J.-M. Severino shares the insight of the Handbook "Investing in African SGBs" at GIIN meeting

The GIIN (Global Impact Investing Network) held an event designed for those actively engaged in investing in (or gearing up to invest in) early-stage ventures (with a focus particularly on the 'missing middle') delivering basic services in Africa. Jean-Michel Severino, President of Investisseurs & Partenaires, shared insights from the recently released handbook “Investing in African SGBS” and from I&P’s own portfolio.

During the event, participants explored solutions to two shared sets of challenges related to early-stage investing, namely the (perceived) lack of investable ventures and the lack of appropriate capital for investees. Fellow members shared different approaches and structures to addressing these challenges, exploring their performance to date and where additional intervention is needed.

The Handbook “Investing in Africa SGBs”, released last May, have identified financing for the Small and Growing Businesses Sector as a serious gap, thus impeding the growth of the private sector, jobs and economies of Africa.

About the Handbook

Designed in partnership with Ernst & Young, the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs and INSEAD Business Schools, and funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and The Tony Elumelu Foundation, the handbook is  conceived as a tool to foster the development of early-stage SME investment in Africa and encourage the rise of new investors on the continent.

Download the Hanbook