Digital, Tech

SheTOSS is a Senegalese company specializing in the installation and maintenance of prefabricated domestic biodigesters, a technology that converts organic waste into biogas for cooking and bio-compost for agriculture. Founded in 2022 by Frédérique Sheridan, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the energy transition in rural areas.

The entrepreneur

Frédérique Sheridan, a Dutch entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of SheTOSS, a company specializing in domestic biodigesters for rural areas. With degrees in physiotherapy and pediatric physical therapy, she completed Stanford's Seed Transformation Program in 2022.

Based in Senegal since 2013, she led VITALITE Senegal, connecting more than 11,000 households to solar energy, and co-founded a clinic in Thiès. After VITALITE's post-COVID difficulties, she launched SheTOSS to continue her commitment to the climate sector. Winner of the PFAN award in 2018, she also trained more than 100 young people in the basics of solar energy with GIZ in 2024.

Partnership with I&P and Teranga Capital

I&P has committed to working alongside SheTOSS:

• To finance 100 biodigesters and working capital to accelerate installations as part of its partnership with PNB, which plans to install 500 biodigesters.
• To assist the company in structuring its administrative and financial functions, supporting its growth and strengthening the quality of its internal management.
• To provide SheTOSS with a strategic partner to help it achieve its objectives.

Main impacts

ECLIPSE ER Cameroun SAS is a Cameroonian company created in September 2020, specializing in the supply, design, installation, and maintenance of solar power plants and commercial solar energy systems in Cameroon. The company focuses on EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) services as well as O&M (Operation and Maintenance) services for the residential, commercial, and mini-grid segments.

To ensure the efficient execution of each project it undertakes, the company uses platforms (equipment suppliers) to remotely monitor the installed solar plants. This enables real-time tracking of solar system performance. Through dedicated sensors and software, Eclipse can monitor energy production, the condition of solar panels, inverter performance, and even the site’s energy consumption.

The entrepreneur

Ismael Touani, an EPC specialist with over 15 years of experience in the field, most of it acquired in Canada, is the founder behind this project, which he describes as the project of his life. His goal is to facilitate access to reliable and green electricity while demonstrating that renewable energy power plant installations in Cameroon can meet the same quality standards found elsewhere in the world.

Partnership with I&P and Gaia Impact

Eclipse ER Cameroun is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a €4.8 million program designed to finance and support around a dozen start-ups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa that offer digital solutions for access to affordable energy. The program is backed by AFD and the EU. In Cameroon, it is implemented by I&P Cameroun/Fako Capital.

This partnership will enable the start-up to finance:

• The purchase of equipment for project implementation;
• The acquisition of new vehicles for staff and material transport;
• The purchase of software allowing the company to increase its digitalized operational processes from 50% to nearly 80%, marking a significant step in its digital transformation;
• The creation of a safety stock to ensure the timely execution of ongoing and upcoming projects;
• The strengthening of its team through the recruitment of new profiles.

Félin Express, founded in late 2023 in Ouagadougou, offers solar-powered electric mobility solutions tailored to African realities, combining scooter rental and sales with maintenance, insurance, and charging stations. In less than a year, the company has traveled more than 180,000 km, installed around 40 solar systems, and already avoided more than 11 tons of CO₂.

Entrepreneurs

Abraham BALIMA : An experienced manager, he has led teams and industrial units for the international Newrest group in Africa and Latin America. Upon his return to Burkina Faso, he co-founded Félin Express in late 2023 to offer professionals reliable, accessible, and field-appropriate solar-powered electric mobility, drawing on his rigor and all his past experience. 

Karim Ouedraogo : With a PhD in electronics and a background as an embedded systems engineer, he has spent nearly 20 years leading high-level technical projects in France for the automotive, rail, and nuclear industries. As co-founder of Félin Express, he designs the energy architecture, selects equipment, and ensures the technical reliability of the scooters and solar stations.  

Partnership with I&P and Néré Capital

I&P has partnered with Félin Express to:

• Strengthen the company's capabilities through the acquisition of new electric scooters and the installation of new solar stations;
• Strengthen the team's capabilities through the recruitment of key profiles;
• Develop and launch a digital platform for real-time monitoring and optimal fleet management;
• Set up specialized technical support to improve accounting, financial management, and internal organization.

Main Impacts

• Annual reduction of more than 292 tons of CO₂ thanks to solar electric mobility;
• Reduction in noise pollution and improvement in air quality in urban areas;
• Creation and sustainability of skilled jobs, with technical training for young people and the gradual inclusion of women;
• Increased energy independence for users, reducing dependence on the public grid and imported fuels;
• Implementation of an innovative digital platform for real-time monitoring, optimization, and proactive maintenance of the fleet.

Learn more

• Félin express website
• LinkedIn Page 
• Facebook Page 

EV.Tech is an Ivorian company specializing in the electric mobility sector, more specifically in the supply of recharging solutions for electric vehicles. The company offers complete solutions for electric vehicle recharging, including installation and maintenance of recharging stations, and offers the Neo Charging mobile application, which enables drivers to easily locate recharging stations in the NEO multi-operator network, consult their status in real time (availability, rates, etc.) and track their vehicle's state of charge.

The entrepreneurs

EV.Tech was founded in 2023 by Esther DAGRI and Florent THOMAS, two experienced entrepreneurs with nearly 30 years' experience in Côte d'Ivoire. Aware that charging infrastructure for electric vehicles was lagging behind, they launched NEO, the first national network of charging stations, to meet a crucial challenge: accelerating the energy transition and making electromobility accessible, reliable and connected.

Partnership with I&P and Gaia Impact

EV.Tech is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a 4.8 million euro program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by AFD and the EU. In Côte d'Ivoire, this program is implemented by Comoé Capital. 

This partnership will enable the start-up to:

• Finance the purchase of terminals to enable maximum expansion with strategic partners;
• Strengthen its team, mainly in sales;
• Approve the Mobile charging solution concept.

NeedEnergy is a Zimbabwean company that positions itself as a virtual power plant operator. To achieve this, NeedEnergy is deploying smart meters connected to its Memeza.ai platform. The platform monitors production, demand and prices for each decentralised energy source in real time, while anticipating market fluctuations.  

The entrepreneur

NeedEnergy was founded in 2019 by Leroy Nyangani, a young Zimbabwean entrepreneur with entrepreneurial experience in the delivery/restaurant sector.

Partnership with I&P and Gaia Impact

NeedEnergy is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a €4.8 million program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by the Agence Française de Développement and the European Union. In Zimbabwe, this programme is being implemented by Gaia Impact.

This partnership will enable the start-up to :

• Finance the purchase of smart meters to develop its operations, meet strong customer demand, and provide essential data to drive its Memeza.ai intelligent platform
• Improving its software to refine its assumptions, particularly on electricity trading and demand forecasts 
• Strengthen its team, mainly on the digital dimension of its solution, but also on the commercial side.

Read more about I&P Digital Energy

Based in Senegal, Senfrais is a refrigeration company specialized in the production of solar-powered refrigeration units that can be adapted to various types of vehicle (lorries, tricycles). This young company has added a digital dimension to its model, making it possible to track the temperature of refrigerated boxes in real time, in addition to vehicle tracking.

The entrepreneur

Senfrais was founded in 2023 by Seydina SECK, a Senegalese entrepreneur with experience in creating transport and preservation solutions for products in the cold chain.

Partnership with I&P and Teranga Capital

Senfrais is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a €4.8 million program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by AFD and the European Union. In Senegal, this program is implemented by Teranga Capital.

This partnership will enable this start-up to:

• Boost production in line with the development of its customer portfolio and the production unit by building up a stock of refrigerated tricycles, which will also enable it to meet the needs of individual and informal players under the cash-on-delivery model
• Boost the sales function by creating a dedicated unit whose mission will be to implement targeted strategies tailored to the profiles of the various prospects in order to achieve good sales traction
• Strengthen its digital component by adding additional functionalities such as remote control/adjustment of the temperature in the refrigerated cases, in order to ultimately achieve a product that is easy to use and adapted to the needs of local customers, and to strengthen its competitive advantage
• Strengthen its differentiation from traditional refrigerated vehicles (trucks) by adapting its offer based on the needs expressed by customers
• Identify the conditions needed to move the product from a niche market to a mainstream market.

Solarbox is a small Senegalese company that began operations in 2022. The company operates in the electric mobility sector, more specifically in the production of 2- and 3-wheel electric vehicles for transporting goods or people. Solarbox's electric vehicles feature a digital component for tracking and data collection. The offer is easily accessible thanks to a monthly leasing model.

The entrepreneur

Tijan WATT, co-founder and Managing Partner of Wuri Ventures since 2017, is the CEO of Solarbox. A dual Senegalese and American national, he graduated from the prestigious Harvard Business School in 2007 with an MBA. He has more than 15 years of professional/entrepreneurial experience to his credit, as well as solid fund-raising skills.

Partnership with I&P and Teranga Capital

Solarbox is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a 4.8 million euro program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by AFD and the EU.

 In Senegal, this program is implemented by Teranga Capital.

The objectives for this start-up are to :

• Support the company in strengthening its production of electric vehicles to effectively meet the needs of its market 
• Help the company to develop its B2B portfolio as a priority, by boosting the sales function. 
• Support the company in strengthening its R&D in order to develop its offer. 
• Help the company move its product from a niche market to the mass market

Founded in 2020, IBRIZ is a company operating in the renewable energy sector and more specifically in the AgriTech sub-sector with a focus on the productive use of solar energy in agriculture. Its aim is to support small-scale farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa by leveraging technology with an innovative business model. IBRIZ uses proven technologies to build an ecosystem that will impact the lives of small-scale farmers by enabling access to solar water irrigation systems.

Entrepreneurs

The company's vision is driven by two entrepreneurs, Bou Diarra and Serigne Sam Ndao, co-founders of IBRIZ. They have over 15 years of professional entrepreneurial experience to their credit.

Partnership with I&P and Teranga Capital

IBRIZ is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a 4.8 million euro program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by AFD and the EU. In Senegal, this program is implemented by Teranga Capital.

The objectives of this SME are

• Optimizing the supply of materials (to improve profitability and operational efficiency)
• Improving distribution (to reduce costs associated with damage to equipment and ensure safe delivery) 
• Developing the digital component
• Strengthening its offering 

Nkwa Tech Ltd is a Cameroonian company that has developed an application that encourages its users to save: users can set savings targets in terms of either amounts or dates. Withdrawal before reaching the target leads to penalties (set by the users), while achieving the target on time leads to rewards in the form of interest generated on the amount saved.

Nkwa Tech Ltd has a platform whose transactions are based on mobile payment technology. The platform incorporates an interface dedicated to end users, the operators' customers.

The entrepreneurs

Nkwa Tech Ltd was founded in 2021 by Akwo ASHANGNDOWAH, a Cameroonian entrepreneur with experience in creating technological applications.

Partenariat avec I&P et Fako Capital

Nkwa Tech Ltd is supported by I&P Accélération Technologies, a €2.5 million programme to finance and support around fifteen digital start-ups in Sub-Saharan Africa, backed by AFD through  Digital Africa. In Cameroon, this programme is being implemented by Fako Capital.

This partnership will enable this start-up to carry out :

• Bring the company into legal compliance (recasting of articles of association, acquisition of microfinance approvals, etc)
• Strengthen the company's governance by setting up an advisory committee to assist with strategic decisions
• Supporting the company in its structuring by setting up a robust accounting and financial system, an operations management system, and in the development of its human resources
• Strengthening the company's marketing efforts to increase its visibility and the number of users
• Support in launching microfinance activities

Sammanté is a Senegalese company that offers its customers digital health coupons. A sammanté health coupon is a digital coupon that allows each beneficiary to pay for their medical expenses in public hospitals and pharmacies. The health coupons are available at a fixed monthly rate and provide financial cover for a range of health services, including consultations, medical check-ups, medicines and surgery. 

The entrepreneur

Sammanté was founded in 2023 by Haskè Ventures and Pauline Barra. Haskè Ventures is a venture studio that supports start-ups with seed capital, strategy development, talent sourcing and operational support. Pauline Barra is a young Senegalese woman with experience in auditing and finance, and in entrepreneurship.

Partnership with I&P and Teranga Capital

Sammanté is supported by I&P Accélération Technologies, a €2.5 million programme to finance and support around 15 start-ups in sub-Saharan Africa, backed by AFD through  Digital Africa. In Senegal, this programme is implemented by Teranga Capital.

This partnership will enable the start-up to

• Improve its product by enhancing existing functionalities
• Strengthen the technological dimension
• Refine its positioning and develop a brand image
• Strengthen its sales and technical teams
• Expand to other countries in the sub-region