Ivory Coast

Founded in 2021, POUYOU SARL is an Ivorian company specializing in the production and marketing of fortified infant cereals. The company was established as part of an effort to combat child malnutrition by leveraging local expertise. From its production facility in Bingerville, the company manufactures infant cereals using local raw materials—including rice, corn, peanuts, and soybeans—purchased from small-scale local farmers.

The entrepreneur 

Marie-Ange EHOUNOU is the founder and manager of POUYOU SARL. After earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communication in 2013, she began her career in the production and marketing of agricultural products. 

In 2018, after successfully treating her son’s childhood malnutrition with the help of a nutritionist, she decided to volunteer alongside the nutritionist, supporting mothers who came in for consultations regarding the same issue. This experience led her to pursue training in nutrition, upon completion of which she earned a state-certified nutritionist diploma. In 2021, she began sharing educational content and personalized advice on child nutrition before founding POUYOU SARL to promote appropriate child nutrition using local products.

Partnership with I&P and Proparco 

POUYOU SARL is receiving support from I&P Accélération FARM, a 4-million-euro program backed by Proparco and designed to finance some 20 SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa operating across the entire agricultural value chain (product processing, primary agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture, distribution, sale of equipment and inputs, agritech, etc.). In Côte d’Ivoire, this program is implemented by Comoé Capital. 

This partnership will enable the SME to finance: 

Team expansion through the recruitment of key personnel and the payment of salaries; 
The purchase of equipment; 
The purchase of raw materials; 
The purchase of packaging.

CAFREX is an Ivorian company founded in 2022 by Mr. Bouaké SANGARÉ. It specializes in the production and sale of locally grown rice in Côte d’Ivoire. The company primarily offers polished rice, packaged in bulk bags for wholesale, as well as in retail sizes sold at its retail location.

In addition to its processing operations, CAFREX also provides mechanized services to rice producers, including mechanized agricultural services designed to improve the productivity of rice farms. CAFREX’s customer base consists, on the one hand, of wholesalers involved in the distribution of milled rice in local and urban markets, and, on the other hand, of agricultural cooperatives and individual producers who benefit from mechanized services. Distribution takes place primarily from the production facility as well as through a retail outlet located in Abidjan, in the Cocody Angré district. 

The Entrepreneur

Mr. Bouaké Sangaré is an agricultural engineer specializing in crop production. He graduated from the Private Institute of Tropical Agriculture (INPRAT) in Adzopé, where he earned an Associate’s degree in tropical agronomy (2013) and later a bachelor’s degree in engineering (2019), after earning a Series D high school diploma from Lycée Antoine Gauzé in Daloa. He has over ten years of experience in the agricultural sector, having started as an intern at SODEFOR (2014) and then at the Société Agro Piscicole de la Mé (2015), before managing the agro-pastoral farm of the Comptoir Ivoirien des Produits Tropicaux (CIPAX) between 2015 and 2017. He then served as Production Manager at GANLOGIS (2018–2019), followed by Technical Director at Africa Agreco from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022, he has been the manager of the Compagnie Africaine d’Expertise Agricole (CAFREX). Thanks to this varied and progressive career path, Mr. Sangaré possesses solid expertise in agricultural management, crop production, and technical support for farms. 

Partnership with I&P and Proparco 

CAFREX is supported by I&P Accélération FARM, a €4 million program backed by Proparco and designed to finance some 20 SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa operating across the entire agricultural value chain (product processing, primary agriculture, livestock farming, aquaculture, distribution, sale of equipment and inputs, agritech, etc.). In Côte d’Ivoire, this program is implemented by Comoé Capital. 

This partnership will enable the SME to finance:  

• The purchase of raw materials (paddy); 
• The acquisition of a truck. 

BALIF SARL is an Ivorian company founded in 2019, specialized in cassava processing. It operates a production unit located in Abengourou, in the locality of Yakassé Feyassé. 

The company was created with the aim of adding value to local agricultural products while generating value in rural areas. Its core activities include the production and marketing of attiéké garba and cassava paste, mainly targeting small retailers (garbadromes), wholesalers, as well as a limited number of individual customers. 

The entrepreneur 

Xavier Patrick BALIFI, 41, an Ivorian national, is the founder of BALIF SARL. He holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance and has over 15 years of experience in climate project management, green finance, and sustainable agriculture across Africa. 

He has held several positions of responsibility, particularly in the steering and coordination of projects in these fields. Driven by the ambition to empower rural communities and contribute to the fight against hunger, he founded BALIF SARL in 2019. 

Partnership with I&P and Proparco 

BALIF SARL benefits from the support of I&P Accélération 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, aquaculture, 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 a grating mill; 
• The acquisition of a collection truck; 
• The purchase of a hydraulic press; 
• The purchase of a defibering machine; 
• Expansion works for the production unit. 

BIOANI is an Ivorian company founded in 2022, specialized in the valorization of organic waste and the local production of biological fertilizers. Its solution is based on the breeding of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to transform organic waste into a high-performance natural fertilizer called Vitalisol. This fertilizer helps reduce the use of imported chemical fertilizers and strengthens soil fertility. In doing so, BIOANI contributes to the decarbonization of agricultural production and the local valorization of organic waste. 

As part of its development, BIOANI joined the CATAL1.5°T program, benefiting from seed funding aimed at industrializing its production. This support includes working capital financing to ensure operational continuity during scale-up, strengthening logistics through the purchase of vehicles for sourcing and delivery, and structuring accounting and ESG management. In the long term, the company aims to become a key player in sustainable fertilization in Côte d’Ivoire by increasing its production capacity and contributing to the climate resilience of the agricultural sector. 

The entrepreneur 

Thibault GUILLE holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics & Management from McGill University in Montreal and a Master of Science in Management from Università Bocconi in Milan. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BIOANI. 

His professional background includes several roles in finance and strategy. He worked as a Credit Risk Analyst at Bpifrance in 2016, then as a Strategy Consultant at 180 Degrees Consulting from 2016 to 2017. In 2018, he served as a Corporate Strategy Analyst at Orano, followed by a role as Consultant at Kea & Partners in 2019. He was also a Finance and Operations Analyst at Quicksign between 2019 and 2020. From 2020 to 2022, Thibault GUILLE worked as an Investment Officer at Proparco in Abidjan, where he contributed to the appraisal and monitoring of investments in West Africa, developing strong knowledge of African SMEs and environmentally focused projects. 

Partnership with I&P and Comoé Capital 

I&P has committed alongside BIOANI under the CATAL1.5°T program, implemented in Côte d’Ivoire by Comoé Capital, through: 

• Repayable financing of FCFA 68,211,000, disbursed in three tranches subject to performance KPIs; 
• The provision of technical assistance in financial and organizational management; 
• Strengthening reporting and financial structuring; 
• Strategic support to facilitate the company’s scale-up. 

Key impacts 

• Climate: valorization of 6,892 tons of waste and sales of Vitalisol fertilizer, contributing to a reduction of up to −19,174 tCO2e in 2026; 
• Social: creation and formalization of 54 jobs by 2030; 
• Agriculture: sustainable improvement in productivity and resilience of agricultural operations in the face of climate change. 

Green Agro Valley is an Ivorian company specialized in irrigation and water access solutions for agriculture. It was founded with the aim of addressing structural constraints in Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural sector, notably dependence on climate variability and high energy costs. Its core expertise lies in solar-powered irrigation systems and solar drilling solutions, which help secure water supply while reducing the carbon footprint of agricultural operations. 

As part of its development, Green Agro Valley joined the CATAL1.5°T program, benefiting from repayable financing intended to strengthen its operational capacity. This support focuses in particular on building strategic inventories, acquiring heavy equipment for drilling activities, and strengthening financial structuring and reporting. In the long term, the company aims to consolidate its position in the Ivorian market for sustainable irrigation solutions and to contribute to the climate resilience of the agricultural sector. 

The entrepreneur 

Koffi Appessika Adanin Laurent is an engineer in Industrial Mechanics and Automation, trained at INP-HB, with a specialization in irrigation and solar pumping acquired in India. He began his career as a Project Manager at Bolloré Transport & Logistics, before contributing to a Lean Manufacturing project at SITAB. In 2018, he founded Green Agro Valley to address water access challenges in agriculture and now devotes himself full time to the company’s development. 

Partnership with I&P and Comoé Capital 

I&P has committed alongside Green Agro Valley under the CATAL1.5°T program, implemented in Côte d’Ivoire by Comoé Capital, through: 

• Repayable financing of FCFA 98,240,175, disbursed in three tranches subject to performance KPIs; 
• The provision of technical assistance in financial and organizational management; 
• Strengthening of reporting and financial structuring; 
• Strategic support to facilitate the company’s scale-up. 

Key impacts 

• Climate: deployment of solar irrigation solutions potentially contributing to a reduction of −1,256 tCO2e in 2026; 
• Social: creation and formalization of 16 jobs; 
• Agriculture: sustainable improvement in productivity and resilience of agricultural operations in the face of climate change. 

OHEL International is an Ivorian construction company founded with the ambition to meet the growing demand for housing in Côte d’Ivoire while integrating an environmentally friendly approach. Its core expertise lies in the use of Stabilized Compressed Earth Blocks (BTCS), made from lateritic soil, sand, and cement, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of construction.

Over the years, OHEL has built a strong reputation as an eco-friendly construction company thanks to the quality of its projects. The company has completed more than 500 buildings (schools, clinics, sports complexes, villas, apartment buildings, latrines, etc.) and collaborates with individuals, public institutions, private companies, and international organizations.

The entrepreneur

Marina NOBOUT is an Ivorian entrepreneur and the sole shareholder of OHEL. A commercial engineer by training, she began her career in 2001 in the real estate sector (SIEGIM-CI) before holding senior management positions in several security and construction companies.

In 2010, she founded OHEL to address two key challenges:

• The housing deficit in Côte d’Ivoire (estimated at 500,000 units);
• The need for low-carbon solutions in the construction sector.

Her leadership has earned her several distinctions, including the International Marrakech Ecology Award (2016) and the BTCS Leader Award in Côte d’Ivoire (2022).

Partnership with I&P and Comoe Capital

I&P has partnered with Comoé Capital to support OHEL through:

• A reimbursable financing of 129,459,539 FCFA, disbursed in three tranches based on performance KPIs;
• Technical assistance in accounting: implementation of an ERP system, recruitment and training of an accountant, and strengthening of financial reporting;
• ESG and climate support: staff training and enhancement of the environmental impact of BTCS construction;
• Commercial and technical development: design of a marketing strategy and optimization of BTCS brick production through new equipment.

Main impacts

• Climate: reduction of 2.072 tCO₂eq per BTCS house built;
• Gender: woman-led enterprise;
• Social: job creation.

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. 

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.

EV.Tech is an Ivorian company specializing in the electric mobility sector, more specifically in the supply of recharging solutions for electric vehicles. The company offers complete solutions for electric vehicle recharging, including installation and maintenance of recharging stations, and offers the Neo Charging mobile application, which enables drivers to easily locate recharging stations in the NEO multi-operator network, consult their status in real time (availability, rates, etc.) and track their vehicle's state of charge.

The entrepreneurs

EV.Tech was founded in 2023 by Esther DAGRI and Florent THOMAS, two experienced entrepreneurs with nearly 30 years' experience in Côte d'Ivoire. Aware that charging infrastructure for electric vehicles was lagging behind, they launched NEO, the first national network of charging stations, to meet a crucial challenge: accelerating the energy transition and making electromobility accessible, reliable and connected.

Partnership with I&P and Gaia Impact

EV.Tech is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a 4.8 million euro program to finance and support a dozen start-ups and SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa offering digital solutions for access to affordable energy, backed by AFD and the EU. In Côte d'Ivoire, this program is implemented by Comoé Capital. 

This partnership will enable the start-up to:

• Finance the purchase of terminals to enable maximum expansion with strategic partners;
• Strengthen its team, mainly in sales;
• Approve the Mobile charging solution concept.