Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), a long-established impact investment group focused on Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region, has opened applications for equity and quasi-equity funding (SME) ranging from €300,000 to €1.5 million, targeting locally led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.
The funding window is open on a rolling basis, with initial reviews typically completed within two to three weeks, according to the investment group.
Long-Term Capital for Locally Led Businesses
Founded to address Africa’s persistent SME financing gap, I&P provides patient, long-term capital and works as a minority shareholder, partnering closely with entrepreneurs to improve governance, management depth, and sustainable growth.
Unlike short-term private capital, I&P’s model emphasises measured exits after value creation, allowing investee companies to scale responsibly while generating durable local impact.
Who Is Eligible
I&P is seeking applications from businesses that meet the following criteria:
Geographic focus: Based in Sub-Saharan Africa or the Indian Ocean region
Ownership and leadership: Led by local entrepreneurs and management teams
Formality: Operating within the formal economy
Sector focus: Including but not limited to:
Health
i&p investment applications Agribusiness
Construction
Fisheries
Vocational training
Distribution and logistics
Textiles
Services
Microfinance
Other legally compliant sectors
The breadth of eligible sectors reflects I&P’s strategy of backing real-economy businesses with strong employment and value-chain effects.
Investment Structure and Ticket Sizes
I&P invests through multiple vehicles:
IPAE Fund:
Investment size between €300,000 and €1.5 million
IPDEV2 Fund:
Investments below €300,000, typically for earlier-stage enterprises
All investments are made for a defined holding period, after which I&P exits, often alongside strategic or local partners.
Access to growth capital remains one of the most binding constraints for African SMEs, particularly those led by local founders who fall between microfinance and large private-equity thresholds.
I&P’s ticket size and hands-on governance support place it squarely in the “missing middle” of African finance—an area increasingly recognised by development institutions and policymakers as critical to job creation and economic resilience.
For entrepreneurs seeking not just capital but a long-term institutional partner, the current funding window represents a timely opportunity.
How to Apply
Applications are open on a rolling basis. Entrepreneurs can submit their business plans directly through I&P’s application portal through the link.
Preliminary review timeline: 2–3 weeks
Funding size: €300,000 to €1,500,000
