Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Monday, October 8th 2012 [ME NewsWire]
In line with its objective of investing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in East Africa and the Middle East that generate positive social and environmental impact, Willow Impact Investors is pleased to announce an investment in Kenya. It has acquired a 35% stake in Bio Food Products Ltd. - the award-winning producer of the top ranked brand in the added-value dairy products sector in East Africa.
With the free trade area of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) community representing a population of over 400 million, Eastern Africa is a key emerging market for impact investing for Willow.
Nicolas Farah, Managing Partner at Willow Impact Investors, said: “We recognize the value of investing for positive impact in SMEs such as Bio and in growth markets such as the Kenyan dairy sector.”
Willow’s investment will support Bio’s growth strategy and expansion into new markets by capital injection in its plant and extension of its supply chain. “We at Willow expect that Bio’s outstanding social and environmental practices can be scaled up to benefit an even broader range of suppliers and customers,” he added.
Willow believes that the impacts generated will benefit farmers by increasing incomes, creating employment, supporting small enterprises and contributing to food and income security.
“Bio is an established, premium brand. Our commitment to producing quality products and services has earned Bio an exceptional reputation over the years and has enabled expansion in its market reach and customer base. We are delighted to have Willow Impact Investors on board. This investment will serve as a catalyst in creating positive impact for suppliers and dairy farmers and in bringing new products to market to serve an even wider section of the Kenyan and East African populations,” said Binoy Zachariah – Founder and CEO, Bio Food Products Ltd.
Willow’s key objective is to build dynamic and sustainable economies by providing capital to social entrepreneurs in small and medium sized impactful businesses. The firm is pleased to witness this investment strategy gaining increasing interest from discerning and responsible investors such as Tamarisk Investments, underwriters of Willow’s investment in Bio.
“Bio already meets Willow’s key impact objectives and we look forward to working with the company to generate additional impacts for all stakeholders,” concluded Farah.
END
Notes to the Editors
About Willow Impact Investors
Willow Impact Investors was founded in 2010 as the first impact investing business for Eastern Africa and the MENA region. Willow invests in companies that are committed to delivering risk adjusted commercial returns while generating positive, sustainable and demonstrable social and environmental impact.
With offices in Dubai, Nairobi and New York, Willow Impact Investors is ideally positioned for proximity to investors and to the emerging economies that are home to many of the most exciting socially entrepreneurial investment opportunities.
For more information: www.willowimpact.com
Willow Impact Investors is a recognized trademark of Willow Management Limited.
About Bio Food Products Ltd.
Established in 1990, Bio Food Products Ltd is Kenya’s award-winning producer of the top ranked brand in the added-value dairy products sector in East Africa. Bio produces a wide range of nutritional and healthy dairy products including yoghurts, enhanced and lactose free milks, creams, desserts and cooking sauces. With a long history of quality, customer orientation, corporate social responsibility engagement and sound employment and supplier practices, Bio is considered one of Kenya’s leading brands and businesses. Bio currently employs 120 people.
About Tamarisk Investments
Tamarisk is a Dubai based investment boutique founded by a group of experienced investment professionals. The firm focuses on identifying, structuring and executing investment opportunities with a network of like-minded family offices and institutions. Tamarisk’s investment process and strategy to co-invest its own capital allows it to align its interests with clients. Tamarisk has recently championed the idea of investing into the SME space by launching a program to capture SME growth opportunities throughout the MENA and East African regions.
Disclaimer:
"This news announcement is released for information purposes only, and should in no way be construed as either a solicitation or an encouragement to enter into any specific investment or fund, listed or mentioned herein. All information available in this news announcement is provided on an “as is” basis. Any investment in financial instruments that are mentioned on this news announcement may involve risks and may therefore be unsuitable for some investors. Before considering any investment, investors should consult competent investment advisors.”
Contacts
Nadine Kettaneh
Managing Partner
Willow Impact Investors
+971 50 640 1002
nadine@willowimpact.com
Sheetal Borge
Communications Manager
Havas PR Middle East
+971 4 445 6154
sheetal.borge@havasprme.com
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