CDC Group, established in 1948, is the UK's Development Finance Institution, fully owned by the UK government's Department for International Development. As the world's oldest DFI, CDC focuses on fostering business development in Africa and South Asia, aiming to create jobs and improve living conditions in some of the poorest regions. The institution invests strategically in areas where the private sector is underdeveloped and job opportunities are limited, targeting sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, financial services, construction, health, and education. Through its portfolio, CDC has supported numerous investee businesses, significantly contributing to job creation and local tax revenues, thereby making a substantial impact on the economies and communities it serves.
Accion is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion worldwide. The organization focuses on providing access to financial tools and services for underserved individuals, small businesses, and communities. Accion collaborates with financial service providers to deliver affordable and high-quality solutions, while also engaging with industry leaders and regulators to promote a more inclusive financial landscape. Through its Venture Lab initiative, Accion invests in innovative fintech startups that work to improve the accessibility, quality, and affordability of financial services for underserved populations. In addition to capital investment, Accion offers strategic and operational support to these startups, helping them scale and thrive in the formal economy. The organization emphasizes the use of technology and new business models to create impactful customer experiences, thereby fostering financial health and capabilities among those traditionally excluded from financial services.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a key member of The World Bank Group, dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through private sector investments. It provides a wide array of financial products, including loans, equity, and quasi-equity investments, to startups and established companies across various sectors such as agribusiness, financial services, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and technology. IFC aims to mobilize capital in international financial markets while also offering advisory services to enhance corporate governance and environmental performance. The organization focuses on projects that are majority-owned by the private sector in developing countries, with typical investment amounts ranging from $1 million to $100 million. IFC does not invest in certain sectors, including weapons and munitions, tobacco, and gambling. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFC plays a crucial role in creating jobs, generating tax revenues, and improving the quality of life in the communities it serves, particularly for those who are most in need.
Investisseurs & Partenaires is an impact investment group focusing on African Small and Medium Enterprises. Founded in 2002 by Patrice Hoppenot and currently led by Jean-Michel Severino, the organization manages €75 million and has invested in nearly 60 companies across 15 countries. They provide long-term financing, strategic support, and technical assistance to their portfolio companies to maximize economic, social, and environmental impacts. With a team of 30 individuals in Paris and 7 African offices, Investisseurs & Partenaires also advises on a €65 million fund dedicated to access to electricity in Africa. Through their efforts, they aim to actively contribute to the development of Africa by fostering local added value and creating long-term employment opportunities.
Founders Factory is a prominent startup accelerator and venture studio that collaborates with top founders and corporate partners to create, fund, and scale innovative startups globally. Founded in 2015 by Brent Hoberman, Henry Lane Fox, and George Northcott, the organization aims to streamline and reduce the risks associated with building technology startups by offering a combination of capital, expert operational support, and access to major corporations. With a portfolio featuring over 200 tech companies, more than 35 of which were developed within their venture studio, Founders Factory operates with various corporate partners, including well-known brands across multiple industries. Additionally, Founders Factory Africa, established in 2018, focuses on incubating startups in health, energy, fintech, and education, primarily investing in early-stage companies within Africa. They provide seed funding and operational support to help these businesses become viable and sustainable.
Flat6Labs is Sawari Ventures’ dedicated startup accelerator for seed stage investments. Launched in Cairo in 2011, it assists and encourages entrepreneurs throughout the critical first steps of development. Every four months, it funds and mentors a number of carefully selected start-ups from Egypt and the MENA region, providing them with seed capital and physical hosting at its premises. In addition, it offers interaction-based mentorship and educational experiences, organized in conjunction with the American University in Cairo. Flat6Labs’ philosophy is centered on immersing entrepreneurs into the real-world challenges of creating and managing successful enterprises in an open, collaborative and value-added environment. In May 2012, Flat6Labs joined the Global Accelerator Network (GAN), as the first member from Africa.
Goodwell Investments is a private equity and venture capital firm founded in 2005 and headquartered in Amsterdam, with additional offices in Cape Town and Nairobi. The firm focuses on providing early-stage growth capital and hands-on support to enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa and India, particularly in sectors such as financial services, energy, health, and basic goods. Goodwell Investments targets financially sustainable and scalable businesses that can deliver significant financial returns while creating a positive social impact. The firm typically invests in small and medium-sized companies, emphasizing areas like microfinance, mobile payments, rural banking, affordable housing finance, and renewable energy. Goodwell Investments generally seeks to hold its investments for five to ten years and prefers to take minority stakes, offering advisory services to its portfolio companies on sustainable business practices.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a self-sustaining U.S. Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. Established in 1971, OPIC provides businesses with the tools to manage the risks associated with foreign direct investment, fosters economic development in emerging market countries, and advances U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. OPIC helps American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyzes new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC fulfills its mission by providing businesses with financing, political risk insurance, advocacy and by partnering with private equity investment fund managers. OPIC services are available to new and expanding businesses planning to invest in more than 160 countries worldwide. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers. All OPIC projects must adhere to best international practices and cannot cause job loss in the United States.
AfricInvest, founded in 1994, is a private equity investor based in Tunisia and part of Integra Group. With a focus on North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, the firm manages USD1 billion across 16 funds and has invested in 135 companies across 25 African countries. AfricInvest has 66 professionals in seven offices and benefits from strong support from local and international investors, including leading development finance institutions. The firm is active in promoting the private equity industry in the region and has extensive expertise in key growth sectors such as financial services, agribusiness, consumer/retail, education, and healthcare. Additionally, AfricInvest has played a role in founding industry associations like the African Venture Capital Association and the Middle East North Africa Private Equity Association.