Fabrice Creste: Good morning, Caty, thank you for granting us this interview. To begin, could you tell us about the history and objectives of I&P and your own role within the company?
Caty Diokhané: Of course. Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) is an investment company created in 2002. Our mission is to support inclusive economic development in Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, through financing and supporting high-potential entrepreneurs. We are especially active in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Madagascar, and Ghana. We also work through partnerships with local funds, such as Teranga Capital in Senegal, Comoé Capital in Côte d’Ivoire, and Inua Capital in Uganda.
As for me, I coordinate various acceleration programs, particularly in the technology, energy, and agriculture sectors, and I am based in Dakar.
Fabrice Creste: You mentioned that you work on acceleration activities. Could you tell us more?
Caty Diokhané: Absolutely. Acceleration is one of I&P’s intervention methods. It consists of supporting the early development of companies that do not yet have access to equity or bank financing so that they can later access more traditional investment, either externally or through I&P. We identify high-performing companies with strong growth potential and help them scale up. This includes financing and technical assistance, often in partnership with donors such as AFD. We also provide mentoring and training programs to strengthen entrepreneurs’ skills and help them overcome the challenges of rapid growth.
Fabrice Creste: Can you cite examples of acceleration programs you have implemented?
Caty Diokhané: We have several programs, including I&P Digital Energy, which focuses on digital innovation in the energy sector. We also run I&P Acceleration Technologies, which targets African tech companies, and CATAL1.5°T, in partnership with GIZ and the Green Climate Fund, for climate-focused businesses. Another notable program is I&P Acceleration Sahel, developed with the European Union, which mainly supports agribusinesses. Each program is designed to address the specific needs of its sector and maximize the impact of investments.
Fabrice Creste: What distinguishes the Digital Energy program in your view?
Caty Diokhané: I&P has already supported energy sector companies in various ways. But it is through the I&P Digital Energy program that we were able, for the first time, to launch an acceleration program truly centered on the energy sector. Very specific criteria are applied regarding the targeted businesses (solar home systems, solar installations for industries/shopping centers and productive uses, solar irrigation, e-mobility, energy efficiency, innovative models reducing charcoal use), revenue levels (between €50k and €1M for the majority of companies), and innovation, particularly through digitalization.
The program also places strong emphasis on the principle of additionality and systematically ensures that a candidate company has not previously raised €1M in equity.
Another distinguishing feature is the type of financing provided, in the form of repayable advances (over a period of 3.5 years), with no interest rate and no collateral, for amounts ranging from €100k to €500k (with an average of €330k). Each financed company benefits from strategic support from our teams for the entire program duration (2022–2028).
Implementing this program has enabled us to build strong expertise, alongside our partner Gaia Impact Fund, and we hope to develop similar programs again in the future.
Fabrice Creste: Could you give examples of companies you have supported?
Caty Diokhané: Certainly. Solarbox in Senegal is an excellent example. They use solar containers to charge electric vehicles, contributing to clean energy and job creation. Another company is Ibriz, specialized in solar irrigation, which created an inclusive financing model with microfinance institutions: through this model, women farmers’ groups can access Ibriz irrigation equipment via microfinance loans.
Fabrice Creste: What are the criteria for a project to be considered eligible by I&P?
Caty Diokhané: A good project must first be led by someone with deep knowledge of the local market. Then, impact is crucial, especially regarding energy access and economic development. Innovation is also important, as well as growth potential and the company’s ability to repay financing. We also evaluate the sustainability of the business model and the management team’s capacity to execute the growth strategy.
Fabrice Creste: What advice would you give to project leaders who want to approach I&P?
Caty Diokhané: First, you need commercial traction and scaling potential. Then, impact is essential, particularly in ESG terms (environmental, social, governance). Finally, entrepreneurs’ openness to support is critical for success. The leader must accept being challenged by our teams on both figures and vision.
Fabrice Creste: What are the most common challenges faced by the companies you support?
Caty Diokhané: The challenges are numerous and varied. Access to financing is often a major obstacle, especially for startups. Managing rapid growth can also be problematic, particularly in terms of human resources and logistics. Moreover, companies must navigate complex and sometimes unstable regulatory environments. We help them overcome these challenges by providing strategic advice and connecting them with support networks.
Fabrice Creste: How do you see the future of investment in Africa?
Caty Diokhané: I am very optimistic. Africa has enormous potential, with a young, dynamic population and abundant natural resources. Investments in key sectors like energy, agriculture, and technology can transform the economy and improve people’s quality of life. We must continue to strengthen local ecosystems and promote sustainable business models to ensure inclusive and equitable growth.
Fabrice Creste: Thank you very much, Caty, for these valuable insights. We look forward to seeing I&P’s next developments.
Caty Diokhané: Thank you, Fabrice. Have a great day.
Caty Diokhané
Program Manager
Investisseurs & Partenaires – I&P
