CÔTE D’IVOIRE : Wave and DigiFemmes join forces to promote women’s entrepreneurship

(LVDE) – Wave Côte d’Ivoire, the leading mobile payment provider, and DigiFemmes, an organization specializing in training women in digital skills, have launched WaveUP, a program designed to support the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Côte d’Ivoire.

At a time when women’s entrepreneurship is gaining momentum, Côte d’Ivoire is witnessing the emergence of a promising new initiative. Wave Côte d’Ivoire, a major player in Africa’s mobile payment industry, has partnered with DigiFemmes, a structure dedicated to training and supporting women in the digital and entrepreneurial sectors. Together, they have launched WaveUP, a program designed to help women entrepreneurs structure and grow their businesses.

This strategic collaboration aims to transform informal economic projects into strong, profitable enterprises fully integrated into the formal economy. Both organizations share a common goal: to facilitate access to digital financial services and promote inclusive women’s entrepreneurship in Côte d’Ivoire. “This women-only program addresses the key challenges faced by Ivorian entrepreneurs, including lack of funding, limited visibility, and restricted access to digital tools,” reads the launch statement.

WaveUP primarily targets women leading microenterprises (TPEs) and young SMEs that are in their early stages of development or formalization. Eligible businesses must be less than a year old and operate in key sectors such as agribusiness, handicrafts, local services, digital technology, and renewable energy.

The program unfolds in several phases. It begins with a one-month online training focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the use of Wave Business services. This is followed by a two-day intensive bootcamp for the top fifteen candidates, who will have the opportunity to strengthen their business strategies and enhance their pitching skills. At the end of the program, the winners will receive three months of personalized support, including strategic mentoring sessions to help them bring their business visions to life. In addition, three of them will be awarded funding of up to CFAF 2 million each, disbursed in stages based on specific milestones.

The program aims to recruit 500 women through a nationwide call for applications, available online via the DigiFemmes platform and in person at the organization’s headquarters in Abidjan. Applicants must have at least a secondary-level education, demonstrate a clear commitment to formalizing their businesses, and show willingness to integrate digital payments into their daily operations.

Beyond entrepreneurial support, the initiative seeks to promote the use of Wave Business as an integrated payment solution, contributing to the modernization of financial management among small enterprises. In a context where financial inclusion and the formalization of African economies are increasingly prioritized, this program aligns with sustainable development goals. It aims to create tangible jobs, uncover untapped talent, and stimulate the growth of women-led microenterprises across the country, including in rural areas.

With Wave operating in nine African countries and DigiFemmes training hundreds of women since 2022 in Côte d’Ivoire, WaveUP is envisioned as a scalable model for other African markets. This partnership could mark a decisive turning point in the economic empowerment of women in Côte d’Ivoire—providing them with the tools, skills, and opportunities to build a better future.

Sorelle Ninguem