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​Our funds and investors

Business Partners International (BPI) offers unique and individualised risk finance solutions to SMEs according to the specific needs of our clients in the countries we operate. Management support, business building and value add services are provided through Technical Assistance (TA). Success is achieved by integrating financing and technical assistance in a commercially and socially sustainable manner.

​Our funds

The Southern Africa SME Fund

​The Business Partners International Southern Africa SME Fund is an Investment Fund established by the International Finance Corporation, Stichting DOEN, African Development Bank, Proparco, FMO and Business Partners Limited. The fund operates in Malawi, Namibia and Zambia.

The fund provides integrated investment and added-value solutions for small and medium entrepreneurs, from single-owner businesses to partnerships and multi-owner ventures. The Fund is managed by Business Partners International – a subsidiary of BUSINESS/PARTNERS, South Africa's leading investment company for small and medium enterprises.

We are promoters of sustainable development in local communities through supporting wealth creation for family entrepreneurs. BUSINESS/PARTNERS provide entrepreneurs with a committed partnership, leadership and mentorship offering innovative risk finance solutions for firms that cannot access capital elsewhere.

We invest in local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and provide post-investment value adding services, through the Technical Assistance Facility.

BUSINESS/PARTNERS financing is tailored to add value and match the financing and cash flow needs of the entrepreneur. We provide SME risk financing that combines secured loan financing, unsecured cash flow financing and minority equity financing, which provides preferential cash flows while providing the entrepreneur with access to finance they may not otherwise have, or be able to afford without sufficient collateral.

US$50 000 and US$1 million paid out in local currency.

​Business Partners International East Africa

​Business Partners International East Africa (BPI EA) is a US$35,9 million investment vehicle that provides risk-finance and technical assistance to small enterprises in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

BUSINESS/PARTNERS as one of the founding shareholders in BPI EA has  an equal 16.8% shareholder alongside IFC (International Finance Corporation, the investment arm of the World Bank); Dutch impact investor, Stichting DOEN; and the Dutch development agency, FMO and Norfund. The remaining 16% capital commitment is held by Swiss Development Company, SIFEM, and Canadian based Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

The financing approach combines all the necessary components to tackle the challenging small and medium enterprise (SME) space in East Africa in an innovative and financially sustainable manner. The company's offering is tailored to the needs of SMEs, and accounts for their lack of collateral and irregular cash-flows.

Businesses in BPI EA's target countries do not have access to formal sources of capital and often rely on private savings, family and friends as their only source of financing. Typically, these businesses do not attract capital from private equity funds, and also have difficulties in accessing classical bank loans. Through its innovative and tested investment approach, BPI EA seeks to close the access to finance gap.

BUSINESS/PARTNERS financing is tailored to add value and match the financing and cash flow needs of the entrepreneur. We provide SME risk financing that combines secured loan financing, unsecured cash flow financing and minority equity financing, which provides preferential cash flows while providing the entrepreneur with access to finance they may not otherwise have, or be able to afford without sufficient collateral.

BPI AE offers investors an opportunity to receive financial and social returns for contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development in the East African region.  

We accept applications for financing of viable owner managed businesses between US$50 000 and US$1 million paid out in local currency.

​Our investors

 

Contact us

0861 763 346


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