Question 1

What is Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa?

Accepted Answer

Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa is a savings and credit cooperative operating in Côte d'Ivoire. It is a member institution of the Union Nationale des Coopératives d'Épargne et de Crédit de Côte d'Ivoire (UNACOOPEC-CI), the country's leading microfinance network.

As part of UNACOOPEC-CI's extensive network of 24 cooperatives, it provides accessible financial services to members in the Gagnoa region, focusing on financial inclusion for underserved populations. The cooperative operates under the mutual and cooperative principles that define microfinance institutions in West Africa.

Question 2

When was Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa founded?

Accepted Answer

The specific founding date of Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa is not publicly available. It operates as part of the UNACOOPEC-CI network, which traces its origins to 1976 when the first savings and credit cooperatives were established in Côte d'Ivoire.

UNACOOPEC-CI was founded to promote development in rural and semi-urban areas through accessible financial services. Over more than 45 years, the network has grown to serve over 1 million members, making it the leader in financial inclusion in Côte d'Ivoire.

Question 3

Where is Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa is headquartered in Gagnoa, the capital city of the Gôh Region in central-western Côte d'Ivoire. Gagnoa is also the capital of the Gôh-Djiboua District.

With a population of approximately 277,000 inhabitants, Gagnoa is the ninth-largest city in Côte d'Ivoire. The city is an important center in the "cacao loop" (boucle du cacao), reflecting its significance in the country's cocoa-producing regions.

Question 4

Where does Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa operate?

Accepted Answer

The cooperative primarily serves Gagnoa and surrounding communities within the Gôh Region. Gagnoa Department encompasses 12 sub-prefectures including Bayota, Dahiépa-Kéhi, Dignago, Dougroupalégnaoa, Doukouyo, Galebre-Galébouo, Gnagbodougnoa, Guibéroua, Ouragahio, Sérihio, and Yopohué.

As a member of the UNACOOPEC-CI network, it benefits from connections to over 144 service points across Côte d'Ivoire. The Gagnoa region is characterized by dense forest zones (now largely degraded) and extensive cocoa and coffee cultivation, which form the economic foundation of the area.

Question 5

What services does Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa offer?

Accepted Answer

As part of the UNACOOPEC-CI network, Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa offers a comprehensive range of financial services including:

Savings Products: Multiple savings account options, deposit products, and the COOPEC Épargne Bonus program featuring quarterly prize drawings of 200,000 CFA francs for eligible savers.

Credit Products: Member loans tied to savings capacity, including personal loans, agricultural credit for cocoa and coffee farmers, and business development financing. Online loan calculators help members plan borrowing.

Transfer and Payment Services: Money transfer services, salary domiciliation, pension payments, and electronic payment solutions.

Insurance Products: Micro-insurance offerings including funeral insurance, health insurance, and savings-linked insurance products designed for low-income populations.

Government Social Programs: Implementation of state programs including PS-GOUV (government social programs) and the National Program for Participatory Microfinance (PNMP-CI).

Financial Education: Training and advisory services to help members develop sound financial management practices and entrepreneurship skills.

Question 6

What makes Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa unique?

Accepted Answer

The cooperative operates on democratic mutualist principles where members are both owners and beneficiaries. Each member purchases shares and participates in governance through elected representatives, with decisions made using the "one person, one voice" principle at General Assemblies.

As part of UNACOOPEC-CI, it benefits from ISO 9001:2015 certification, making it part of the only Ivorian microfinance institution with international quality recognition. The network has received the Best Microfinance Institution of Côte d'Ivoire award.

The cooperative serves Gagnoa's diverse population, including the indigenous Bété people and numerous communities from across Côte d'Ivoire. The region is home to important agricultural production, with over 46,000 tons of cocoa and 9,000 tons of coffee produced annually alongside food crops.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa?

Accepted Answer

Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit de Gagnoa is a Savings and Credit Cooperative (Coopérative d'Épargne et de Crédit), which is a specific category of microfinance institution in Côte d'Ivoire. These institutions are regulated under Ivorian Law No. 96-562 of July 22, 1996, governing mutual and cooperative savings and credit institutions.

As a cooperative, it operates as a democratic, not-for-profit organization where members collectively own the institution and pool their savings to create a common fund from which loans are granted. It is supervised by the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), which oversees microfinance regulation throughout the WAEMU zone.

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