EIB and I&P Launch €15M IPAE 3 Fund to Boost African SMEs and Women Entrepreneurs

EIB and I&P Partner for High-Impact SME Fund in Africa Focused on Job Creation, Women Empowerment, and Climate Action.

During the EIB Group Day, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) announced a new €15 million financial partnership for the I&P Afrique Entrepreneurs 3 (IPAE 3) fund. This initiative aims to boost local businesses with high growth potential in vital sectors such as agriculture, nutrition, health, energy, water, industry, and services.

The agreement was formalized in the presence of EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle and I&P co-CEOs Jérémy Hajdenberg and Sébastien Boyé. With a strong focus on impact-driven objectives, IPAE 3 aims to create over 4,000 direct jobs, with 40% dedicated to women. The fund is also fully aligned with the 2X Challenge criteria supporting women entrepreneurs.

The EIB, alongside the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and Proparco, is among the first investors in this fund, with the goal of unlocking additional investments amounting to 4.5 times its contribution. The initiative will particularly support SMEs in West Africa and Madagascar, targeting regions where private equity funding has been limited. I&P's local presence spans Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Madagascar, while also reaching Benin and Togo.

Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle emphasized that this investment will not only provide crucial financing for start-ups but also foster responsible entrepreneurship and promote women entrepreneurs. "We aim to create jobs and nurture future business leaders while supporting sustainable development," he stated.

I&P co-CEO Sébastien Boyé expressed pride in the ongoing partnership with the EIB, which has been instrumental for nearly two decades. "The EIB's commitment to IPAE 3 validates our approach to financing innovative businesses that tackle Africa's greatest challenges while promoting inclusion, particularly for women," he said.

This initiative marks the fourth collaboration between EIB and I&P, bringing the EIB's total investment in I&P-managed funds to €35.25 million. The financing is part of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Trust Fund, supported by the European Commission under the Team Europe and Global Gateway strategies, which aim to promote sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa.

In 2024 alone, EIB Global invested nearly €3.1 billion in Africa to drive impactful and sustainable projects, cementing its role as a key development partner for the continent.