SOLAFRIQUE is a Burkina Faso company founded in 2014, specializing in access to water and electricity through solar solutions tailored to rural and peri-urban areas. The company designs and installs agricultural irrigation systems, solar mini-grids and solar kits for households, based on flexible payment models such as Pay-As-You-Go. The company is also developing renewable energy training courses to strengthen local skills. Its aim: to make clean energy accessible to all, while improving the living conditions and economic autonomy of rural populations.
The entrepreneur
Ernest ASSO, a 37-year-old engineer from Burkina Faso specializing in solar pumping systems, is the founder of SOLAFRIQUE. With over 10 years' experience in renewable energies, he combines technical expertise, social commitment and entrepreneurial vision to democratize access to energy and water in rural areas.
Partnership with I&P and Néré Capital
Solafrique 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 Burkina Faso, this program is implemented by Néré Capital.
This 196 million F CFA financing will enable SOLAFRIQUE to :
Karaa Solutions Limited is a homegrown technology company that is committed to providing affordable and sustainable energy and transportation solutions to entrepreneurs, businesses and communities in Africa and beyond. Karaa Solutions has a vision to become the leading provider of energy solutions in Africa, empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs and businesses to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
The entrepreneur
Karaa Solutions was created in 2023 by Godfrey Mutabazi a young Ugandan entrepreneur.
Geofrey Mutabazi is the Co-founder and CEO of Karaa. He is an emerging leader passionate about unlocking Africa’s economic potential through entrepreneurship. Geofrey started his first business selling software and video games at 14 and has since launched and run various businesses. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in December 2019 and has 7 years of experience in enterprise and government ICT solution sales. He was the 2018-19 Campus Director of the Hult Prize at ISBAT University, an organization launching the next wave of social entrepreneurs across the world and formerly the 2019-2020 Hult Prize community builder for Uganda, recruiting supporting local universities and change-makers to organize On-Campus initiatives. He is a Global Shaper with the Kampala Hub of Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum and the 2020-2021 Vice Curator of the Global Shapers Kampala Hub.
Partnership with I&P et Inua Capital
Karaa Solutions is supported by I&P Digital Energy, a €4.8 million program aimed at financing and supporting 12 startups and SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa that offer digital solutions for access to affordable energy. The program is backed by the AFD (French Development Agency) and the EU. In Uganda, the implementation of this program is managed by Inua Capital.
This partnership will enable the startup to:
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:
I&P is glad to share the story of SetTIC, a Senegalese company specializing in the treatment of corporate waste (waste electrical and electronic equipment, waste characterization audits and special waste recycling).
SetTIC was founded in 2013 and is run by two women engineers, Boussoura Talla and Julie Repetti, who specialize in information and communication technologies and the environment.
Investisseurs & Partenaires is pleased to announce the launch of I&P Accélération FARM, a program in partnership with Proparco to support agricultural start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Our best wishes for 2025!
- Sébastien Boyé and Jérémy Hajdenberg, co-CEO of I&P
"Dear friends, dear entrepreneurs, dear investors, and partners,
In this new publication, "How Can African SME Funds Mobilize More Capital? Data and Lessons from Pioneering LPs and GPs" sponsored by the Argidius Foundation, Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) provides a comprehensive analysis of the fundraising landscape, fund models and return profiles of SME funds across Africa.
We are proud to announce that Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) has been re-certified as a B Corp™, with a global score of 97 confirming our commitment to a worldwide community of companies that uphold high social and environmental standards.
In this edition n°47 of our quarterly newsletter:
Focus :