Support for SMEs in accessing capital markets: BRVM and BADEA sign a partnership agreement

On the sidelines of the 9th edition of the Africa SME Champions Forum, which is being held in Abidjan on October 9 and 10, 2024, the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) concluded , this Wednesday, October 9, 2024, a strategic partnership agreement. This agreement, focused on the financing of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), aims to improve the access of SMEs to capital markets.

The main objective of this Global Cooperation Agreement is to define a framework for a partnership between the BRVM and BADEA, which will strengthen the financial and technical capacities of UEMOA SMEs, an essential pillar of the regional economic fabric. This agreement is structured around three major axes:

1. Capacity building for SMEs : A technical assistance program will be put in place to improve the skills of WAEMU SMEs, in order to prepare them for better access to financing.
2. Access to the debt market : This axis will allow SMEs to benefit from solutions to access financing via the bond markets, a crucial step for their development.
3. Equity support : In addition, support will be offered to help SMEs strengthen their capital structures via equity financing.

Since the opening in December 2017 of its third compartment dedicated to SMEs with high growth potential, the BRVM has been striving to strengthen SMEs’ access to financing through the capital market. This support program, entitled Elite BRVM Loungelaunched in 2018, saw the participation of 30 SMEs selected within UEMOA. Building on this experience, the BRVM is currently preparing a new phase of this program, which will target more than a hundred SMEs in the Union.

On the occasion of the signing of this agreement, the BRVM welcomed the commitment of BADEA, led by Dr Sidi Ould TAHfor its continued support of efforts undertaken in favor of financing SMEs. This partnership with BADEA marks a significant step forward in supporting SMEs, a key factor for accelerating economic growth and sustainable development within UEMOA.

Through this partnership, BRVM and BADEA aim to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs, thus facilitating their integration into capital markets, which will promote their expansion and their ability to contribute to the economic transformation of the region.