I&P Accélération

BARKA is an agro-industrial company based in Kankan, Upper Guinea, specializing in the production and processing of paddy rice into parboiled rice. The company operates a modern rice mill that transforms raw paddy rice, as harvested from the fields, into parboiled rice ready for consumption. 

The entrepreneurs 

BARKA was founded in 2021 by the KABA brothers with the ambition of transforming their family rice-farming activity into a modern industrial enterprise. 

• Mohamed KABA, the Managing Director, holds a Master’s degree in Risk Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the City University of New York. He initiated the project in 2020 and currently leads the company’s development strategies and partnerships. His expertise in management and finance plays a key role in BARKA’s growth. 
• Kabinet KABA earned a degree in Mathematics from the City University of New York in 2021. After gaining experience as a financial analyst, he joined BARKA in 2022. He currently serves as Acting Operations Director, responsible for process optimization and team coordination. 
• Abdoulaye KABA is the Logistics and Sales Director. He holds a degree in Logistics Economics from the City University of New York (2018) and previously worked as a logistics assistant before joining BARKA in 2021. He leverages his expertise in supply chain management and distribution to actively contribute to the company’s expansion. 

Partnership with I&P and Gola Capital 

BARKA benefits from the support of the I&P Acceleration FARM program. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen the company’s technical and organizational capacities through several key initiatives: 

• Acquisition of a paddy rice cleaning machine to increase the mill’s productivity; 
• Establishment of a strategic stock of 200 tons of paddy rice; 
• Strengthening of financial and commercial management skills; 
• Active contribution to the promotion of the national rice value chain and to the reinforcement of food security. 

ASSAHORE & KO is a honey production and marketing company positioned in the premium segment. The company, best known under its brand name Colonie, was established in 2023. Its clientele includes individuals, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, and gourmet shops. Processing and packaging activities are carried out at its production site located in Bingerville, a city within the Abidjan metropolitan area. 

The entrepreneur

ASSAHORE & KO was founded by young Ivorian entrepreneur Alex Assahoré. He holds a Master’s degree in International Marketing from Hult International Business School (2021), a Bachelor’s in Business Economics from Georgia State University in Atlanta (2018), and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the International University of Grand-Bassam in Côte d’Ivoire (2016). Between 2018 and 2021, he completed an internship in the public administration, specifically within the Department of Strategic Studies, Development and Projects of the General Directorate of Economy of Côte d’Ivoire. During that period, he also launched a food kiosk and delivery service, and experimented with selling bracelets and hibiscus leaves. These diverse experiences strengthened his entrepreneurial mindset and ability to innovate. After a two-year preparation phase, which included an in-depth market study on honey and the installation of beehives, Alex Assahoré founded ASSAHORE & KO in 2023. 

Partnership with I&P and Comoe Capital

ASSAHORE & KO benefits from the support of I&P Acceleration FARM, a €4 million program backed by Proparco and designed to finance around twenty SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa operating across the agricultural value chain (product processing, primary agriculture, livestock, fish farming, distribution, sale of equipment and inputs, agritech, etc.). In Côte d’Ivoire, the program is implemented by Comoé Capital. 

This partnership will enable the SME to finance: 

• The purchase of raw materials; 
• The purchase of packaging; 
• Marketing and communication activities; 
• The establishment of working capital. 

APA Original Kisubi Tea Limited is a Ugandan beverage company that manufactures a variety of flavoured teas. The origins of this company date back to 2007, when the founder conducted a research trip with smallholder farmers in Mpigi District and was enthused with the idea of flavouring locally available beverages. This led to the birth of APA Tea in 2011 its flagship product, Kisubi Tea, a lemongrass-infused loose-leaf black tea. From humble beginnings with one product offering, the business, today, has a production facility located in Kampala and has expanded its product offerings to 29 SKUs. 

The entrepreneur

Anthea Ibembe is the COO of APA Tea and its de facto chief executive. She has over 10 years of experience in tea spicing and manufacturing, having joined the company while completing her undergraduate studies. Today, at 28, she has earned the company’s leadership, and as Chief Operating Officer continues to guide the company to greater heights. Anthea holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Communication from Makerere University and a postgraduate degree in Marketing from Edinburgh Business School and is a 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow. 

Partnership with I&P and Inua Capital 

APA Tea is supported by I&P FARM, a €4 million program aimed at financing and supporting startups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa within the agricultural value chain. The program is backed by Proparco and is implemented and managed by Inua Capital in Uganda and Kenya. 

This partnership will enable the startup to: 

• Finance the purchase of a single-use laminate tea bagging machine to open new markets within the hospitality sector 
• Provide a working capital buffer to service new markets 
• Support business formalisation efforts 

Africa Spices Limited is a Ugandan agro-processing company that manufactures, markets and distributes spices and seasoning mixes. The company processes herbs and vegetables into ready-to-use mixes for your everyday seasoning needs in the kitchen offering a wide array of selections to match all your cooking and flavouring requirements. Today, Africa Spices has distribution routes covering each major region in Uganda: Central, Northern and Eastern and has grown to ~29 SKUs packaged in 50 g and 100g containers. 

The entrepreneur

Africa Spices was co-founded by Johnpaul Ssengendo, a small-scale farmer and passionate entrepreneur with strong ambitions. While working as an insurance agent with UAP, he visited Zanzibar (Tanzania) and was impressed by the depth and vibrancy of its spice market. Inspired by this visit, he started Africa Spices with Michael Kibuuka – a former classmate in high school and a food scientist working in spice production – using his farm as the source and leveraging output from neighbouring farms. He holds a Diploma in Business Administration from Makerere University.  

Partnershup with I&P and Inua Capital

Africa Spices is supported by I&P FARM, a €4 million program aimed at financing and supporting startups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa within the agricultural value chain. The program is backed by Proparco and is implemented and managed by Inua Capital in Uganda and Kenya. 

This partnership will enable the startup to: 

• Finance the purchase of a mixer and grinder machine to improve efficiencies in production 
• Provide sufficient working capital to pursue new markets 
• Support business formalization efforts 

Founded in 2016, CEGEDI (Centre de Gestion des Déchets Industriels) is a Guinean company specializing in the collection, sorting, and treatment of industrial waste, such as plastics, scraps, metal packaging, and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). It also offers consulting and assistance services, as well as solutions for the disposal and recovery of used oils. To carry out its activities, it operates at four strategic sites:

• Nongo-Contéyah headquarters: Administration and WEEE dismantling center;
• Maferinya site: Sorting, storage, and bioremediation center for contaminated soil;
• Tanènè site: Used oil recycling and refining unit;
• Sonfonia platform: Composting unit.

Entrepreneurs

Sékou CISSE (Managing Director and Co-partner) is an experienced Guinean entrepreneur. He has built up his expertise in logistics since 1975, working with international NGOs before founding his own company, GMS, serving leading clients such as Rio Tinto and GAC. Concerned about environmental issues, he created CEGEDI in 2016 to provide a solution for industrial waste treatment based on the polluter pays principle.

Martin HASSANE (Co-partner) is an expert in renewable energies. As an investment partner, he contributes his expertise in management and strategy to CEGEDI's decision-making process, without being involved in day-to-day operations.

Cegedi is accompanied by I&P and Gola Capital through the CATAL1.5°T program. The funds raised will be used to: 

• Finance the establishment of a unit for converting plastic waste into granules;
• Strengthen governance and financial management;
• Revitalize the sales and marketing function;
• Reinforce staff expertise on climate issues.

Key Impacts 

The expected impacts over the next three years are :

• Recycling of 2,246,400 kg of plastic waste;
• Production of 2,134,080 kg of granules;
• Reduction of 3,677.02 tons of CO2eq.

Find out more

• Site internet 
• Page Facebook de Cegedi

Founded in 2016, Recycling is a Togolese company specializing in the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic waste.

The company transforms the plastic waste it collects into secondary raw materials, in the form of plastic chips and pellets, for use by plastics manufacturers. By offering recycled pellets, Recycling provides a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative, enabling plastics manufacturers to reduce their production costs.

To date, Recycling has collected more than 20,000 tons of plastic waste, contributing to a significant reduction in plastic pollution in Togo. The company works closely with a network of more than 3,000 collectors and employs 39 people, including 17 women, generating a significant economic and social impact for all stakeholders in the chain.

Recycling is led by Tchomela N'Yabé Bekounim, a graduate in ecology and environmental sciences from the University of Lomé and founder of the VEGA association, an organization committed to raising public awareness of environmental protection and waste management. His commitment to the environment and communities has been recognized and rewarded on several occasions. In particular, he was the winner of the FAIEJ (Fund to Support Youth Economic Initiatives) green projects competition and the KPEKPE Togo 2017 competition, and came third in the “Africa is Calling You” Challenge in the same year.

In 2021, he received support from UNDP Togo through the Togolese Facility for Acceleration and Innovation (FTAI).

I&P has partnered with Recycling to:

• Strengthen the company's production capacity;
• Improve the production process;
• Develop the production site; and
• Provide technical support to improve accounting, financial management, and internal organization.

Main Impacts 

• By producing 456 tons of recycled plastic pellets in the first year after investment, Recycling will prevent approximately 2,000 tons of CO2eq.
• Creation of 37 jobs over a period of 3 years.

Find out more

• Recylcing website
• Recycling facebook page 

KANEL Pâtisserie is a Senegalese company specializing in the bakery and pastry sector, particularly in the production and sale of sweet and savory treats inspired by both local culinary traditions and Western classics. Founded in 2019, the company offers a wide range of products, including fine pastries, Viennese pastries, personalized cakes, desserts, as well as breads and savory snacks. It stands out for its use of local fruits and ingredients such as bouye, ditakh, bissap, and madd, to revisit recipes with an authentic Senegalese touch.

KANEL focuses on high-quality artisanal production, meticulous product design, and a refined customer experience, whether in-store or via online ordering.

Entrepreneurs

Founded in 2019 by Marguerite DIOH, Daniel SARR, and Rouguiatou DIAW, KANEL is a Senegalese company that promotes local expertise through a range of artisanal sweet and savory pastries featuring local flavors. Coming from the public sector, Marguerite passionately retrained as a pastry chef, building up a small business with 20 employees. Rouguiatou brings her expertise in marketing and business development, while Daniel supports strategy and governance. Together, they are positioning KANEL as an innovative player in Senegal's agri-food sector.

Partnership with I&P and Teranga Gestion

KANEL benefits from the support of the I&P Acceleration FARM program, a €4 million initiative designed to finance and support 28 African companies operating in the agricultural sector. This program is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) through its subsidiary dedicated to the private sector, Proparco.

This strategic partnership will enable KANEL to:

• Finance its working capital requirements in order to support the increase in its production capacity;
• Strengthen its production equipment, increase its storage capacity for seasonal raw materials, and expand its product range;
• Deploy a structured marketing and sales strategy to better address its target markets and support its growth.

CHEZBIO is a young Cameroonian company operating in the agri-food sector. It stands out for its artisanal production of agri-food processing equipment and ground spices. By adopting an import substitution approach, the company actively contributes to reducing dependence on imports, while providing concrete solutions to post-harvest losses. CHEZBIO thus facilitates access for agricultural and agri-food entrepreneurs to suitable and affordable equipment, promoting the creation of sustainable local value.

The entrepreneur

CHEZBIO, formally established in 2021 but active since 2019, was founded by Brice KENE TAKALA, a 30-year-old Cameroonian web application developer. Following facial paralysis in 2018 caused by intense work-related stress, he adopted a diet based on natural products. Faced with the unavailability of processing equipment on the local market, he retrained as a manufacturer of agri-food processing equipment, putting his technical skills to use in developing tailored and accessible solutions.

Partnership with I&P

CHEZBIO is supported by I&P FARM, a €4 million program aimed at financing and supporting 28 start-ups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on French-speaking countries in West, Central, and East Africa, in the agricultural sector supported by PROPARCO. In Cameroon, the program is being implemented by Fako Capital.

This partnership will enable this SME to:

• Finance the establishment of an R&D design office with a view to offering equipment for a more professional clientele;
• Develop production sites with a view to optimizing productivity and improving working conditions for employees;
• Strengthen its team, mainly in production, but also in administration and sales.

Founded in 2005, Baobab Des Saveurs generates its revenue primarily through the wholesale of processed products made from leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers, etc. The company specializes in the promotion, production, and marketing of natural, ethical, diverse, and innovative ingredients derived from West African plants. Its flagship products include oils, powders, and leaves, with baobab as its signature product.

The company has demonstrated its resilience in the face of challenges over the years and has distinguished itself through its commitment to producing high-quality products while promoting fair trade and local development.

The entrepreneur

Pierre-Gilles COMMEAT, a tropical agronomist by training, is the founder and manager of Baobab Des Saveurs.

Thanks to his expertise in the agricultural field, he has conducted several training courses, feasibility studies, surveys, diagnostics, and implementations for prestigious organizations such as the FAO, CIRAD, and GRET between 2001 and 2016.

He has more than 19 years of professional/entrepreneurial experience in the agricultural sector.

Partnership with I&P and Gaia Impact

Baobab Des Saveurs benefits from the support of the I&P Acceleration FARM program, a €4 million initiative designed to finance and support 28 African companies operating in the agricultural sector. This program is supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) through its subsidiary dedicated to the private sector, Proparco.

This strategic partnership will enable the company to:

• Improve the availability of its products throughout the year;
• Achieve better international positioning and strengthen its position in the local market;
• Reduce its dependence on fossil fuels;
• Improve working conditions for its employees and product quality.

ETS KAO is an Ivorian company founded in 2018, specializing in the processing and marketing of food products. It manufactures and distributes powders and spices, oilseed pastes (peanut, pistachio, cashew, etc.), as well as flours and pulps. Its products are intended for the local market, particularly large and medium-sized supermarkets, wholesalers, convenience stores, and individuals. Processing and packaging activities are carried out at its production site located in Abobo, a district of Abidjan.

The entrepreneur

Odette KASSI is the founder of ETS KAO. With a high school diploma, she has over 10 years of experience in the food products sector in Côte d'Ivoire. After a career in primary education, she launched her food products business in 2011. Faced with issues related to expiration dates, she shifted her focus to the processing of oilseeds and dried food products. In 2013, she created the sole proprietorship ETS KAO, which became a limited liability company in 2018.

Partnership with I&P and Proparco

ETS KAO benefits from the support of I&P Accélération FARM, a €4 million program backed by proparco and designed to finance around 20 SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa active across the entire agricultural value chain (product processing, primary agriculture, livestock farming, fish farming, distribution, equipment and input sales, agritech, etc.). In Côte d'Ivoire, this program is implemented by Comoé Capital.

This partnership will enable the SME to finance:

• The purchase of a delivery vehicle;
• The acquisition of additional equipment (bagging machines, labeling machines);
• Communication activities for new products;
• Renovation work to install new equipment;
• Working capital requirements.