Unlocking Catalytic Capital for African SMEs: discover our new report

 

In a new report entitled “Using Catalytic Capital to Foster African Entrepreneurs in Underserved Markets,” published in partnership with the Catalytic Capital Consortium, I&P showcases the effectiveness of catalytic capital in supporting African SMEs, offering recommendations to expand its use.

 

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So Fresh

Sector of activity: Agro-food
Status: Investissement en capital
Associed fund: I&P Expansion, IPAE 2
Entrepreneur: Olagoke Balogun, Abimbola Balogun
Employees: 115
Country: Nigeria
A propos:

 

So Fresh is Nigeria’s pioneer and market leader in the healthy food Quick Service Restaurant space (serving notably salads, juices, smoothies, sandwiches, parfaits, etc.).

The company was founded in 2010, initially selling whole fruits and vegetables, and later evolved in 2013 with the introduction of healthy meals.

Today, So Fresh operates 15 outlets in Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja), and also offers delivery services to selected communities, through its website and social media channels.

 

The entrepreneurs

So Fresh was co-founded by Olagoke Balogun ("Goke") and Abimbola Balogun.

Olagoke Balogun is the CEO of So Fresh. He has accumulated a wealth of experience spanning some 20 years across several industries and functions including food & beverage, oil & gas, marketing, sales, production and operations. He is also a graduate of the Stanford SEED program.

Abimbola Balogun studied law and was called to the Nigerian bar in November 2006. She had a 5-year stint as a legal practitioner and now 10 years as an entrepreneur. She is a Human Resource professional, and an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). She is a Goldman Sachs Scholar and has a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management.

 

Partnership with I&P 

The partnership between SoFresh and I&P, through its fund I&P Afrique Entrepreneurs 2, aims to:

• Support with further expansion across Nigeria

• Enhance the ESG impact profile of the business

• Strengthen senior management

• Expand product offerings by introducing prepackaged meals sold through 3rd party vendors

•Support with marketing and brand management

 

Expected Impacts

• Providing decent direct employment opportunities, especially for women, with each new outlet opened

• Sourcing over 90% of inputs from local suppliers

• Reinforcing the company’ ESG strategy, and notably providing health insurance, transport allowance and housing allowance for all staff

• Providing Nigerians with healthy, quality and fresh meals

 

 

 

In portfolio since: 2022
en-savoir-plus

I&P publishes its Annual Impact Report

 

I&P is pleased to present its Annual Impact Report, that presents the collective results of our different programs and funds.

The report presents an overview of I&P's activities and impact methodology and goes through our six impact pillars : developing Africa entrepreneurship, creating decent jobs, providing SDG-aligned goods and services, promoting women's empowerment, strengthening the local economic fabric and fostering environmentally-friendly development.

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« Ce fonds privé qui fait grandir les PME africaines » : An article from Anne Cheyvialle on I&P for Le Figaro

 

 

In this article from Le Figaro, Anne Cheyvialle describes the rise of the Burkinabe agricultural processing company Agroserv, now the leading player in the maize value chain in Burkina Faso and on its way to becoming one of the most important players in West Africa, and how I&P, through its various financing and support vehicles, has contributed to this growth.

 

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"Manifesto for the financing and support of entrepreneurship in Africa"

 

As I&P celebrates its 20th year of activity, the team is pleased to present its "Manifesto for the financing and support of entrepreneurship in Africa.

Based on 20 years of learning, entrepreneurial adventures, successes as well as failures and challenges, this manifesto aims to share with you the five best practices or core approaches that we believe are essential if we want to accomplish our mission to serve African entrepreneurs.

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