I&P Accélération au Sahel

Ecofood is a Cameroonian company that operates in mass catering and started its activities with school catering and life base services. Today, it feeds more than 1500 students a day in the most prestigious primary and secondary schools in Yaoundé.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Stéphane NKONTCHOU is the founder of Ecofood. He grew up in Cameroon and then continued his studies in France, with two master's degrees in Mechanics from the Pierre et Marie Curie University and Arts et Métiers. After ten years of experience in industrial project management, he decided to come back to Cameroon to take care of a family business of which he became the General Manager. After this experience, he decided to found Ecofood.

THE PURPOSE OF THE FUNDING

Ecofood is supported by I&P through I&P Acceleration in Sahel, funded by the European Union.

The objectives of the funding are : 

• to acquire 3 vehicles for the distribution of meals in schools
• the fitting out of the new premises
• the implementation of an information system
• the preparation and execution of the marketing and communication strategy

Fisco is a Cameroonian company that markets household products (detergents, bleach, etc.) and para-pharmaceutical products (hydro-alcoholic gels, alcohol, etc.). The company has an artisanal production unit in Bonabéri, in Douala and has activities that now extend to 3 regions of the country (Littoral, Centre, North).

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Fisco was created by Joel Sikam, a Cameroonian with a degree in finance (Bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas). After starting his career in the United States in equity and wealth management with family offices, he returned and founded his own company. Joël Sikam is also very active in the GICAM which is the employers' association of Cameroon.

PURPOSE OF THE FUNDING

Fisco is supported by I&P through I&P Acceleration in Sahel. The funding granted will upgrade in safety and quality  by financing the facilities and the acquisition of the necessary equipment. The program will also allow the company to finance the acquisition of a new vehicle for distribution and to support the company in the execution of its communication strategy. 

Distrib Concept is a Burkinabe agribusiness start-up that aims to revolutionize the way agricultural products are preserved. Its solution: to dry and then grind leaves and vegetables into spices and broths in order to extend their shelf life beyond one year. The company produces and then markets dried vegetables, spices and instant broths in sticks of 2 to 3 grams marketed under the brand Leila. This ingenious solution allowed the company to finish in second place in 2020 at the Pierre Castel Innovation Award.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Distrib Concept was created in 2016 by Inoussa Sorgho, a former civil service executive. Holder of a master's degree in Economic Sciences and Management of Enterprises and Organizations (EGEO), his commitment and dynamism, have earned him several laurels:

• Winner of the Castel 2020 prize
• Best Packaging Award at JAAL 2019
• Silver medalist at the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad 2002

SINERGI BURKINA'S CONTRIBUTIONS

Distrib Concept is supported by Sinergi Burkina through  I&P Acceleration in Sahel whose objectives are :

• Strengthen the annual production capacity
• Strengthen the accounting and Management Information System (MIS)
• Diversify the clientele and products
• Support HACCP certification

EXPECTED IMPACTS

• Formalization and securing of jobs
• Creation of new jobs
• Valuation of local products
• Establishment of good governance
• Payment of taxes and social contributions

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​

Sapta is a company producing and selling cleaning products in Niger. After a set-up phase, the company began production of multi-purpose powdered detergents under the Sapta brand. Today, it is the only company in Niger that produces this type of product locally. The company is also interested in the solid soap market for which it offers mainly 120g and 180g soaps under the brand name Haske. These soaps are multi-purpose and can be used for washing, cleaning and toiletry.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Sapta was founded in 2015 by Mohamed Ahmed Abdourahamane, who after his Higher Technician's Certificate (BTS) in marketing, obtained in 2007, started in the agribusiness as an importer of rice and oil between Niger, Benin and Nigeria. Following the crisis of the Naira in 2009 and the drop in the price of oil in 2014 that shook Nigeria, the commercial activities of the promoter in the direction of Nigeria were strongly affected. It is on this occasion that he identified the sanitary products sector as a good investment opportunity in Niger where he is originally from.

SINERGI'S CONTRIBUTION

Sapta is supported by Sinergi and I&P through I&P Acceleration in Sahel. The main objective of this project, which will be deployed over a period of 24 months, is to supply raw materials from Côte d'Ivoire in order to prepare Sapta for the consolidation of production and to mitigate any future risk of stock outs.

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​

Medivas is a company specialized in medical evacuations (air and road), on-site medical assistance, emergency medical coverage during events and medical training in Côte d'Ivoire. It is the first company in this sector that is managed by Ivorians.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Medivas (Medical Vehicle Aircraft Assistance Services) was created in 2014 by Mr. Herbert Kouamé Bi, a dynamic promoter, who has more than 20 years of experience in emergency medical assistance.Holder of an MBA in Management and Marketing and a National First Aid Certificate - National First Aid Training from the Red Cross Ivory Coast, Mr. Herbert Kouamé Bi has accumulated his professional experiences mainly as Manager and Coordinator of operations of international and local companies in the same sector, before creating the company.

PURPOSE OF THE FUNDING

Medivas benefits from I&P Acceleration in Sahel program, which is implemented in Côte d'Ivoire by Comoé Capital sponsored by I&P. The support will allow the company to acquire a new ambulance for medical evacuations by land. Medivas will also benefit from the support of several consultants who will improve the governance of the company, revitalize the accounting and finance function and put in place a complete procedure manual for the management of operational risks including the aspects of patient safety, ambulance drivers and risk prevention.

About Comoé 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 →