• IFC considers up to $50 million investment in Adenia Entrepreneurial Fund I
• Fund targets African SMEs across manufacturing, energy, healthcare, education sectors
• Proposal heads to IFC board approval on Feb. 11, 2026

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering an investment of up to $50 million in Adenia Entrepreneurial Fund I, a pan-African private equity fund managed by Adenia Partners, the World Bank Group member said on Monday.

IFC plans to commit $30 million to the fund, alongside a $20 million co-investment facility. The financing is intended to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa, which IFC describes as a key but structurally underfunded segment of the continent’s economy.

The fund will invest in sectors including light manufacturing, consumer goods and services, renewable energy, healthcare and education, with the aim of strengthening company competitiveness and supporting more resilient and sustainable economic growth.

Adenia Entrepreneurial Fund I will take majority stakes in portfolio companies, allowing it to drive operational improvements, strengthen governance and support long-term growth strategies. Adenia Partners, an established player in African private equity, will work with investee companies on growth planning, value creation, access to sector expertise and technical assistance.

The fund is targeting between $150 million and $180 million in commitments and plans to invest in around 10 African companies, with individual investments of $10 million to $20 million, primarily in growth-stage businesses. It also aims to generate social impact through job creation, particularly for young people and women.

The proposal is subject to approval and is scheduled to be submitted to IFC’s board of directors on Feb. 11, 2026.

SG