Ivory Coast M’Bahiakro residents urged to embrace banking services amid national financial inclusion drive
Authorities in Ivory Coast have launched a sweeping financial awareness campaign in M’Bahiakro, aiming to increase access to banking services and improve financial inclusion in the region, which continues to lag behind the national average.
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, residents of M’Bahiakro in the Iffou region gathered at the local town hall for a sensitisation workshop under the theme “Financial services that meet the needs of the population.”
The initiative was spearheaded by the General Directorate of the Treasury and Public Accounting as part of its 2025 strategy to tackle regional disparities in banking access.
“The Iffou region, with a banking rate of just 6.9% compared to the national average of 31.2%, remains significantly underserved,” explained Debi Yaba Innocent, the local treasurer.
He emphasised the importance of the campaign in demystifying financial services and encouraging the population to open bank accounts.
During a panel discussion led by representatives from various financial institutions, participants were introduced to the different types of accounts available and guided through procedures for account opening.
These sessions aimed to build public confidence in formal banking systems.
First Deputy Mayor Koffi Nathan Magloire applauded the initiative, calling financial inclusion “a key driver in the fight against poverty,” and highlighting its role in strengthening household resilience and fostering economic participation.
He also noted the municipality’s continued efforts to attract banking institutions to the locality.
Presiding over the meeting, Prefect Vé Kossounou Brigitte urged residents to align their needs with the right financial services and encouraged them to deposit their savings in formal financial institutions. “Though we lack a physical bank in M’Bahiakro, our region holds strong economic potential and is ripe for investment,” she said.
This year’s campaign targets three regions with the lowest banking rates in the country: Mé (6.2%), Bounkani (3.2%), and Iffou (6.9%). Following M’Bahiakro, the initiative will move to Prikro and Ouellé—also part of the Iffou region.
Authorities hope the campaign will contribute to gradually raising Ivory Coast’s overall banking rate, which remains among the lowest in Africa. The event concluded with visits to information stands set up by participating banks and financial institutions.
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