Investisseurs & Partenaires: Leading the Charge in African Entrepreneurship
Deal News | Feb 13, 2025 | Investisseurs & Partenaires
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced an investment of 15 million into the I&P Afrique Entrepreneurs (IPAE 3) fund, a partnership with Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) intended to support SMEs in Africa, with a strong focus on West Africa and Madagascar. This fund is particularly designed to create jobs, with an emphasis on women's employment, and is part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy aimed at sustainable and inclusive growth. The fund targets critical sectors including agriculture, nutrition, health, energy, and services, and strives to foster responsible entrepreneurship to tackle Africa's pressing challenges. Together with partners like the West African Development Bank and Proparco, EIB's investment is expected to leverage additional financing up to four-and-a-half times its own contribution. With a goal of enhancing economic inclusion, particularly for women entrepreneurs, this initiative marks the continuation of a longstanding collaboration between EIB and I&P, and highlights EIB's pivotal role in development in Africa.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Entrepreneurship
- Development Finance
Geography
- West Africa and Madagascar – The IPAE 3 fund targets investments in SMEs located specifically in West Africa and Madagascar.
- European Union – The EIB, as the EU's financing institution, is a primary source of the investment detailed in the article.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article discusses investment in a private equity fund, IPAE 3, focused on supporting SMEs in Africa.
- Entrepreneurship – The fund aims to empower local entrepreneurs, particularly women, and stimulate economic growth across various sectors.
- Development Finance – The EIB's involvement in funding initiatives that align with the EU's Global Gateway strategy for sustainable development in Africa.
Financials
- 15 million – The investment amount from the EIB into the IPAE 3 fund to support entrepreneurship in Africa.
- 35.25 million – Total support provided by the EIB to various funds raised by I&P.
- 3.1 billion – Investment provided by the EIB in 2024 to support projects across Africa.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investisseurs & Partenaires | Target | Company | I&P is a private equity firm focused on providing funding to African SMEs, particularly through the innovative IPAE 3 fund. |
| European Investment Bank (EIB) | Investor | Company | The EIB is investing 15 million into the IPAE 3 fund, supporting development and entrepreneurship in Africa. |
| West African Development Bank (BOAD) | Investor | Company | BOAD is one of the initial investors in the IPAE 3 fund, assisting in mobilizing further investments. |
| Proparco | Investor | Company | Proparco is a development finance institution investing in the fund alongside EIB and BOAD. |
| Ambroise Fayolle | Vice-President | Person | Vice-President of the EIB, present at the signing ceremony for the IPAE 3 fund. |
| Sébastien Boy | Co-CEO of I&P | Person | Co-CEO of Investisseurs & Partenaires, responsible for leading the IPAE 3 initiative. |