOV FINANCE’s activities, scheduled for October 23, 2026. On this occasion, Ms. Bintou Bayo sought the First Lady’s advice and extended an invitation to her. “I am preparing for the official launch of our activities on October 23. I came to inform the President, seek her advice, and also invite her, if possible, provided her schedule allows,” she said.

INNOV FINANCE is a meso-finance institution—a financial organization that bridges the gap between traditional banks and microfinance institutions, serving as the “missing link” for financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).