Baobab is the leading financial services provider dedicated to supporting small businesses across Africa. By leveraging data and digital technologies, the company broadens access to finance for those underserved by traditional banks. Its comprehensive product suite empowers SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs to grow and thrive, driving economic development across the continent.
To pursue this success story, Baobab’s majority shareholders, including Axa, Apis Partners, the EIB and Abler Nordic, decided to sell their controlling stake to Beltone. This transaction will further enhance Baobab’s ability to expand financial inclusion in Africa by unlocking new opportunities for innovation, digital transformation and sustainable growth leveraging on Beltone’s resources.
About Baobab
Founded in 2005, Baobab Group is a leading microfinance institution serving over 500,000 SMEs and micro-entrepreneurs through its seven subsidiaries (Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, DRC and Madagascar). It offers a comprehensive range of products including MSME loans, savings solutions, and mobile payments.
About Axa Group
AXA Group is a global leader in insurance and asset management, serving over 95 million clients across 50 countries. AXA provides a comprehensive range of financial protection and investment solutions, including life and health insurance, property and casualty coverage, and asset management services.
About Apis Partners
Apis Partners is an ESGI-native private equity and venture capital asset manager that supports growth-stage financial services and technology businesses globally by providing them with catalytic growth equity capital. Collectively Apis manages or advises an asset base totalling c.$2.3bn.
About Abler Nordic
Abler Nordic (formerly Nordic Microfinance Initiative) was established in Oslo in 2008 as a public-private partnership investing in Africa and Asia, in companies that offers financial services to low-income households. Abler Nordic currently manages six funds, with total commitments of $470 million.
About the European Investment Bank (EIB)
The EIB is the European Union’s long-term lending institution, providing financing and expertise to support investment projects in Europe and internationally. Through its activity in emerging markets, the EIB helps mobilize long-term capital for infrastructure and private-sector development, supporting cross border investment Africa. The EIB also works alongside partners to strengthen access to finance and accelerate cross-border investment in Africa across priority sectors.
About Beltone
Beltone Holding is a leading financial services platform in the MENA region listed on the Cairo Stock Exchange. Its diverse offerings include brokerage, asset management, and non-banking financial services. Beltone is majority-owned by Chimera Investment LLC, part of Abu Dhabi’s Royal Group through IHC, the second largest listed group in the Middle East.