FMO

FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, is a financial institution based in The Hague, Netherlands, founded in 1970 through a collaboration between the Dutch government and various financial entities. It focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries and emerging markets across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe. FMO provides a diverse range of financial products, including long-term project financing, private equity, loans, guarantees, and mezzanine financing. Its investment portfolio is primarily allocated to financial institutions, energy, agribusiness, food and water, and private equity. By offering capital, expertise, and networks, FMO aims to foster sustainable economic development and empower local businesses and projects.

Linda Broekhuizen

Chief Investment Officer

Michael Jongeneel

CEO

Huib-Jan de Ruijter

Chief Investment Officer

Past deals in East Africa

Hydrobox

Debt Financing in 2024
Hydrobox specializes in the development and manufacturing of hydropower plants that harness the energy of flowing water to generate electricity. The company focuses on renewable energy solutions, including mini-grids and solar power, aimed at improving electrification and reliability in off-grid areas, particularly in Kenya. By leveraging advanced AI technology and smart grid services, Hydrobox enhances the efficiency and sustainability of its energy systems, contributing to broader efforts in promoting clean energy and environmental sustainability.

Ecobank

Post in 2023
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a public limited liability company under a private sector initiative spearheaded by the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In the early 1980’s foreign and state-owned banks dominated the banking industry in West Africa. Commercial banks in West Africa owned and managed by the African private sector were a rarity. Its founders created ETI with the objective of filling this vacuum. The Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce promoted and initiated a project to create a private, regional banking institution in West Africa. In 1984, Ecopromotions S.A. was incorporated. Its founding shareholders raised seed capital for feasibility studies and the promotional activities leading to the creation of ETI. In October 1985, ETI was incorporated with authorised capital of US$100 million. The initial paid up capital of US$32 million was raised from over 1,500 individuals and institutions from West African countries. The largest shareholder was the ECOWAS Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development (ECOWAS Fund), the development finance arm of ECOWAS. Ecobank signed a Headquarters’ Agreement with the Government of Togo in 1985, which granted it the status of an international organisation. This status came with the rights and privileges necessary for ETI to operate as a regional institution, including the status of a non-resident financial institution. ETI commenced operations with its first subsidiary in Togo in March 1988.

Dashen Bank

Debt Financing in 2023
Dashen Bank is a commercial bank based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, established in 1995. It provides a range of financial services, including saving deposits, current deposits, and fixed time deposits. The bank also offers various loan products such as consumer loans, term loans, merchandise loans, project loans, and overdraft facilities. In addition to traditional banking services, Dashen Bank features interest-free banking options and digital banking solutions, catering to the diverse needs of its customers. The bank is involved in international trade and provides guarantees, enhancing its role in the financial landscape of Ethiopia.

Equity Group Holdings

Post in 2022
Equity Group Holdings is a financial services provider based in Nairobi, Kenya. It operates primarily through Equity Bank Kenya, which is a licensed commercial bank regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. Equity Bank Kenya was established in 2014 following a corporate restructure of Equity Group Holdings Limited. The organization offers a range of banking and financial services aimed at various customer segments, contributing to the financial inclusion and economic empowerment of individuals and businesses in the region.

ASOBO

Grant in 2020
ASOBO, founded in 2019 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in manufacturing electric outboard engines powered by lithium batteries, specifically designed for fishermen on Lake Victoria, East Africa. The company aims to create a sustainable platform for e-mobility in emerging markets by providing a full-service offering that allows fishermen to utilize clean energy at a lower cost. ASOBO's electric outboard engines promote environmentally friendly practices in the fishing industry, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions while enhancing the efficiency and affordability of fishing operations.

Yalelo

Debt Financing in 2019
Yalelo Limited is a leading aquaculture firm based in Lusaka, Zambia, specializing in the breeding, production, and sale of tilapia fish. Founded in 2011, Yalelo has positioned itself as a pioneer in the Zambian fisheries sector, addressing the challenges faced by wild-capture fisheries through sustainable practices. The company cultivates tilapia in the pristine waters of Lake Kariba, utilizing locally sourced, non-GMO fish feed and maintaining a robust cold chain to ensure product quality. By focusing on environmentally friendly methods, Yalelo provides affordable, fresh fish to customers across the nation, significantly enhancing the consumer experience and contributing to the development of sustainable fisheries resources in Africa.

Apollo Agriculture

Debt Financing in 2018
Apollo Agriculture, established in 2015, is a Kenyan agtech company based in Nairobi. It specializes in providing smallholder farmers with access to critical farming inputs, financing, and advisory services. Apollo's innovative platform employs agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology to assess credit risk and tailor financial and technical assistance to each farmer's unique needs and location. This approach enables farmers to enhance their yields and profits, with a focus on emerging markets, starting in Kenya.

Mobisol

Series B in 2016
Mobisol GmbH is a Berlin-based company that specializes in the development and installation of solar home systems, aimed at providing clean and affordable electricity to low-income customers without access to conventional power sources. Founded in 2010, Mobisol offers modular solar energy solutions that power LED lights, radios, mobile phones, and various household appliances, along with productive use devices. The company combines solar technology with an innovative repayment scheme facilitated through mobile banking, making it accessible for its target market. With additional offices in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, Mobisol focuses on delivering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, enhancing energy access and promoting environmental sustainability in developing nations. As of October 31, 2019, Mobisol operates as a subsidiary of ENGIE SA.

Ecobank

Debt Financing in 2015
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a public limited liability company under a private sector initiative spearheaded by the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry with the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In the early 1980’s foreign and state-owned banks dominated the banking industry in West Africa. Commercial banks in West Africa owned and managed by the African private sector were a rarity. Its founders created ETI with the objective of filling this vacuum. The Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce promoted and initiated a project to create a private, regional banking institution in West Africa. In 1984, Ecopromotions S.A. was incorporated. Its founding shareholders raised seed capital for feasibility studies and the promotional activities leading to the creation of ETI. In October 1985, ETI was incorporated with authorised capital of US$100 million. The initial paid up capital of US$32 million was raised from over 1,500 individuals and institutions from West African countries. The largest shareholder was the ECOWAS Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development (ECOWAS Fund), the development finance arm of ECOWAS. Ecobank signed a Headquarters’ Agreement with the Government of Togo in 1985, which granted it the status of an international organisation. This status came with the rights and privileges necessary for ETI to operate as a regional institution, including the status of a non-resident financial institution. ETI commenced operations with its first subsidiary in Togo in March 1988.

African Century

Debt Financing in 2015
African Century is a private equity firm established in 2008 and based in Grand Baie, Mauritius. The company specializes in a variety of financial services, including lease finance, retail banking, corporate banking, treasury, and international banking solutions. It aims to provide tailored financial products to meet the diverse needs of its clients while supporting economic growth and development. Additionally, African Century focuses its investments in sectors such as food, financial services, real estate, and agriculture. The firm employs a workforce of 250 individuals dedicated to delivering innovative financial solutions.

African Century

Debt Financing in 2012
African Century is a private equity firm established in 2008 and based in Grand Baie, Mauritius. The company specializes in a variety of financial services, including lease finance, retail banking, corporate banking, treasury, and international banking solutions. It aims to provide tailored financial products to meet the diverse needs of its clients while supporting economic growth and development. Additionally, African Century focuses its investments in sectors such as food, financial services, real estate, and agriculture. The firm employs a workforce of 250 individuals dedicated to delivering innovative financial solutions.

Family Bank

Private Equity Round in 2010
Family Bank is a commercial bank based in Kenya, operating since May 2007 and regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya. With a growing customer base exceeding 1.7 million, it has established a network of 93 branches across the country. The bank primarily focuses on providing financial services to underserved segments of the market, including small-scale farmers, salaried employees, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as youth and women. Additionally, it serves larger corporate clients to enhance its deposit base. Family Bank is noted for being the first in Kenya to implement paperless banking through smart card technology, reflecting its commitment to innovation in financial services.
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