30 October 2024
I&P was created in 2002 by Patrice Hoppenot, former co-founder of BC Partners and expert in private equity issues. In 2011, Jean-Michel Severino, previously CEO of the French Development Agency (2001-2010) and Vice-President of the World Bank for Asia (1996-2000), took over the management of the company. I&P currently employs about 30 people, based in Paris and six African local offices (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Madagascar, Senegal)
I&P’s mission is to contribute to the rise of a sustainable and dynamic private sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since the beginning, Investisseurs & Partenaires has aimed to support African entrepreneurs, able to build profitable and sustainable activities with high local added value. For this reason, I&P has developed a specific approach combining financial tools and strategic/operational support.
I&P gathers different impact funds to support the growth of its partner companies, covering financing needs ranging from €30,000 to €3 million.
The Beginnings
Patrice Hoppenot, the former co-founder of BC Partners, started a venture capital initiative dedicated to African entrepreneurs. His idea was to use his skills and experience in private equity to support a greater cause: the economic development of Sub-Saharan Africa.
I&P Développement (IPDEV), a fund with €2m of registered capital, was launched thanks to Patrice and its fellows. In the same year, Patrice hired the first investment officer of I&P, Sébastien Boyé.
In 2003, I&P made its first investments in African-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): CAMED, the third pharmaceutic distributor in Mali and the only actor selling generic drugs and LEGENI, the first private laboratory for geothermic and environmental studies in Niger.
VISION
They believe that the development of Sub-Saharan Africa entails a strong and responsible private sector carried by entrepreneurs and small enterprises, which are able to provide access to essential goods and services and are concerned by the Environmental, Social and Governance issues at all decision-making levels.
MISSION
Contribute to sustainable development and social stability on the African continent by financing and advising entrepreneurs, project initiators and African SMEs who are willing to achieve economic, environmental and social performance.
AMBITION
In the ten years to come, their aim is to contribute to create or develop at least 600 projects, create at least 20,000 jobs and make a difference in the lives of at least 200,000 people, as well as to demonstrate the viability of their model and plead the case of Africa in the world.
