I&P Accélération

BIOPROTECT is a production and marketing unit for organic inputs (biopesticides and organic amendments) based on local natural resources (mushrooms, plants, agricultural and livestock residues).  To date, it markets eight products on the Burkinabe market:

•  2 biostimulants/fungicides (to stimulate the natural defences of plants)
• 4 organic insecticides
• 1 food storage warehouse treatment product
• Compost.

Beyond producing and marketing organic inputs, BIOPROTECT offers other services that complement the input activity which are :

• The processing and/or marketing of raw products (tomato puree, green beans, sesame) from the exploitation of market gardeners and farmers accompanied by the company.
• The provision of services (technical support, training, assistance, advice) to natural and legal persons active or wishing to engage in ecological/biological production

ENTREPRENEURS

Mr. Arsène SAVADOGO, is a graduate of a double master's degree in strategy of agri-food companies and in economic and financial engineering of projects and public policies. Mr. SAVADOGO has been managing BIOPROTECT since its creation in 2011. He is currently coordinating a multi-stakeholder consortium (composed of INERA, IRD, ARFA, BIOPHYTECH and BIOPROTECT) led by BIOPROTECT-B which is working on a research and development programme on quality improvement of organic soil improvers funded by the EU. 

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SINERGI BURKINA

Bioprotect is supported by Sinergi Burkina through private equity.

MAIN IMPACTS

• Consolidation of existing jobs and job creation
• Development of sustainable agriculture
• Valorization of local products

ABOUT SINERGI BURKINA

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment 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), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).  → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina

MAÏA AFRICA SAS is a social company based in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso developing solutions to protect African populations from malaria. The first product designed by the company, MAÏA® is a shea butter-based ointment that protects users from Anopheles mosquitoes more than 5 hours after application. After a successful prototyping and test phase, Maïa has just launched the first long-lasting anti-mosquito ointment for the Burkinabe population and more generally West Africa.

ENTREPRENEURS

Gérard Niyondiko is co-founder and managing director. He leads the research with technical partners. Gérard holds a Master's degree in water and sanitation from the 2iE engineering school (Burkina Faso) and a Master's degree in chemistry from the University of Bujumbura (Burundi). He previously worked as a chemistry teacher and technical director for an industrial company.

Franck Langevin is co-founder and president of the company. He is in charge of strategy, operations, marketing and partnerships. Franck has worked for 15 years in the field of marketing of innovative solutions and in international trade. He holds certificates in management from Stanford University (USA), Dublin University (Ireland) and NEOMA (France).

CONTRIBUTIONS BY SINERGI BURKINA

The objectives of partnerships include

• Organizational capacity building
• Financing of mass communication (posters and advertising spot)
• Acquisition of raw materials from local producers

EXPECTED IMPACTS

• Fight against malaria
• Protection of more than 100,000 lives
• Improvement of the incomes of shea butter producers and resellers

ABOUT SINERGI BURKINA

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment 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), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).  → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina

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 learn more

Idée Féminine is an industrial company specialized in the packaging of raw materials. The company counts today in its customer portfolio almost all the large distribution stores of the capital Niamey.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

The founder, Souradja ABDOU ASSOUMA to enter into entrepreneurship by starting processing and marketing informally. She has been a member of the network of the women's entrepreneurship unit of the Niger Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Handicrafts (CCIAN) since 2014, which has enabled her to follow several training modules.

ABOUT

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

Tech Innov is a nigerien company whose main activity is the promotion and marketing of technological solutions for agriculture and irrigation. Since its creation, it has developed a number of innovative solutions, which are part of the promotion of agricultural development.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Abdou Maman KANE is the founder and managing director of Tech Innov. A computer scientist by training, he has developed the concept of digital farms and tele-irrigation system tools in order to help the development of the agricultural sector in Niger. As a social entrepreneur, Abdou Maman KANE aims to revolutionize rudimentary agricultural practices in Niger, particularly in the areas of irrigation and watering. His goal is to provide farmers with tools to enable them to end manual watering and especially reduce water waste.

To promote its digital farm concept and its innovations, it has participated in many exhibitions and competitions where it has won prizes (1st prize at the Social Entrepreneur Competition in Africa organized by France Telecom, a medal at the Geneva International Inventions Fair in 2012 etc.).

ABOUT

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

Created in 2013, Innovatech is a company dedicated to researching technological innovation, production processes and the adoption of new technologies in agriculture.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Prior to entering the entrepreneurial world, Mr. YAHAYA has mainly dedicated his career to research and dissemination of agricultural technology, with more than 32 years of professional career in sub-regional agricultural research organizations. From 1986 to 1991, he was in charge of experiments at the INRAN station in Lossa (Tillabéry), at the Phytopathology Laboratory, at the Laboratory of Phytopathology, and at the Laboratory of Greenhouse and Field Research on millet, peanut and sorghum diseases. Mr. YAHAYA also held the position of Head of Greenhouses, Seed Laboratory and Phylogenetic Bank Management at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) from 1991 to 2017.

ABOUT

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

MADE'S GROUP is an industrial unit specializing in the production and marketing of potato chips, infant flour enriched with moringa and peanut, and juices, all based on the sweet potato.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

SOULEYMANE MADE is a young food and quality engineer. After several professional experiences in the field of agro-industry in Niger, Ivory Coast, and Equatorial Guinea, he created with partners the company DJADO INNOVATION to manufacture juices based on sweet potato before renaming it MADE'SGROUP in April 2017 with the financial support of ASUSU SA.

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

Niger Chaussures is an artisanal company which has a manufacturing and marketing unit of high-end city shoes produced from tanned leather.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

Abdou ALHASSANE began his studies up to high school, which he left to start the craft activity at a very young age. He thus started to produce shoes for men that he exhibited in his workshop located in the artisanal village of Niger. After several trainings, he improved the design of his products and integrated other models including one for women in his product range.

ABOUT

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

Created in 2015, Gaicha is a company specialized in the manufacture and marketing of cosmetic products, in particular soaps and cosmetic oils based on natural products. The raw materials it uses in the design of its products are local. 

THE ENTREPRENEUR

An information systems engineer, Mrs. MAIGUIZO TANKARI Saadatou worked for several years at Orange Niger where she held several positions as engineer and marketing project manager. Because of her strong desire to be entrepreneurial, she created the company Gaicha in 2015 and resigned from her position in November 2016.

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

The Ferme d'Embouche Bovine (FEB) is a unit specializing in livestock farming, more specifically cattle fattening and butchery. As such, it markets several products (fattened beef, fresh meat, etc.).

THE ENTREPRENEUR

The Ferme d'Embouche Bovine (FEB) is an initiative of Donatien ZONGO. Holder of a Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Ouagadougou, he started breeding after several training courses and practical internships in two farms in Ouagadougou and Koudougou.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SINERGI BURKINA 

Within the framework of the partnership with Sinergi Burkina, the objectives are as follows: 

- Implementation of accounting  
- Production equipment 
- Fittings and furniture 
- Computer hardware  
- WCR financing (purchase of cattle + zootechnical inputs) 

ABOUT SINERGI BURKINA 

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment 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), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina 

ABOUT USAID PROGRAM

Investisseurs & Partenaires and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched in 2016 an innovative acceleration program for young companies located in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. The partnership will support high-potential start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises to facilitate their access to financing in a region where the ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship is still underdeveloped. → Click here to find out more

FasoPro is a company that transforms food products based on edible insects. Since 2014 FasoPro offers a range of products based on shea and locust caterpillars. FasoPro is now one of the most successful and award-winning start-ups in the country, having won the special award for the best social impact in 2018.

THE ENTREPRENEUR

FasoPro is an initiative of Kahitouo HIEN. Holder of a Master's degree in Biochemistry-Microbiology obtained in 2009 at the University of Ouagadougou, and a Master's degree in Water and Environmental Engineering, Environment option from the International Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) obtained in 2012, his innovative vision for the company has earned him multiple national and international awards.

CONTRIBUTIONS BY SINERGI BURKINA

Fasopro has been supported by Sinergi Burkina since 2019 as part of the Partnering to Accelerate Entrepreneurship (PACE) program in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The objectives are as follows:

• Financing of mass communication (production of advertising spots and their broadcast on television).
• Reinforcement of FasoPro's production capacity through the purchase of production equipment (oven, fryer, semi-automatic welding machine, etc.) and the purchase of raw material (shea butter caterpillars)

ABOUT SINERGI BURKINA

Created in 2014, Sinergi Burkina is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting SMEs and start-ups in Burkina Faso. Headed by Job Zongo, Sinergi Burkina is the second investment 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), Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap). → To learn more about Sinergi Burkina 

ABOUT USAID PROGRAM

Investisseurs & Partenaires and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched in 2016 an innovative acceleration program for young companies located in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. The partnership will support high-potential start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises to facilitate their access to financing in a region where the ecosystem supporting entrepreneurship is still underdeveloped. → Click here to find out more