Côte d’Ivoire: WIDU.africa programme aims to mobilize diaspora savings to fund SMEs

German cooperation, through GIZ, launched the WIDU.africa programme in Plateau on 28 October 2026. It aims to channel part of diaspora remittances into productive investment in Ivorian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, while providing technical support to help them grow and create jobs. Dr Yao Sylvère Konan called for family solidarity to be turned into productive capital, while German ambassador Matthias Veltin stressed that remittances can finance income-generating activities. First launched in Ghana and Cameroon, the programme also operates in several other African countries and is scheduled to end in October 2028.