Innovative start-ups

Access to financing remains a major obstacle for African start-ups. Often created in response to unmet needs and demand in local markets, they generate jobs, create value and have a wide range of impacts. They are thus a new and powerful development tool for Africa. The question of their financing is therefore crucial.

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Our ambition : finance start-ups that contribute to development in Africa

Supporting high-impact African start-ups
Proparco added value
Investment criteria

Supporting high-impact African start-ups

Supporting high-impact African start-ups

Proparco supports high-impact African start-ups throughout their growth cycle, from pre-seed to scale-up:

Pre-seed and seed investment through Digital Africa, a Proparco subsidiary dedicated to seed investment
Direct investment from pre-Serie A to Serie D for amounts ranging from 0.5 M€ to 5 M€
Bridge financing between two rounds through the Bridge Fund by Digital Africa operated by Proparco (debt with conversion option for amounts between 150 K€ and 600 K€)
Indirect investment via seed and venture capital funds, in which Proparco can invest between 5 M€ and 15 M€

In total, Proparco has invested in over 200 tech start-ups "made in Africa", including 30 directly, since 2018.

Proparco added value

Proparco added value

AFD Group executes the French government's development aid policies. The investment decisions of Proparco, its subsidiary dedicated to private sector, follow a rigorous vetting process and can be a catalyst for other investors.
Capable of supporting start-ups over the long term, Proparco is not bound to a fixed termed investment horizon, which enables it to take into account its clients long-term needs.
Proparco provides its clients an extensive local and international network of companies, financial institutions and institutional investors.
Proparco has in-depth knowledge of Venture Capital (VC) markets and ecosystems, with a strong local presence on the African continent.
Proparco offers debt financing and technical assistance (management training, consultant support, high-impact financing).

Investment criteria

Investment criteria

Core business operated in Africa
Team with unique vision and demonstrated leadership skills. Strong track record in the chosen industry
Unique opportunity: innovation, addressable market, business model, barriers to entry
Capacity to expand outside home market
At least 400 K€ yearly revenues
Strong impact aligned with Proparco 2023-2027 strategy
Targeted preferred sectors: fintech, healthtech, agtech, cleantech / access to energy, edtech