Fonds d'Investissement et de Soutien aux Entreprises en Afrique (FISEA)

FISEA is a French development fund managed by Proparco, focusing on supporting private investments in Africa.

Established in 2009, FISEA aims to promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent by providing equity investments and technical assistance. The fund targets sectors with high growth potential and aims to create or maintain 100,000 jobs in Africa.

FISEA operates through direct investments and by partnering with other investment funds, emphasizing support for vulnerable populations and regions emerging from crises. The fund's strategy includes investing in various sectors such as agriculture, energy, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, tourism, education, retail, transport, media, real estate, and construction. FISEA's investment size ranges from $1 million to $50 million, catering to different stages of business development, from seed to late-stage investments.

FISEA is managed by Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD), and is part of the French initiative for growth and employment in Africa, launched in 2008. The fund's mission aligns with Proparco's objective to promote sustainable, inclusive, and low-carbon growth models in developing and emerging countries, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FISEA's investments are diversified across numerous African countries, including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

FISEA's portfolio includes investments in various industries, such as agriculture, energy, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, telecommunications, tourism, education, retail, transport, media, real estate, and construction. The fund's approach combines financial support with technical assistance to enhance the management capacities of its investees, ensuring sustainable and impactful growth across the continent.

FISEA's investment requirements include a focus on sectors with high growth potential, a commitment to job creation, and a preference for investments in vulnerable or post-crisis regions. The fund seeks to partner with businesses and financial institutions that align with its mission to foster economic development and resilience in Africa.

FISEA was founded in 2009 and has since been a significant player in supporting private investments in Africa, contributing to the continent's economic development and job creation. The fund continues to seek opportunities to expand its impact and support the growth of SMEs across Africa.