I&P Acceleration in Sahel: What response to the covid-19 crisis?

 

The covid-19 has shaken up our habits, our ways of thinking and acting, but also the activities of many men and women entrepreneurs.

To deal with the economic impacts generated by this pandemic, I&P, through the I&P Acceleration in Sahel program, is providing additional funding to the companies most affected by the health crisis.

 

 

English

Editions Afrique Lecture

Sector of activity: Education & Training
Status: Investissement en capital
Entrepreneur: Chérif Louan
Country: Niger
A propos:

Created by Chérif Louan, Editions Afrique Lecture (EAL) specializes in the publishing and production of after-school books (annals of middle and high school classes). Its editorial line also enables it to publish works of literature (in French and national languages), essays and textbooks (course books, books, etc.). Editions Afrique Lecture offers its know-how to structures wishing to produce and/or publish their documents. 

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Cherif LOUAN is a publisher, graphic designer, editor and modeler. He holds a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) in Applied Mathematics and Physics (with the use of computer tools) from Kharkov State University in Ukraine - USSR. Author, co-author, editor and composer of several books (3rd and 4th grade mathematics, descriptive statistics textbook, physics and chemistry textbook for 6th to 3rd grade), he has 15 years of textbook composition at Editions Afique Lecture.  He is the president of the network of publishers in Niger and managing director for the book sector at the Agency for the Promotion of Enterprises and Cultural Industries.

 

ABOUT SINERGI NIGER

SINERGI S.A. is a private investment company created in 2006 and supported by I&P with a group of key individual and institutional shareholders in the Nigerien and international SME support landscape. Headed by Ibrahima Djibo, its objective is to contribute to the economic and social development of Niger through the promotion of entrepreneurship and the development of SMEs. SINERGI S.A. provides the means for entrepreneurs in Niger to achieve their growth projects by providing long-term financing and local support.  → Find out more about Sinergi​

In portfolio since: 2018

Syn’el

Sector of activity: Agro-food
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Ella Assié
Country: Ivory Coast
A propos:

Syn'el is a company specialized in the artisanal production of sorbets on sticks under the Paletas brand, made from entirely natural juices. In Côte d'Ivoire, Syn'el is the only producer of natural sorbets. The company has 6 flavours according to the seasons and 2 product ranges.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Syn'el was founded in 2017 by Ella Assié, a young entrepreneur who graduated from the University of South Africa in management and cost accounting after obtaining a certificate in Accountability at the Abidjan School of Information and Management. She has also worked for several years as a consultant, assistant and administrative and financial manager in various organisations.

CONTRIBUTION OF COMOE CAPITAL

The I&P Acceleration in Sahel program, implemented in Côte d'Ivoire by Comoé Capital, will enable Syn'el to relaunch its activities, develop a product marketing strategy and increase its production capacity. The company will also benefit from the support of several consultants who will provide marketing and sales support.

In terms of impact, the company expects to create 9 new jobs by 2022.

 

ABOUT COMOE CAPITAL

Comoé Capital is the first impact investment fund dedicated to the financing and support of Ivorian SMEs and start-ups. Headed by Issa Sidibé, Comoé Capital is the fifth African fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Burkina Faso (Sinergi Burkina), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). →Site of Comoé Capital.

 

In portfolio since: 2020

Citrine Corporation

Sector of activity: Agro-food
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Mohamed Diaby
Country: Ivory Coast
A propos:

Citrine Corporation is a company specialized in the processing of cassava into fresh attiéké (cassava semolina) and placali (cassava paste) in the south of Côte d'Ivoire, more precisely in Grand-Bassam. The company markets its products on the local and international market. Since the release of the products on the market, they are highly appreciated by the local community and the diaspora, for their quality and their branding which highlights the pride of the African identity.

 

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Mohamed Diaby holds an MBA in International Business Management which he will complete in 2014 at the École Supérieure de Management de France and an M.sc. in Banking, Finance and Risk Management which he will complete in 2012 at Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK. He has six years of experience in food trading.

CONTRIBUTION OF COMOE CAPITAL

The I&P Acceleration in Sahel funding will enable the company to optimise and increase its production capacity. The company will also benefit from the support of several consultants who will support the local commercial strategy, the optimisation of production processes and accounting and financial processes, the training of employees on quality and hygiene measures and on environmental issues, particularly with regard to the management of waste from the activity.

In terms of impact, the company plans to create 23 new jobs by 2022.

 

 

 

In portfolio since: 2020

Yam Agro Industrie

Sector of activity: Agro-food
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Steve YAMEOGO
Country: Burkina Faso
A propos:

YAM AGRO is a company that operates in the food industry. Created in 2019, it specializes in the production of syrups (bissap, ginger) and mango jam.

 

THE ENTREPRENEUR

YAM AGRO INDUSTRIE was founded by Steve YAMEOGO. Passionate about the agricultural sector and having grown up in the food processing industry, he holds an engineering degree in electromechanical engineering from the Private Polytechnic Institute of Casablanca (Morocco).

 

CONTRIBUTION OF SINERGI BURKINA

YAM AGRO is accompanied by SINERGI BURKINA within the framework of the I&P Acceleration program in Sahel.

The main objective of this partnership is to :

  • Improve product quality and increase syrup production capacity
  • Consolidate its gains in the market (strengthen its positioning and build loyalty among existing customers) and win a larger customer base at the national level
  • Restructuring the company and strengthening its management system
  • Diversify the company's products through the production of bissap wine

 

EXPECTED IMPACTS

  • Consolidation and formalization of 7 existing jobs and creation of 10 new formal jobs for young people and women
  • Contribution to the national economy through the payment of taxes to the tax authorities 
  • Contribution to the development of agricultural sectors through the valorization of local products

 

About Sinergi Burkina

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).  → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina​​

In portfolio since: 2020

La Maison Fenel

Sector of activity: Industry, Textile
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Angéline TRAORE YOUGBARE
Country: Burkina Faso
A propos:

 

La Maison Fenel produces and markets fashion accessories (fitted accessories, ordinary sewing accessories and leather goods accessories) from local fabrics woven in Burkina Faso (Faso Danfani). 

 

The Entrepreneur

Fenel was founded in 2019 by Angéline TRAORE YOUGBARE, who before creating the company, worked for 10 years as manager and main designer at Nagteedo Création, a company specialized in fashion and pearl jewelry. Passionate about fashion since 2007, it is in 2019 that she started to develop local woven loincloths such as the Faso Dan fani.

 

Discover our video report on Maison Fenel

 

Contribution of I&P Acceleration in Sahel and Sinergi Burkina

La Maison Fenel is supported by Sinergi Burkina as part of the I&P Acceleration program in Sahel.

The main objectives of this partnership are to :

  • Increase production capacity and product quality
  • Diversify the company's products by launching a range of ready-to-wear products made from Faso Danfani
  • Set up an internal accounting system kept by a professional
  • Strengthen the sales force and the visibility of the company 
  • Restructuring the company and strengthening its management system

 

Expected Impacts

  • Consolidation of 7 existing full-time jobs and creation of 6 new formal jobs for young people and full-time women
  • Contribution to the national economy through the payment of taxes to the tax authorities
  • Increased revenues for Faso Danfani loincloth weavers
  • Creation of a strong added value through the valorization of local products
  • Reducing imports of fashion accessories and strengthening exports

 

Read more

Company's website

 


About Sinergi Burkina

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).  → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina​

 

In portfolio since: 2020

Salgatech

Sector of activity: Energy
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Silvère SALGA
Country: Burkina Faso
A propos:

Salgatech is a company operating in the renewable energy sector. It specialises in the production and installation of multifunctional cold rooms and ice machines that it markets in Burkina Faso.

 

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Salgatech SARL was created in 2018 by Silvère SALGA. Inventor, innovator, writer and trainer, Silvère SALGA is a seasoned expert in entrepreneurship, research and development, and green energy. He is the author of several scientific works and discoveries such as, Tensis system, The Theory of Transforming Humanity and The Theory of the Changing Universe and has received several awards including the Thomas Sankara Medal for Invention and Innovation and the 2nd Prize for the Best Productive Energy Innovation of the Energy Week, and Renewable Energy in Africa (SEERA). 

 

CONTRIBUTION OF SINERGI BURKINA

Salgatech is supported by SINERGI BURKINA as part of the I&P Acceleration in Sahel programme. The main objective of this partnership is to :

  • Relaunch and strengthen the production capacities of solar cold rooms 
  • To set up a "cold landlord" service or service for renting solar cold room spaces.
  • Set up an internal accounting system run by a professional.
  • Strengthen the sales force

 

EXPECTED IMPACTS

  • Consolidation and formalisation of 17 existing jobs, 6 of which are full-time and 12 new formal jobs for young people and women.
  • Contribution to the economy through the payment of taxes to the tax administration
  • Reduction of imports and/or the use of electric cold rooms with harmful consequences for the environment 
  • Strengthen the agricultural and food sectors by reducing post-harvest losses.

 

About Sinergi Burkina

 Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).  → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina

In portfolio since: 2020

E'Sens

Sector of activity: Agriculture, Cosmétique
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Pierre Yves N’Goran et Karl Akueson-Gannyi
Country: Ivory Coast
A propos:

Épices et Essences de Côte d'Ivoire (E'Sens) specializes in the production of citrus essential oils (bigarade, bergamot). The company sources its essential oils from a network of 80 small-scale producers in Côte d'Ivoire, revitalizing a production that had been abandoned.

Watch our video report on E'Sens

 

The Entrepreneurs

E'Sens was created in 2016 by two young Ivorian finance professionals who saw the potential of an industry that had been abandoned in the Bas Sassandra region.

  • Pierre-Yves N'Goran (Co-founder and Executive Director)

He holds a Master's degree in International Business from Hult International Business School, London, England. Between 2011 and 2014, he participated in several professional finance rotation programmes, notably at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Ace Global Depository. In 2014, he returned to Côte d'Ivoire where he held the position of Credit Analyst at NSIA Banque Côte d'Ivoire for four years. Today, he is co-founder of E'Sens and is in charge of running the business full time as the company's Executive Director.

  • Karl Akueson-Gannyi (Co-Founder)

After graduating in chemical engineering with a Master's degree in Finance in England, he worked for several years at BMO Capital Markets, London (investment bank specialising in mining and oil operations - finance and M&A department). In 2014, he decided to return to Côte d'Ivoire and set up his own business by creating the financial group La Financière de l'Eléphant (LAFINELE), which advises, designs and creates companies to carry out several projects, particularly in mining, agriculture and technological innovation. Karl co-founded the company E'Sens in 2016.

 

I&P support

E'Sens benefits from the seed funding of the I&P Acceleration in Sahel programme which is implemented in Ivory Coast by Comoé Capital sponsored by I&P. The objectives are :

  • increase the company's efficiency and optimisation of logistics
  • increasing the area of E'Sen plantations
  • support and evaluation of environmental and agronomic issues

 

Expected Impacts

  • Creation of new jobs
  • Support for the network of small producers with whom E'Sens works

 

 

About I&P Acceleration in the Sahel

The I&P Accélération au Sahel program, supported by the European Union, is aimed at start-ups and small businesses in the Sahel region, with one main objective: to give them access to the financing and skills they need to enable their development and thus promote job creation. Find out more →

 

About Comoé Capital

Comoé Capital is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting Ivorian SMEs and start-ups. Headed by Issa Sidibé, Comoé Capital is the fifth African fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Burkina Faso (Sinergi Burkina), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). Comoé Capital website → 

In portfolio since: 2020

Afrik Bovia

Sector of activity: Agro-food
Status: Financement d'amorçage
Entrepreneur: Mauhamed Lamine SY
Country: Burkina Faso
A propos:

Afrik Bovia is a cattle farm created in 2011 by Mauhamed Lamine SY specialized in the production of cow's milk, located in Bobo-Dioulasso, the economic capital of Burkina Faso.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Holder of a high school diploma from the Islamic University of Medina, he has several experiences in food and dairy production. He worked as a representative in Riyadh of the French company SIBERT PATENT specialized in the production and installation of horticultural greenhouses but also as a fruit and vegetable import manager at SHADEL COMPANY in partnership with Flex Faso. In 2006, he launched into entrepreneurship by creating GULF AFRICAN GROUP, a company specialized in the export of mango and beef. 

 

CONTRIBUTIONS BY SINERGI BURKINA

Afrik Bovia is supported by SINERGI BURKINA as part of the I&P Acceleration program in the Sahel, with funding of 57,000 € (36,575,000 FCFA).

The main objective of this partnership is to :

  • To have adequate material and human resources for the establishment of a production unit of yogurt and pasteurized milk (semi-handcrafted dairy).
  • Set up the yogurt and pasteurized milk production unit to enable the company to enhance its production and create more added value
  • Penetrate and conquer the market for cow's milk dairy products (100%) in the project area and more generally in Burkina Faso
  • Set up an internal accounting system kept by a professional

EXPECTED IMPACTS

  • Formalization of 10 existing jobs and the creation of 9 new formal and decent jobs for women and young people
  • Contribution to the national economy through the payment of taxes to the tax authorities
  • Better structuring and organization of the company
  • Establishment of good governance

 

ABOUT SINERGI BURKINA

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).  → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina

 

In portfolio since: 2020

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