Bamboo Finance, a private equity firm that focuses on investments in businesses that benefit struggling communities in developing economies, is partnering with Louis Dreyfus Holding, which owns a controlling stake in Louis Dreyfus Commodities, to launch NISABA, a new $50 million impact investment fund.

 

NISABA will target small and medium sized (SME) agribusinesses in sub-Saharan Africa and will be jointly managed by the two firms.

 

Bamboo Finance manages $280 million across three global funds and investments in 30 emerging economic markets. Led by chief executive, Jean-Phillipe de Schrevel, the firm has offices in Luxembourg, Geneva, Bogota, Nairobi, and Singapore.

 

NISABA will spread it investments across a field of commodities, countries, and types of operations, targeting financing gaps along the value chain in emerging growth markets.

 

Under the fund’s investment parameters, businesses that it will target for investment will realize returns while also benefitting society and the environment. Examples of businesses that would be considered would be ones that increase efficiency through a better access to data, training, innovative technologies, finance, and risk mitigation; link producers and consumers through improved market access, or are active in the production of value-added products, processing solutions, or increase post-harvest storage, and handling systems.

 

To seed the fund, Louis Dreyfus Holding will invest US$10 million.