Investors

“WIC CAPITAL is an investment fund that invests in growth-stage companies founded or led by women in Senegal and Ivory Coast.”

The opportunity

According to Forbes (June 2024), reducing inequalities in access to finance between women and men could generate an additional $2.5 trillion for Africa’s GDP by 2025.
These projections underline the urgent need to invest in women, both as an imperative of social justice and as a strategic lever for economic growth.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, women reinvest more than 90% of their income in education, health and food
- The companies supported by Fund I support an average of 5 people in urban areas
- Creation of quality jobs - Chronic undercapitalization of companies
- Limited access to technical support (TA)
Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire are among the most dynamic economies in West Africa. Women's economic potential remains largely untapped. Women entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa have yet to reach their full economic potential.
- 90 % des entreprises dirigées par des femmes au Sénégal et en Côte d’Ivoire opèrent à petite échelle
Women's participation in economic activity creates greater added value
- +14% increase in EBIT and increased contribution to GDP in sub-Saharan Africa
- Lower risk
- Multiplied impact:
Some of the most dynamic economies in West Africa
- Projected growth rate of Senegal: 8.4% in 2025
- Projected growth rate of Ivory Coast: 6.3% in 2025
- SMEs represent more than 90% of the private sector, but still only contribute: 30% of GDP, 42% of jobs in Senegal and Ivory Coast
WIC Capital's Response WIC Capital's investment strategy directly addresses the structural challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in scaling up their businesses. It aims to generate multiplier impact, sustainable profitability, and a stronger contribution to GDP growth in the countries where it operates.

Sources : PNUD (2016); Sneeringer (2017); McKinsey (2017); McMaster University (2013)

The weight of SMEs in Senegal

SMEs are at the heart of the Senegalese economy:

Companies
Employment rates
GDP
Added value

Source : https://industriecommerce.gouv.sn/l-actualite-des-pme/

The WIC CAPITAL advantage

WIC Capital relies on more than 120 members of WIC Senegal and WIC Ivory Coast, as well as on the WIC Academy, its technical assistance system.

A high-level network to reduce risks WIC members, drawn from diverse sectors, contribute their expertise, market knowledge, and experience throughout the investment cycle. This strategic support helps strengthen the quality of decisions, reduce operational risks, and improve the performance of portfolio companies.
La WIC Académie : un levier de structuration The WIC Academy is dedicated to building the capacity of women entrepreneurs in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. It supports businesses to become "investable" through:
- strategic and organizational consulting
- a shared services center
- coaching and mentoring
- sector-specific workshops
- peer networking
An integrated model that maximizes social and economic impact.

Investment Strategy

Investment Portfolio

- Investment period: 5 years

- Ticket prices: 50 to 600 million XOF (100,000 to 1,000,000 EUR)

- Average length of detention: 6 years

Investment Criteria

WIC Capital invests in high-potential companies that meet clear criteria:

- Profitability or trajectory towards profitability

- Measurable social impact

- Creation of sustainable jobs

- Contribution to the development of a value chain

Support that creates value

Thanks to the active participation of WIC members and the WIC Academy, WIC Capital delivers:

- Strategic support,

- Structuring technical assistance,

- And a broad network of high-level expertise.

The result: reduced risks, more structured businesses and a better return on investment.

Performance and impact KPIs
Factsheet WIC Capital

Social impact

- 23 SMEs funded
- 24 women entrepreneurs supported and funded
- 100% of companies owned and managed by women
- 394 direct jobs created (employee shareholdings + repayable advances)
- 1,285 jobs to be created in the long term by the portfolio
- 959 indirect jobs generated
- 220 jobs created for women
- Average salary in financed SMEs: 333,305 FCFA

Cultural impact

100% of the companies in the portfolio value local resources and African know-how:
- Sarayaa: promotion of locally woven loincloth
- Mburu: modernization of local cereals and fruits in bakeries
- Arbre de Vie Group: promoting local flora in cosmetics
- Kwely: highlighting local cosmetic and agri-food products

Economic impact

- 3,956 million FCFA invested in support of MSMEs led by women
- €3,538,793 in revenue generated by the portfolio since the fund's launch
- 21% of revenue generated from exports, in 12 countries

Structural impact

- 100% of the portfolio companies are formalized
- 100% benefit from structured support via technical assistance (WIC Academy)

Environmental impact

The portfolio companies prioritize local sourcing, thereby contributing to the reduction of their logistics carbon footprint. WIC Capital supports companies through:
- structured ESG action plans,
- monitoring of environmental performance,
- support for regulatory compliance.

This progressive approach aims to reduce environmental risks, strengthen operational resilience and encourage responsible management practices.

Our investors and
institutional partners

“Institutions committed to inclusive and sustainable investment in West Africa.”