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.
2 hommes travaillant sur le campus d'Andela à Nairobi
Our ambition : finance start-ups that contribute to development in Africa

Supporting high-impact African start-ups

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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

Start-up et numérique

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

Start-up et numérique - Critères

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
15
venture capital funds supported since 2015
200+
start-ups supported directly and indirectly since 2018
Proparco - Start-up et numérique - Portfolio

 

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