Wave Mobile Money is a financial technology company focused on providing app-based solutions for saving, transferring, and borrowing money in Africa. With a mission to create the first cashless continent, Wave aims to address the challenge of limited access to banking services, as less than 10% of the African population has a bank account. The company is developing an inclusive financial network that offers no account fees and allows for instant transactions, making it accessible to a broader audience. By leveraging technology, Wave is creating affordable financial services that enable individuals to manage their money effectively, thereby fostering economic empowerment and contributing to poverty alleviation. Its platform supports various services, including deposits, withdrawals, bill payments, and money transfers, facilitating cashless transactions for users and businesses alike.
TPL Insurance Limited provides general insurance products and services in Pakistan. It offers auto, home, micro and group health, travel, fire and allied perils, business interruption or consequential loss, terrorism, engineering, marine, and Takaful insurance products, as well miscellaneous insurance products that cover losses for cash in safe, cash in transit, fidelity guarantee, workmen compensation, plate glass, and neon signs. The company was formerly known as TPL Direct Insurance Limited and changed its name to TPL Insurance Limited in December 2017. The company was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. TPL Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of TPL Corp Limited.
d.light is a company that designs, manufactures, and distributes solar lighting and power products, primarily aimed at households and small businesses lacking reliable electricity. Founded in 2007 as a for-profit social enterprise, d.light has developed a range of products, including solar lanterns, home systems, and various appliances, to serve over 2 billion people globally. With distribution hubs in East and West Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, the company has reached over 65 million individuals, providing affordable and accessible solar solutions. d.light is committed to transforming energy usage and payment methods, enhancing the quality of life for users in rural and semi-urban areas through its innovative solar-powered products. The company operates from its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in key locations such as Shenzhen, China; Gurgaon, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lagos, Nigeria.
Indifi Technologies Pvt. Ltd. operates a digital lending platform that connects small businesses in India with lenders, facilitating access to loans for those with potential but limited access to traditional financing options. Founded in 2015 and based in Gurugram, the company utilizes technology to gather and analyze data from various sources, assessing the creditworthiness of businesses based on their performance and industry context. This approach allows Indifi to identify low-risk, high-potential borrowers, thereby increasing their chances of securing funding. The platform supports a variety of sectors, including e-commerce, travel, hospitality, retail, and trading. Additionally, Indifi offers lifecycle support services for lenders, encompassing marketing, customer relationship management, data aggregation, loan monitoring, and payment management, ultimately creating a streamlined process for both borrowers and lenders.
CIM Sante is a Moroccan private healthcare group that develops cardiac catherization. CIM Sante Group is made of 3 clinics namely The Heart and Vascular Diseases Clinic in Rabat(1994), The International Clinic of Marrakech (2011), The International Clinic of Tangier(2020). CIM Santé Group also radiology and laundry service companies in partnership in medical laboratories.
Twiga Foods Ltd. is a mobile-based supply platform that connects farmers and vendors in Africa's retail sector. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company serves small and medium-sized retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls by enabling them to order a variety of fresh produce, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through a cashless business-to-business platform. By bridging the gap between farmers and vendors, Twiga Foods aims to enhance access to quality food at competitive prices, thereby improving profit margins for both parties. The platform facilitates efficient distribution, making it easier for vendors to stock their businesses with necessary supplies while supporting local agriculture.
Advans Group is an international microfinance organization established in August 2005 and headquartered in Luxembourg. As the venture capital investment arm of Horus Development Finance, it specializes in providing equity, loans, and guarantees primarily to microfinance institutions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Advans Group aims to strengthen local businesses, enhance job creation, and improve living standards, thereby promoting private sector-led economic and social development in these regions. One of its subsidiaries, Advans Tunisie, focuses on offering microfinance and credit solutions tailored for retailers, wholesalers, artisans, small industries, services, and small-scale farmers in Tunisia. As a majority shareholder in its investments, Advans Group typically assumes a lead role in the microfinance institutions it supports.
Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group is a leading provider of backhaul data and cloud services for mobile operators and Internet Service Providers in East Africa, specifically in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Group is a shareholder in The East African Marine System (TEAMS) and offers hosted services that enhance the daily lives of individuals in the region, thereby driving demand for increased bandwidth. In addition to its focus on East Africa, the company provides wholesale bandwidth, fiber construction, co-location, and transmission services across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This diverse portfolio enables clients to achieve cost efficiency while maintaining or expanding their operational scale.
EthioChicken PLC is a poultry company based in Ethiopia, founded in 2010. It specializes in the production and distribution of day-old chickens, as well as eggs and meat. The company operates a breeding farm and hatchery, focusing on providing affordable poultry products. EthioChicken collaborates with smallholder farmers to enhance nutrition, improve livelihoods, and create income opportunities within rural communities. By producing blended feed and day-old chickens, the company aims to support local agriculture and contribute to the overall welfare of farmers in the region.
Founded in 1996, Kashf Foundation has worked to pioneer microfinance services that empower and promote the economic self-reliance of poor women and their families in Pakistan. Kashf is now one of the premier microfinance institutions in the country, disbursing $202 million USD in loans to date and providing more than one million people with access to financial capital.
Starsight Energy specializes in providing clean energy solutions to commercial and industrial clients across Africa, focusing on both on-grid and off-grid services. The company offers sustainable solar power and energy efficiency services, along with cooling solutions. By employing a team of experienced engineers, Starsight Energy customizes energy storage systems to meet specific application needs and budget constraints. This approach enables clients to achieve significant cost savings while also reducing their carbon emissions. Notably, Starsight Energy eliminates upfront costs by allowing clients to pay a monthly fee for comprehensive services, making clean energy a financially viable choice.
Starsight Energy specializes in providing clean energy solutions to commercial and industrial clients across Africa, focusing on both on-grid and off-grid services. The company offers sustainable solar power and energy efficiency services, along with cooling solutions. By employing a team of experienced engineers, Starsight Energy customizes energy storage systems to meet specific application needs and budget constraints. This approach enables clients to achieve significant cost savings while also reducing their carbon emissions. Notably, Starsight Energy eliminates upfront costs by allowing clients to pay a monthly fee for comprehensive services, making clean energy a financially viable choice.
Proximity Designs is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that focuses on improving the livelihoods of farmers in Myanmar through innovative agricultural solutions. The organization designs and manufactures a range of farming equipment, including sprinklers, solar irrigation pumps, and hand-powered water pumps. In addition to its agricultural products, Proximity Designs offers agronomy advisory services, social services, and agricultural financing through Proximity Finance, a microfinance institution that currently serves approximately 100,000 households with plans to expand significantly in the coming years. The organization aims to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance economic opportunities for rural communities in Myanmar. Headquartered in South Pasadena, California, it also operates an office in Yangon, Myanmar.
ETG, established in 1967, is one of the largest and fastest growing integrated agricultural conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa, importing and exporting soft commodities to and from 48 countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa. It also has supply chain operations in China, India, America, Middle East, and South East Asia; merchandising desks in Europe, and; treasury companies in Singapore, Mauritius and UAE. Globally, ETG is present across 48 countries. ETG runs its business under five business verticals: 1. Fertilizer and Farm Inputs: ETG is one of the largest importers and distributors of fertilizers and farm inputs in sub-saharan africa 2. Cash traded products: Pulses, Sesame seed, Cashew and Rice are key commodities in this vertical. ETG is the world largest trader and processor of Pulses as well as world largest trader for raw cashew nuts. 3. Exchange traded commodities: Grains & oilseeds, sugar, coffee, cocoa, maize and soybean are key products in this segment. ETG is one of the major players for maize and soybean in sub-shara africa 4. Consumer Branded (Vamara): ETG operates multiple processing plants across 14 countries to manufacture products that are targeted to African consumers. ETG has 22 brands in its portfolio that offers products from vegetable cooking oil, condiments, and spreads, etc. 5. Logistics: ETG operates a very successful and integrated Logistics platform. ETG has a network of more than 400+ warehouses across 32 countries and a fleet of more than 900 trucks. ETG provided end-to-end Logistics services across sub-Sahara Africa.
Kasha is a platform for women’s health products and information serving women across all socioeconomic levels in urban and rural areas.
Nafoods Group is a leading company in Vietnam focused on the agricultural sector, specializing in the production, packaging, and distribution of vegetables and related products. The company offers a variety of items, including juice concentrates, fruits, and vegetables. It is committed to developing green and sustainable agricultural value chains, emphasizing environmentally friendly practices. Nafoods Group exports its products to several international markets, including Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea, thereby extending its reach and influence in the global agricultural landscape.
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America.
Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies.
Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.
Yalelo Limited is a leading aquaculture firm based in Lusaka, Zambia, specializing in the breeding, production, and sale of tilapia fish. Founded in 2011, Yalelo has become a pioneer in the Zambian fisheries sector, addressing the challenges faced by wild-capture fisheries. The company cultivates tilapia in the pristine waters of Lake Kariba, utilizing locally produced non-GMO fish feed to ensure high-quality, environmentally friendly products. Yalelo's robust cold-chain logistics enable the distribution of fresh fish nationwide, enhancing product quality and affordability. Through its innovative practices, Yalelo is transforming the customer experience and contributing to the sustainable development of fisheries resources in Africa.
Maarifa Edu Holdings Limited provides tertiary education in Africa. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
Starsight Energy specializes in providing clean energy solutions to commercial and industrial clients across Africa, focusing on both on-grid and off-grid services. The company offers sustainable solar power and energy efficiency services, along with cooling solutions. By employing a team of experienced engineers, Starsight Energy customizes energy storage systems to meet specific application needs and budget constraints. This approach enables clients to achieve significant cost savings while also reducing their carbon emissions. Notably, Starsight Energy eliminates upfront costs by allowing clients to pay a monthly fee for comprehensive services, making clean energy a financially viable choice.
Access Bank provides banking products and services to individual and business customers in Ghana. It offers standard savings and current, access advantage, solo, and premier accounts. The company also provides online banking services that include ATM, online access, and point-of-sale terminal services; and bills payment and Western Union money transfer services.
Africado
Debt Financing in 2019
Africado is an avocado plantation at the foot of the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Established in 2007, Africado has developed and grown a business from start up to becoming the largest fruit exporter in Tanzania, producing and exporting Hass avocado to the EU. The company works with over 2,000 small scale out-growers. Norfund provided 40% of the equity required for the project.
Jumo World Limited operates a mobile money marketplace that connects private individuals, small businesses, and mobile network operators to a range of financial products. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company leverages advanced data science and machine learning to offer innovative financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance, particularly for entrepreneurs in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Jumo's platform facilitates access to these services through partnerships with mobile network operators, enabling users to build financial identities based on their mobile behavior. By creating a digital banking solution that is cost-effective and responsible, Jumo aims to empower users with unprecedented financial choices, ultimately fostering economic growth and prosperity.
Jumo World Limited operates a mobile money marketplace that connects private individuals, small businesses, and mobile network operators to a range of financial products. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company leverages advanced data science and machine learning to offer innovative financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance, particularly for entrepreneurs in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Jumo's platform facilitates access to these services through partnerships with mobile network operators, enabling users to build financial identities based on their mobile behavior. By creating a digital banking solution that is cost-effective and responsible, Jumo aims to empower users with unprecedented financial choices, ultimately fostering economic growth and prosperity.
Jumo World Limited operates a mobile money marketplace that connects private individuals, small businesses, and mobile network operators to a range of financial products. Founded in 2010 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, the company leverages advanced data science and machine learning to offer innovative financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance, particularly for entrepreneurs in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Jumo's platform facilitates access to these services through partnerships with mobile network operators, enabling users to build financial identities based on their mobile behavior. By creating a digital banking solution that is cost-effective and responsible, Jumo aims to empower users with unprecedented financial choices, ultimately fostering economic growth and prosperity.
Mobisol GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing and installing solar home systems to provide electricity to underserved low-income customers in developing nations. The company offers solutions that power LED lights, radios, mobile phones, and various household appliances, while also promoting productive use appliances. Mobisol's innovative approach combines solar energy with an affordable mobile payment plan, making it accessible for those living without electricity. The company emphasizes comprehensive customer service and utilizes remote monitoring technology to ensure reliable performance. With additional offices in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, Mobisol operates as a subsidiary of ENGIE SA, focusing on delivering clean and affordable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.
Sanergy is a waste recycling company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2010. The company aims to improve sanitation in urban slums by establishing a network of low-cost sanitation centers that provide essential facilities like toilets and showers. Sanergy franchises these centers to local entrepreneurs, supported by financing from microfinance institutions. The company collects organic waste, including food and sanitary waste, and processes it at a central facility. This waste is transformed into valuable byproducts, such as organic fertilizers and insect-based animal feed, while also generating biogas through anaerobic digestion. The biogas is used to produce renewable energy, which is sold to the national grid. By promoting affordable and hygienic sanitation solutions, Sanergy seeks to address the sanitation crisis in Nairobi while fostering a sustainable waste management cycle.
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America.
Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies.
Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.
EthioChicken PLC is a poultry company based in Ethiopia, founded in 2010. It specializes in the production and distribution of day-old chickens, as well as eggs and meat. The company operates a breeding farm and hatchery, focusing on providing affordable poultry products. EthioChicken collaborates with smallholder farmers to enhance nutrition, improve livelihoods, and create income opportunities within rural communities. By producing blended feed and day-old chickens, the company aims to support local agriculture and contribute to the overall welfare of farmers in the region.
M-BIRR Limited is a provider of mobile banking services based in Dublin, Ireland, offering a comprehensive platform for mobile money transactions in Ethiopia. Established in 2001, M-BIRR facilitates a range of financial services, including domestic money transfers, balance inquiries, loan repayments, cash in/out through an extensive agent network, and international remittances. Users can conveniently pay for goods and services directly from their mobile phones, eliminating the need for time-consuming travel and queuing. The platform also enables utility bill payments and supports businesses with marketing and strategy consulting. M-BIRR is designed to cater to both residential and business customers, as well as banks and microfinance institutions, ensuring efficient and reliable financial transactions available around the clock.
Incap Corporation is a global contract manufacturer specializing in electronics manufacturing services. The company provides a comprehensive range of services throughout the entire lifecycle of electromechanical products, which includes design, manufacturing, maintenance, and logistics. Incap caters to leading suppliers in energy-saving and well-being technologies, enhancing their competitiveness through strategic partnerships. Its manufacturing operations are located in Estonia, India, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, while it also maintains a sourcing office in Hong Kong. The company offers various services such as material procurement, prototyping, production ramp-up, serial production, final assembly, testing, and project management, along with specialized tasks like printed circuit board assembly, box-build final assembly, electromechanical assembly, and cable and wire harness assembly.