In a significant move aimed at bolstering food security and fostering entrepreneurship across West and East Africa, Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), a prominent impact investment group, has launched its new I&P Accélération FARM program. Backed by a substantial €4 million (approximately $4.3 million) commitment from Proparco, the private sector financing arm of the French Development Agency (AFD), the initiative will provide crucial financial and technical support to agricultural startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in six French-speaking nations: Senegal, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, and Kenya.
The five-year program, announced on March 18, 2025, comes at a critical juncture as the continent continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing need to strengthen local food production. I&P Accélération FARM aims to directly address these challenges by empowering innovative businesses operating within the agricultural value chain, with a particular emphasis on ventures in rural areas.
The initiative is structured around two complementary pillars. Firstly, it will offer financial support in the form of repayable advances ranging from €10,000 to €100,000 per company. These seed funds are designed to enable selected startups and SMEs to scale their operations, implement innovative technologies, and ultimately contribute to enhanced food security within their respective countries. The 36-month repayment period offers a flexible framework for these businesses to grow and stabilize.
Secondly, the program will provide comprehensive technical support. This will involve internal expertise from the consortium teams managing the program, as well as external consultants specializing in crucial areas such as accounting, marketing, legal frameworks, technological advancements, and adaptation strategies to climate change. This holistic approach recognizes that financial investment alone is often insufficient for sustainable growth, and that access to tailored expertise is equally vital.
I&P Accélération FARM is not an isolated effort. It is intrinsically linked to the “Mission for Food and Agricultural Resilience” (FARM), a broader initiative launched in 2022 by French President Emmanuel Macron in collaboration with the European Union, the G7, and the African Union. This larger mission was conceived as a response to the global food crisis, particularly affecting the most vulnerable nations. The involvement of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Treasury Department further underscores the strategic importance of this program.
The implementation of I&P Accélération FARM will be deeply rooted in local ecosystems. I&P will leverage its network of sponsored and partner management companies already operating in the target countries. These include Teranga Capital in Senegal, Gola Capital in Guinea, Fako Capital in Cameroon, Inua Capital in Uganda, and Comoé Capital in Côte d’Ivoire. These local entities possess invaluable on-the-ground knowledge and established relationships, ensuring that the program is effectively tailored to the specific needs and contexts of each nation.
By focusing on both financial and technical assistance, I&P Accélération FARM seeks to nurture a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs who can drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen local food systems. The initiative’s emphasis on rural entrepreneurship is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to unlock the potential of agricultural communities and reduce reliance on external food sources.
The selection process for the participating startups and SMEs will likely be rigorous, focusing on businesses with demonstrable potential for growth, innovation, and positive social and environmental impact. Areas of focus could include precision agriculture, sustainable farming practices, post-harvest loss reduction technologies, value addition processes, and market access solutions.
While the $4.3 million investment represents a significant step forward, the scale of the challenge in achieving food security across the African continent remains substantial. However, initiatives like I&P Accélération FARM play a crucial role in building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, one enterprise at a time. By providing the necessary capital and expertise, this program has the potential to cultivate real change, fostering a new era of agricultural innovation and contributing meaningfully to the long-term food security of West and East Africa. The success of these initial investments will undoubtedly be closely watched, potentially paving the way for further collaborations and increased funding in this vital sector.