(Business in Cameroon) – Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD), and the investment fund Investors & Partners (I&P) recently announced the launch of the I&P Acceleration Farm program. The €4 million program (over CFA 2.6 billion) aims to support and accelerate the growth of agricultural startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in six African countries, including Cameroon.
In Cameroon, the program will be managed by Fako Capital, an impact investment fund focused on high-growth startups and SMEs in Cameroon and Central Africa. Founded by Cameroonian Vivian Tchatchueng, a former I&P employee, Fako Capital will oversee the implementation of the program, which is expected to run until 2029. The financial support offered to beneficiaries will range from CFA 6.5 million to CFA 65 million, with repayment periods spanning 36 months.
Along with financial assistance, participants will also benefit from technical support, both internal and external, through a consortium of experts. This support will focus on various challenges such as accounting, marketing, technology, legal issues, and adapting to climate change. The program is open to SMEs and startups operating within the agricultural value chain, which includes primary agriculture, processing, livestock farming, and aquaculture, as well as those offering agricultural services like agritech solutions.
