An insurance engineer and graduate of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute, Patrice Dibonan Koné built a solid career at Ecobank before leaving it all behind to found M3Finance Institute – a professional training platform dedicated to banking careers in Africa. He tells us about his journey, his transition, and the tangible impact of Entourage experts.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I am Patrice Dibonan Koné, a graduate in insurance engineering (Advanced Studies in Insurance) from INP-HB. I began my career in investment banking at Ecobank in 2018, where I worked on numerous major transactions in Côte d’Ivoire and across the sub-region. I then led the analyst team for five years before launching M3Finance in 2025. Since its creation, M3Finance has already trained over 200 banking professionals in more than ten African countries.
What motivated you to leave a stable position to become an entrepreneur?
I have been driven by an entrepreneurial spirit for a long time. At 17, while in 11th grade (Science track), I was already giving private lessons and taking on small jobs. In 2016, with no prior experience, I co-founded a training organization. But I quickly realized that I first needed to gain solid experience. In 2018, I joined Ecobank, where I had the privilege of learning from remarkable people. I am especially grateful to Paul-Harry AITHNARD, my Managing Director, as well as Jean-Marc ANEY and the late Adonis SEKA, my Directors within the Corporate Bank. I thank them all for their trust and for the invaluable opportunity they gave me to train and grow alongside them.
How did you hear about Entourage?
On LinkedIn, through figures like Sylvie Becker, Wilfrid Dorego… and of course Stanislas Zézé. Knowing I needed to avoid common beginner mistakes, I saw Entourage as the opportunity to get concrete advice from seasoned professionals. I booked a session with Stan in January 2025, which I actually attended from a hospital bed. That session had a big impact on me because, despite the circumstances, I received clear strategic advice on preparing my exit from banking, internal organization, and action prioritization.
I then had a one-on-one with Nabou Fall on communication and positioning for M3Finance. Later, I attended the Entourage networking dinner in Abidjan, where I was able to talk with several experts like Marc Wabi, who advised me on pricing training offers; Youssouf Carius, who discussed balancing personal and professional life and setting up family support systems for my business; and finally, Moulaye Tabouré, who suggested ways to better organize my work. This last conversation helped me design a tailored offer for my senior clientele, and indeed, more and more senior executives are now enrolling in our programs.
That evening, I took extensive notes, making the most of every exchange—whether with experts or other entrepreneurs. It was truly a masterclass in networking and inspiration.
On which aspects did these experts help you?
The Entourage experts helped me clarify and structure my offer, refining my pricing to better reflect the value I deliver. They also provided methods to better organize my daily operations and strategically plan my trainings, certifications, and cohorts. Thanks to them, I’ve gained more confidence and boldness in my communication, strengthening my positioning. I also received valuable advice on involving my family in my business and optimizing internal management to create a stronger, more aligned environment for M3Finance’s growth.
What concrete results have you achieved since these sessions?
I organized my first practical workshop in Abidjan (100% free) with about twenty students at Impact Hub Abidjan thanks to a recommendation from Nabou Fall. Today, my online panels have become regular, and I’m preparing to bring them into in-person formats, with the goal of doubling the number of participants and expanding my network of speakers.
What are your ambitions for M3Finance?
To become the reference in Africa for practical, certification-based banking training, particularly in credit analysis. I want to continue offering content that is immediately applicable, tailored to real-world conditions, to create the greatest positive impact on the operational performance of African finance professionals.
Lastly, how would you rate Entourage?
I’d give it 9/10. Being able to connect high-level experts with aspiring professionals like me is invaluable. There’s still room for development, but for a platform that’s not even a year old, it’s impressive.
If, like Patrice Koné, you’re looking for personalized, directly applicable advice, book a session with our experts on Entourage:
