The Caisse des dépôts et consignations du Bénin (Cdc Bénin) is structuring a bond issue to strengthen financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by women. As part of the Bond Accelerator Program of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (Uemoa), the institution aims to contribute to mobilizing resources on the regional financial market for women's entrepreneurship. This initiative could give a new boost to financing for women's businesses in Benin.
The Cdc Bénin is working on setting up a social bond issue, the proceeds of which will be used to facilitate access to financing for SMEs led by women. This project is part of the Bond Accelerator Program (Bap-Uemoa), a program led by the Global Green Growth Institute (Gggi), in partnership with the Bourse régionale des valeurs mobilières (Brvm). On November 6, 2026, Gggi announced the selection of several institutions to prepare future thematic bond issues on the Uemoa financial market.
In Benin, the work focuses on structuring a social bond to support the "Women Entrepreneurship Development and Access to Finance" (Wedaf) program. This mechanism aims to improve women's businesses' access to credit while supporting their development and ability to seize economic opportunities. The Wedaf program is designed to address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing finance.
The bond issue aims to mobilize capital in support of women's SMEs and explore a mechanism for mobilizing capital that can strengthen the support systems for women entrepreneurs. The project was already considered in the financial framework presented in November 2025 by the Beninese ministry in charge of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The document provided for a sustainability-linked bond issue, denominated in local currency, with a five-year maturity.
The amount envisaged for the bond issue could reach the equivalent of $30 million, with a partial guarantee from the International Development Association (Ida), capped at $10 million, to help secure the operation. The Cdc Bénin must now finalize the technical and financial details of this issue. The definitive amount, maturity, and subscription conditions remain to be determined.
If successful, this initiative could open up new financing prospects for women's SMEs and help strengthen their position in Benin's economic fabric. The Cdc Bénin's project aligns with efforts to promote women's economic empowerment and support entrepreneurship development in Benin. The institution's initiative is expected to have a positive impact on women's businesses.
The Cdc Bénin's bond issue is part of a broader effort to promote women's entrepreneurship and access to finance in Benin. The project demonstrates the institution's commitment to supporting women's economic development and promoting financial inclusion. The successful implementation of this initiative will depend on various factors, including investor interest and market conditions.
Key points
- Cdc Bénin to raise $30 million for women's entrepreneurship through social bond issue
- Initiative aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises led by women
- Project part of Bond Accelerator Program of West African Economic and Monetary Union
