I&P Acceleration finances more than 25 new companies in 2025

In 2025, I&P Acceleration financed more than 25 new businesses across Africa: a concrete springboard for impact entrepreneurs.

By mobilizing public and private partners: the European Commission via AFD, Climate KIC, Gaïa Impact Fund, GIZ, Green Climate Fund (GCF), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Proparco, Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) is continuing its commitment to high-impact African entrepreneurs through its acceleration programs.

Since the beginning of the year, 26 new start-ups and SMEs have joined the I&P Acceleration portfolio, benefiting from an average initial disbursement of €65,000 (out of a total ticket of €160,000 in seed funding on average per company) and tailored support to strengthen their development and their social, economic, and environmental impact. 

These companies illustrate the complementary nature of I&P's acceleration programs. Operating in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Zimbabwe via Cameroon, these young companies, which are innovating in key sectors, are joining one of the three acceleration programs currently being rolled out by I&P: 

• I&P Acceleration FARM, to support sustainable and inclusive agriculture; 
• CATAL1.5°T, to stimulate climate innovation; 
• I&P Digital Energy, to expand access to energy through digital technology. 

I&P Acceleration FARM

Implemented with the support of Proparco, the I&P Acceleration FARM program finances and supports young companies in the agricultural and agri-food sector in six sub-Saharan African countries. The goal is to strengthen food resilience and promote inclusive growth. 

“Agriculture is one of the drivers of growth in African economies. It is also the largest source of employment. Between 70% and 80% of rural employment in Africa is linked to agriculture (World Bank, FAO). We're delighted to be working with Proparco on this FARM (Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission) program, which aims to strengthen food security while helping to transform the agricultural sector (by supporting innovative companies), with an impact on the entire agricultural value chain (logistics, processing, technology, services) and the potential to drive inclusive growth," explains Caty Diokhané, FARM program manager. 

Among the new companies receiving support are Kanel Pâtisserie in Senegal, run by three entrepreneurs committed to making sweet and savory pastries using local products, and Agro-Aquaculture in Guinea, which specializes in the production of young fish and training in above-ground fish farming.

Find out more about I&P Acceleration FARM

CATAL1.5°T

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), CATAL1.5°T supports innovative African start-ups and SMEs that develop innovative solutions to reduce CO2eq emissions and strengthen climate resilience.

These include Mayaki Trading in Niger, which specializes in solar energy markets, particularly solar kits, and construction and public works, and Vega Recycling in Togo, which transforms the plastic waste it collects into secondary raw materials in the form of plastic chips and granules for use by plastics manufacturers.

By supporting pioneering companies such as Mayaki Trading and Vega Recycling, CATAL1.5°T illustrates the capacity of African entrepreneurship to devise local solutions to global challenges.

CATAL1.5°T is a project implemented by GIZ, Climate KIC, and Investisseurs & Partenaires.

Find out more about CATAL1.5°T 

I&P Digital Energy

With support from the European Commission via AFD and in partnership with Gaïa Impact Fund, I&P Digital Energy supports start-ups that use digital technology to facilitate access to reliable and affordable energy.

In Zimbabwe, Need Energy connects and manages decentralized energy sources in real time, while in Burkina Faso, Solafrique facilitates access to water and electricity through solar solutions adapted to rural areas. These initiatives illustrate how digital technology is accelerating the energy transition in Africa.

With Digital Energy, I&P is betting on a connected Africa powered by local solutions, where digital innovation becomes a catalyst for equitable access to energy.

Find out more about I&P Digital Energy