In the Spotlight: Some inspiring women entrepreneurs from Côte d’Ivoire
#SheBuildsCI #WomenInIvoryCoast #EmpowerHer #LeadLikeAWoman
Côte d’Ivoire, known as “The Land of the Ivory,” is not only a country steeped in historical significance, but also is one of West Africa’s economic powerhouses. With a population nearing 30 million and the second-largest economy in the region after Nigeria, it boasts of the highest GDP per capita in mainland West Africa – second only to Cabo Verde. But beyond the statistics and symbolism, there’s a powerful movement taking shape: the rise of women entrepreneurs, who are indeed, transforming the country’s economic & social landscape.
Elephant Strength, Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Rise of Côte d’Ivoire’s Businesswomen
These enterprising women are not just navigating the business world, but they are redefining it. From bustling markets in Abidjan to rural agricultural cooperatives, women across Côte d’Ivoire are launching ventures in trade, agriculture, fashion, fintech & beyond. They are turning local challenges into opportunities and building businesses that create jobs, drive innovation & uplift communities.
Quite significantly, their journeys are anything but easy. Like many women entrepreneurs around the world, they face barriers to accessing capital, markets & decision-making spaces. Still, they persist – with resilience, creativity, and an unshakable vision for change. Support systems like Fin’Elle, WE-FI, and IFC-led partnerships are helping unlock their potential, but it would be sufficient to say that the momentum is driven by the women themselves!!
Meet Côte d’Ivoire’s Bold Women in Business
Here we highlight the stories and strategies of Côte d’Ivoire’s enterprising women, who, much like the country’s symbol of strength and endurance, the elephant, are charging forward with purpose and power into the future.
- Christelle Assirou, Founder of ICTINA
Christelle Assirou is the Founder of ICTINA, which is a business development and digital services firm, and she is a vocal advocate for women in the digital economy and has been recognized by UNESCO for her work in technology. In fact, this serial entrepreneur from Côte d’Ivoire, is revolutionizing e-commerce in her country and beyond.
She runs a business development and digital services firm, ICTINA, which was founded in 2015. An activist for the empowerment of women in the digital economy, last year she was named by UNESCO as one of the most remarkable women in technology.
Building on her success, she has moved forward to help women entrepreneurs in francophone Africa build the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.
In fact, she has contributed to the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s internet and digital ecosystem as one of the pioneers of the promotion of free and open-source technologies in the country and francophone Africa.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christelle-assirou-8204ab37/?originalSubdomain=ci
- Salimata Toh, Founder & CEO of Agribana
Salimata Toh is the Founder and CEO of Agribanana, a company based in Côte d’Ivoire that transforms banana plant waste into eco-friendly products. She is also an alumnus from Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and also a GoGettaz Impact Prize winner for her sustainable and climate-focused work.
Her business, Agribanana, utilizes banana tree waste – to create natural fibers, paper pulp, and biodegradable packaging, thus addressing both deforestation and plastic pollution. Her work has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State too.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimata-toh/?original
- Edith Kouassi, Co-founder & CEO of EcoPlast Innov
Edith Kouassi is CEO of EcoPlast Innov, a recycling plant that converts plastic waste into new products, highlighting a commitment to environmental responsibility.
The CITIZED application is a modernised waste collection and sorting tool developed by the company Ecoplast Innov, which is based in Côte d’Ivoire. Co-founded by Edith Kouassi, Ecoplast Innov heeded FNF Africa’s invitation to innovators, creatives and entrepreneurs on World Creativity and Innovation Day 2021 – for solutions established by their project in order to stay afloat or rethink their business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mobile application makes it possible to optimise the logistics chain by more easily mobilising plastic and pneumatic waste, monitoring collection and selective sorting processes.
In spite of facing blockages like lockdowns and other constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CITIZED mobile application is the first application in Côte d’Ivoire that will allow companies and households to follow the process of managing their waste.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C3%A9dith-kouassi-141a60165/?original
https://www.facebook.com/p/Edith-KOUASSI-100075711382839
- Marina Ananou, Founder, Vision N Vogue
When she was 20 years old, Marina Ananou took a courageous step ahead and started her own business – selling bags, shoes and clothes in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Her unique entrepreneurial spirit helped her to run her business for years, and eventually she was able to own her own shop.
But her vision was very forward-looking. While her business survived, she wanted it to thrive!! She wanted to go beyond selling basic products and provide more luxurious, high-quality items that could eventually boost her income.
So, after 13 years, she took the leap ahead and moved to a smaller shop so that she could afford to buy and sell quality products over quantity. And her new shop’s name: Vision N Vogue.
https://www.facebook.com/VisionNVogue
- Ahoua Touré, CEO Maison Manjou
Ahoua Touré, CEO of Maison Manjou, was young woman pioneering a new wave of ‘female’ business. After training as an Art Director, (having passed out from the University of Oregon School of Journalism in the United States), she returned to her home country of Côte d’Ivoire in 2017.
And in April 2020, guided by her passion, she decided to change her itinerary – to devote herself to gastronomy, and make it her core business.
Maison MANDJOU, is the first fine cookie factory, herbal tea salon and luxury caterer 100% Ivory Coast and African. It is the house of small sweet and salty pleasures, which makes you rediscover the art of the art of pleasing yourself, of offering and of receiving – all in the Ivorian way!!!!
The Maison Mandjou celebrates African heritage through culinary works meticulously designed to highlight the richness of the continent. And, if there is a title that can be attributed to this dynamic promoter, it is that of ambassador of African heritage!!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahoua-tour%C3%A9-60120a137/?original
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
