Intra-Africa trade received a major financial boost as the International finance cooperation (IFC), pledged a $2m trade finance guarantee to Bank of Africa Côte d’Ivoire (BOACI) for the provision of loans to small businesses in the country.

Although Côte d’Ivoire is one of the strongest and most diversified economies in West Africa, a statement released by the World Bank asserts that its smaller businesses still struggle to obtain the finance and support needed to expand or take on more employees.