EIB Invests €15 Million to Support SME Growth and Gender Inclusion in Africa through IPAE 3 Fund

EIB Invests €15 Million to Support SME Growth and Gender Inclusion in Africa through IPAE 3 Fund

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed €15 million to the I&P Afrique Entrepreneurs 3 (IPAE 3) fund, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The initiative, which focuses on key sectors like agriculture, health, and energy, is expected to generate over 4,000 direct jobs, with 40% of those jobs designated for women. This investment, funded by the ACP Trust Fund, is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The partnership with Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) will help address financing challenges in regions like West Africa and Madagascar, driving sustainable economic growth and fostering entrepreneurship, especially among women. The EIB’s total support to I&P funds now totals €35.25 million, contributing to a broader effort to support Africa’s development.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 14-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed to investing €15 million in the I&P Afrique Entrepreneurs 3 (IPAE 3) fund, aiming to significantly enhance the support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The initiative, which focuses on empowering businesses with high growth potential, is expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs, with 40% of these jobs allocated to women. The funding, which is sourced from the ACP Trust Fund, aligns with the European Union’s broader Global Gateway strategy to stimulate sustainable growth in Africa.

The agreement, formalized during the EIB Group Day, sees the EIB collaborating with Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) on this transformative project. The IPAE 3 fund targets critical sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, water, and services, with clear objectives to drive job creation, promote responsible entrepreneurship, and fight climate change. This deal is set to unlock further investments, with the EIB aiming to generate a multiplier effect of up to 4.5 times the initial investment.

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle expressed his enthusiasm for this strategic partnership, underscoring its role in fostering sustainable, inclusive development across West Africa and Madagascar. The initiative is poised to address long-standing financing challenges in these regions, where private equity investments have traditionally been limited.

This partnership continues a successful collaboration between the EIB and I&P, with the EIB’s total commitment to I&P funds now reaching €35.25 million. The new financing is part of Team Europe’s efforts to strengthen Africa’s economic resilience, focusing on job creation, economic inclusion, and empowering women through entrepreneurship.

The investment is part of the European Union’s €3.1 billion commitment to Africa for 2024, facilitated through EIB Global. Through these efforts, the EIB remains a critical player in Africa’s economic development, particularly in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth.

This press release is intended for informational purposes and does not serve as an offer or invitation to invest in IPAE 3.

Background information

European Investment Bank

The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.

EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner in the Global Gateway. It aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 – one-third of the overall target of this EU strategy. It is designed to foster strong, focused partnership within Team Europe alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to people, companies and institutions through its offices around the world.

Investisseurs & Partenaires

For over 20 years, Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) has been committed to financing and supporting SMEs in Africa and assisting investment teams to establish themselves on the continent.

I&P’s activities revolve around three fundamental objectives: to provide finance and assistance to entrepreneurs, to support and develop investment teams, and to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem. I&P provides finance for around 50 SMEs each year, and up to now has supported over 300 companies in a variety of sectors. Its team is present in 11 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Uganda.

Media Contact:

Anne-Cécile Auguin
a.auguin@eib.org
+352 4379 – 83330

Press Office
press@eib.org
+352 43791

SOURCE: European Investment Bank