“I was able to benefit financing, no less negligible, from the International Bank for Industry and Commerce (BIIC). This funding allowed me to have a unit modern production of red oil and abandon my equipment artisanal” , she testified. Like her, Abiba OMAR MOUSSA, (company SAFA and Marwane Compagnie), Rébéca SOHIZOUN (ETS Bénin Béni), Nelly Y. CHABI AGBEKE (MACAJOU/ African delicacies made in Cotonou), Esperanza TIKRY ZINHOUE CORENTHINA (Tofidoux), Seliho Jeanne AGBAZAGAN (ML Bridge), Doctor Aoulatou EL HADJ ISSA (Clinique Patte goose) and Mariannick ZINZINDOHOUE, etc. All beneficiaries of the program, were distinguished. “You are at BIIC, stay there. You are not there yet, come running,” launched Stella Chéritas FATON BAHINI, after receiving her distinction. After the effort, there is comfort, they say. These brave women were treated to a concert of artists then a high-quality fashion show.

Investing with women

On behalf of this year 2024, the BIIC, alongside SMEs, SMIs and Beninese women entrepreneurs, intends to celebrate women under the theme: “Investing with women, accelerating development”. “Woman, for us, is not an instrument or object through which we invest. But it is an integral part of our society with which we want to bring our stone in the building of Benin,” declared the Director General of the BIIC, Arsène Mr.Dansou.

“BIIC avec ELLES” is a flagship program which, in addition to financing, provides support and supervision by professionals such as: Notaries, Insurers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, SAE to companies run by women or predominantly female staff. Sensitive to the difficulties of financing of businesses, especially those run by women, bank has launched a program to support them. Through this program which completes its first year, the International Bank for Industry and Commerce (BIIC), supports brave female entrepreneurs to build businesses efficient, stable and long-lasting.

“BIIC avec ELLES” eloquently illustrates the vision of the Director General of the bank, Arsène M.DansOU: “The success of a woman is a gift for Company". This initiative demonstrates the institution’s loyalty to its mission, that of being a leading bank in supporting SMEs and SMIs. This program encompasses “an exclusive package including support, mentoring, advisory assistance and financing” for women. There are in total more than 30 women entrepreneurs or businesses predominantly female to join the first wave of this special program support, launched in March 2023. NSIA Vie Assurances Bénin, Sud Capital SA and specialized lawyers are partners of the bank in this project. The support brings together several skills :