In a significant move to boost women's entrepreneurship in Côte d'Ivoire, FIN'Elle, the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), and HEC Paris have signed a partnership agreement to launch the "HEC Stand Up" program. The program aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial and managerial capacities of women in the country. The partnership was announced on November 5, 2026, in Abidjan. This initiative seeks to support women in structuring, managing, and developing their businesses beyond mere access to financing.
According to Yénita Bamba, the Managing Director of FIN'Elle, the program is designed to help women build strong, solid, and sustainable businesses. She emphasized that women need support in structuring, managing, and developing their activities to achieve this goal. The program benefits from HEC Paris's pedagogical expertise, FIN'Elle's financial support, and AGF's guarantee mechanisms. With a budget exceeding $100,000, the training is offered free of charge to participants.
The "HEC Stand Up" program will consist of an online phase for 300 selected women, followed by an in-person training session for 105 participants divided into three cohorts. The program's structure includes three stages: online learning, practical implementation, and intensive in-person sessions. Sophia El Hajaj, the program's trainer and project leader in Africa and Côte d'Ivoire, outlined the program's components, which include training in management, marketing, sales, prospecting, and commercial development.
Madoussou Doumbia, representing HEC Paris, welcomed the collaboration, stating that it provides a platform for women to structure their activities, gain confidence, and develop their ambitions. She noted that African women possess talent and audacity but often require a structured framework to achieve their goals. The partnership aims to promote the emergence of more performant and sustainable female-led enterprises, contributing to the country's economic development.
Since its inception in 2018, the HEC Stand Up program has sensitized 9,000 women to entrepreneurship and supported and certified 3,000. In Côte d'Ivoire, a pilot phase has already led to the certification of 15 women. The program's impact is expected to be significant, with the potential to transform the entrepreneurial landscape for women in the country.
The call for applications for the program was set to be launched on November 6, 2026. Interested women can expect to benefit from a comprehensive training program that addresses various aspects of entrepreneurship and business management. The partnership between FIN'Elle, AGF, and HEC Paris underscores the commitment of these organizations to supporting women's economic empowerment in Côte d'Ivoire.
The "HEC Stand Up" program is poised to make a lasting impact on women's entrepreneurship in Côte d'Ivoire. By providing women with the necessary skills and support, the program aims to contribute to the growth of sustainable and successful businesses. The initiative aligns with the country's broader goals of promoting economic development and gender equality.
Key points
- The program offers free training to 105 women entrepreneurs in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The partnership involves HEC Paris, FIN'Elle, and the African Guarantee Fund.
- The program aims to support women in structuring, managing, and developing their businesses.
