GCPF Partners with NSIA Banque to Promote Green Finance in Côte d’Ivoire

Zurich/Abidjan, 5 May 2025 – The Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF), a climate-focused blended finance fund managed by Swiss impact asset manager responsibility, and NSIA Banque Cote d’Ivoire (NSIA Banque CI), one of Côte d’Ivoire’s leading commercial banks, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing climate-friendly investments and supporting the green transition in Cote d’Ivoire. Through a total senior debt facility of EUR 20 million, this collaboration is set to develop NSIA Banque CI’s green lending capacities, focusing on clean energy and energy efficiency projects in the country.

Scaling up sustainable finance solutions

With the GCPF’s long terms facility along with the tailored advisory and Technical Assistance support, the bank aims to promote adoption of green technologies in Cote d’Ivoire with the focus of financing small- to mid-scale solar PV rooftop projects for its corporate and SME clients, as well as energy efficiency initiatives in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors.  By further scaling these climate friendly investments, the partnership ultimately supports NSIA Banque CI in the successful implementation of its decarbonization strategy and various impactful climate finance initiatives, aimed to create a conducive local ecosystem for green lending.

A milestone investment for GCPF in West Africa

This transaction marks GCPF’s first investment in Cote d’Ivoire and its inaugural financial institution exposure in West Africa. Cote d’Ivoire, one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most dynamic economies, has experienced consistent economic growth over recent decades. However, the country faces significant climate challenges, with shifting weather patterns and extreme climate events threatening key economic sectors of the country. Hence, mobilizing the climate finance solutions in the country is essential for its sustainable growth.

David Diaz Formidoni, Head of FI investments, Climate Finance at responsAbility said: “This collaboration reflects the growing importance of climate finance in West Africa and the commitment of both GCPF and NSIA Banque CI to driving impactful change in the region. Supporting the scaling of green lending portfolios with our tailored made long term facilities and advisory support in regions like West Africa is key to driving impactful change.”

Honoré Assoi, Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at NSIA Banque CI said: “Partnering with GCPF enables us to enhance our green lending capabilities and support Cote d’Ivoire ’s sustainability goals. This investment marks an important step in our efforts to growth our green portfolio and implement impactful decarbonization strategies to foster sustainable development in our country.”

About the Global Climate Partnership Fund (GCPF)

The Global Climate Partnership was established by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), KfW Entwicklungsbank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2009 as a public-private partnership. Junior catalytic capital is provided by BMU, the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) of the UK, Denmark’s development cooperation (Danida). Other private and public investors include ASN Bank, Ärzteversorgung Westfalen-Lippe, FMO, OeEB, Sparkasse Bremen, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Heilsarmee.

About responsAbility Investments AG

responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes. These themes directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.

Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 16.3 billion in impact investments. With over 270 employees collaborating across 7 offices, as of 31 December 2024 the company manages USD 5.4 billion in assets across approximately 300 portfolio companies in around 70 countries. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G plc, the international savings, and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.

About NSIA Banque Cote d’Ivoire SA

A subsidiary of the pan-African NSIA Group, which operates across 12 countries and stands as a regional leader in insurance and banking, NSIA Banque CI is an integral part of the Group’s banking division, encompassing three banks (Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea) and two branches (Senegal and Togo) in West Africa.

Publicly listed on the West African Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), NSIA Banque CI maintains a robust network of over 80 branches throughout Côte d’Ivoire, including specialised centres dedicated to corporate banking. The bank further extends its reach through a network of more than 120 ATMs and a representative office in Paris (France), serving the financial needs of the Ivorian diaspora. Through this structure, NSIA Banque CI affirms its position as a trusted financial partner for both individual and corporate clients.

In alignment with its values and long-term vision, NSIA Banque CI is firmly committed to responsible business practices. As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, the Bank adheres to the ten principles relating to human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By joining a network of over 19,000 businesses across 170 countries, NSIA Banque CI reaffirms its commitment to positive social impact and its dedication to its employees, clients, partners, service providers, and the communities it serves.