Proparco

Lapaire Glasses Kenya Ltd. is a manufacturer and seller of eyeglasses, including prescription glasses and sunglasses, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The company aims to improve access to affordable eyewear for the lower and middle-income populations in Africa, specifically targeting the 550 million people who need eyeglasses but face barriers to obtaining them. Lapaire offers free vision tests through mobile clinics and an online platform, along with 24/7 chat support, free delivery, and flexible payment options. Its services extend to customers in several African countries, including Uganda, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Mali. By leveraging innovative technology, Lapaire is committed to enhancing eye health and vision for its clients.

NCBA Group Plc is a financial services conglomerate operating in East and West Africa. The company offers a range of services, including retail, corporate, and digital banking, as well as brokerage, bancassurance, and investment banking. Its operations are divided into five segments: Corporate and Institutional Banking, Retail Banking (which encompasses SME and Consumer Banking), Treasury Dealing, Digital Banking, and Investment Banking. The majority of its revenue is generated from Kenya, with additional contributions from Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

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.

Maris Africa is an investment holding company based in Grand Baie, Mauritius, focused on fostering sustainable, long-term growth across various sectors in Africa. The company specializes in investing in early-stage and startup small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in property services, business services, mining, and agriculture and forestry. Maris Africa aims to develop its portfolio companies into scalable and cash-generating businesses, emphasizing active community engagement and proactive management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. Through its strategic investments, Maris Africa seeks to contribute positively to the economic landscape while ensuring responsible business practices.

GoodLife Pharmacy is a retail pharmacy chain based in Nairobi, Kenya, serving over 600,000 customers through 19 convenient locations across East Africa. The company specializes in providing trusted pharmaceuticals and wellness products, alongside a range of health services. These services include monitoring blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and body mass index, as well as offering malaria testing, family nutrition guidance, doctor consultations, and laboratory services. By focusing on affordability and accessibility, GoodLife Pharmacy aims to enhance healthcare availability for its customers.

BCP Bank (Mauritius) Ltd, established in 2003 and headquartered in Ebene, Mauritius, is a comprehensive commercial bank offering a wide range of financial services. It provides retail banking, including savings and current accounts, fixed deposits, and personal loans, as well as corporate banking services such as trade finance, syndicated loans, and treasury management. Additionally, it offers insurance products, foreign exchange services, and private banking. The bank operates through six branches and serves individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, corporates, and international businesses. It is a subsidiary of Banque Centrale Populaire and Groupe Sipromad SA.

Solarise Africa is a pan-African Energy-as-a-Service company headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in financial leasing services for solar and other energy assets aimed primarily at Commercial and Industrial clients. The company provides reliable and affordable decentralized energy solutions, collaborating closely with a selected group of renewable energy solution providers to create tailor-made financial options. By offering upfront investment and manageable payment plans, Solarise Africa enables businesses to deploy clean energy systems that lower their carbon footprint, reduce costs, and enhance productivity. This approach not only supports the growth of their partners but also contributes to the broader progress of energy access and sustainability across Africa.

Merec Industries, SA is a family-owned company based in Maputo, Mozambique, with additional offices in Machava, Beira, and Nacala. Founded in 1998, the company specializes in the manufacturing and sale of wheat and maize-based products, including wheat flour, maize meals, pasta, biscuits, and animal by-products such as dog food and meat feed. Merec Industries aims to strengthen its presence in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and aspires to evolve into an integrated multinational packaged food group. By offering a diverse range of healthy packaged foods, the company serves both the Mozambican and South African markets.

Maris Africa is an investment holding company based in Grand Baie, Mauritius, focused on fostering sustainable, long-term growth across various sectors in Africa. The company specializes in investing in early-stage and startup small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in property services, business services, mining, and agriculture and forestry. Maris Africa aims to develop its portfolio companies into scalable and cash-generating businesses, emphasizing active community engagement and proactive management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. Through its strategic investments, Maris Africa seeks to contribute positively to the economic landscape while ensuring responsible business practices.