Last June, I&P went to meet Angéline Yougbaré Traoré, a young entrepreneur who founded Maison Fenel, a company specialized in the production and marketing of fashion accessories made from local woven fabrics (Faso Dan Fani) and the first company run by a woman who benefited from I&P Acceleration in Sahel in Burkina Faso.
Created in 2018 by a talented young Malagasy entrepreneur, Sayna is a startup specialized in digital training and outsourcing of IT projects, carried out by African developers via a micro-tasking platform.
Sayna intends to address a twofold problem: the lack of training in the digital sector in Africa, and the gap between the supply of digital talent and the growing demand of companies in the context of their digital transformation.
Sayna offers digital skills training and provides solutions that allow the students to enter the job market. To date, Sayna has trained nearly 200 students.
Today, Sayna aims to develop a tech startup model based on two pillars:
⇒ A paying online training platform for learners that allows them to follow, evaluate and validate their learning, but also to have access to company IT projects corresponding to the learning they have validated during their training.
⇒ A "microtasking" platform that allows companies to outsource their IT projects more efficiently, which are divided into distributed micro-tasks and assigned to freelance developers registered on the platform.
The promoter of the project, Matina Razafimahefa, is a young Malagasy entrepreneur of 23 years old, winner of several awards. At 20 years old, she decided to stop her studies to devote herself fully to the deployment of the project and has surrounded herself with advisors and experienced business angels.
Sayna is financed and supported by I&P Acceleration Technologies, a €2.5 million program aimed at financing and supporting fifteen digital start-ups in Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) through the Digital Africa initiative.
As such, Sayna benefits from a €100,000 repayable advance from the I&P Acceleration Technologies program to :
⇒ Finalize and launch the micro tasking platform
⇒ Roll out the training programs in partnership with a leading player in Bootcamp training, Holberton (Silicon Valley)
⇒ Train 200 students by the end of 2021
Sayna's ambition is to :
• Enable 8,000 people in Africa to enter the digital industry through its training and have more than 3,500 people working on its micro task platform.
• Meet the IT needs of 300 SMEs and start-ups in the French-speaking world.
• Complete a Series A fundraising of approximately €3 million in 2022 to accelerate growth and finance a pan-African expansion in West Africa.
Salma is a company specialized in agro-industry. It produces feed for livestock (sheep, cattle, goats) based on fodder, agro-industrial products and minerals.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
Salma was created by Mrs. Nafissa Hamidou ABDOULAYE. She holds a state diploma in midwifery and a higher technician diploma in public health, a bachelor's degree in epidemiology and biostatistics and a master's degree in project management. She benefits from the expertise and permanent technical support of INRAN researchers in the implementation of her project.
ABOUT SINERGI
SINERGI S.A. is a private investment company created in 2006 and supported by I&P with a group of key individual and institutional shareholders in the Nigerien and international SME support landscape. Headed by Ibrahima Djibo, its objective is to contribute to the economic and social development of Niger through the promotion of entrepreneurship and the development of SMEs. SINERGI S.A. provides the means for entrepreneurs in Niger to achieve their growth projects by providing long-term financing and local support. → Find out more about Sinergi
ABOUT USAID PROGRAM
Investisseurs & Partenaires and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched in 2016 an innovative acceleration program for start-ups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. The partnership is designed to support high-potential start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in order to facilitate their access to financing in a region where the ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship is still poorly developed. → Click here to find out more
Sahel Délices is a company specialized in the production and marketing of food products (juices, herbal teas, jams, etc.) made from local raw materials from Niger. Juices made from local plants such as bissap or baobab are the company's flagship products.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
Sahel Délices was founded by Ms. Rockya Bachir. She holds a master's degree in management with an option in quality and change and another master's degree in finance and banking from the Institut Supérieur de Management. She received practical training in food processing for "family consumption" in Senegal and is part of the 15th promotion of the UEMOA Talent du Monde program in Brittany.
ABOUT SINERGI
SINERGI S.A. is a private investment company created in 2006 and supported by I&P with a group of key individual and institutional shareholders in the Nigerien and international SME support landscape. Headed by Ibrahima Djibo, its objective is to contribute to the economic and social development of Niger through the promotion of entrepreneurship and the development of SMEs. SINERGI S.A. provides the means for entrepreneurs in Niger to achieve their growth projects by providing long-term financing and local support. → Find out more about Sinergi
ABOUT PACE PROGRAM
Investisseurs & Partenaires and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched in 2016 an innovative acceleration program for start-ups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. The partnership is designed to support high-potential start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in order to facilitate their access to financing in a region where the ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship is still poorly developed. → Click here to find out more
Created in 2017, NIGERcab is a VTC (Vehicle of Transport with Driver) service, the first to have offered a private, secure and comfortable door-to-door individual transportation service in Niamey.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
Mr. Amadou Maiga Seydou created NIGERcab in 2017 with three partners. Holder of a Diploma of Professional Aptitude (DAP) in Customs Transit, he received training in transport logistics. Before the creation of the company, he held for 4 years, a position of driver at Babati Automobile where he drove the consultants of ALCATEL LUCIEN.
ABOUT SINERGI
SINERGI S.A. is a private investment company created in 2006 and supported by I&P with a group of key individual and institutional shareholders in the Nigerien and international SME support landscape. Headed by Ibrahima Djibo, its objective is to contribute to the economic and social development of Niger through the promotion of entrepreneurship and the development of SMEs. SINERGI S.A. provides the means for entrepreneurs in Niger to achieve their growth projects by providing long-term financing and local support. → Find out more about Sinergi
Investisseurs & Partenaires and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched in 2016 an innovative acceleration program for start-ups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. The partnership is designed to support high-potential start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in order to facilitate their access to financing in a region where the ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship is still poorly developed. → Click here to find out more
Nowelli is a small Senegalese company that specializes in individual and collective catering (catering service and canteen management). Through its various offers, Nowelli provides its customers with healthy and balanced products, with a particular focus on reducing the amount of sugar, salt and fat.
THE ENTREPRENEURS
The company Nowelli was created by two promoters who are :
CONTRIBUTIONS OF TERANGA CAPITAL
Nowelli has benefited from I&P Acceleration in Sahel program implemented in Senegal by Teranga Capital:
ABOUT TERANGA CAPITAL
Teranga Capital is the first impact investment fund dedicated to the financing and support of Senegalese SMEs and start-ups. Headed by Olivier Furdelle, Teranga Capital is the third African fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires under the I&P Développement 2 program. The network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Burkina Faso (Sinergi Burkina), Ivory Coast (Comoé Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). → Find out more about Teranga Capital
Dakar American University of Science and Technology (DAUST) is a private higher education institution offering a 4-year engineering program, masterclasses dedicated to professionals in the sector and a "prep" program with international opportunities. The specialties taught are chemistry and biomolecules, civil and environmental engineering, electronic and computer engineering and finally mechanical and aeronautical engineering.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
DAUST was founded by Sidy NDAO, a 38-year-old Senegalese born and raised in Dakar before going to continue his studies in the United States. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska and a post-doc from MIT, he is an engineer specialized in mechanics and robotics. He returned to Senegal in 2009 to engage in the promotion of STEMs (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) in Africa.
I&P' CONTRIBUTION
DAUST benefits from support through the I&P Acceleration in Sahel program dedicated to education and employment (IP2E). The funding and support will enable the university to increase its hosting capacity while attracting an international clientele.
EXPECTED IMPACTS
Eco Clair is a company specialized in industrial laundry services for hotel complexes, businesses and industries, and individual clients. Today, the company has a processing capacity of more than 4,000 pieces of laundry per day and counts among its customers the Airone company and the Accor group.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
M'bim Lou Josette Kouadio holds a BA in Psychology from Cocody University and a DESS from CAMPC - University of Cocody. Before launching the company Eco Clair, Ms. Kouadio held several positions, including Assistant Head of Personnel for the Sococe group in mass distribution and Head of Personnel for Quick Net Service (RMO Group).
COMOE CAPITAL'S CONTRIBUTION
Ecoclair is supported by the I&P Acceleration in Sahel program, set up by Comoé Capital in Côte d'Ivoire, which will enable it to acquire chip bedding and electronic linen reading equipment. The company will also benefit from the support of several consultants who will help train local employees to fully internalize maintenance, as well as upgrade teams to obtain quality and/or environmental certification.
In terms of impact, the company expects to create 22 new jobs by 2022.
About Comoé Capital
Comoé Capital is the first impact investment fund dedicated to the financing and support of Ivorian SMEs and start-ups. Headed by Issa Sidibé, Comoé Capital is the fifth African fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Burkina Faso (Sinergi Burkina), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). →Site of Comoé Capital.
Syn'el is a company specialized in the artisanal production of sorbets on sticks under the Paletas brand, made from entirely natural juices. In Côte d'Ivoire, Syn'el is the only producer of natural sorbets. The company has 6 flavours according to the seasons and 2 product ranges.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
Syn'el was founded in 2017 by Ella Assié, a young entrepreneur who graduated from the University of South Africa in management and cost accounting after obtaining a certificate in Accountability at the Abidjan School of Information and Management. She has also worked for several years as a consultant, assistant and administrative and financial manager in various organisations.
CONTRIBUTION OF COMOE CAPITAL
The I&P Acceleration in Sahel program, implemented in Côte d'Ivoire by Comoé Capital, will enable Syn'el to relaunch its activities, develop a product marketing strategy and increase its production capacity. The company will also benefit from the support of several consultants who will provide marketing and sales support.
In terms of impact, the company expects to create 9 new jobs by 2022.
ABOUT COMOE CAPITAL
Comoé Capital is the first impact investment fund dedicated to the financing and support of Ivorian SMEs and start-ups. Headed by Issa Sidibé, Comoé Capital is the fifth African fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes a fund in Niger (Sinergi Niger), Burkina Faso (Sinergi Burkina), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). →Site of Comoé Capital.
Citrine Corporation is a company specialized in the processing of cassava into fresh attiéké (cassava semolina) and placali (cassava paste) in the south of Côte d'Ivoire, more precisely in Grand-Bassam. The company markets its products on the local and international market. Since the release of the products on the market, they are highly appreciated by the local community and the diaspora, for their quality and their branding which highlights the pride of the African identity.
THE ENTREPRENEUR
Mohamed Diaby holds an MBA in International Business Management which he will complete in 2014 at the École Supérieure de Management de France and an M.sc. in Banking, Finance and Risk Management which he will complete in 2012 at Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK. He has six years of experience in food trading.
CONTRIBUTION OF COMOE CAPITAL
The I&P Acceleration in Sahel funding will enable the company to optimise and increase its production capacity. The company will also benefit from the support of several consultants who will support the local commercial strategy, the optimisation of production processes and accounting and financial processes, the training of employees on quality and hygiene measures and on environmental issues, particularly with regard to the management of waste from the activity.
In terms of impact, the company plans to create 23 new jobs by 2022.
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