AMETHIS EUROPE EXPANSION

The operation consists of an equity participation in Amethis Europe Expansion, a growth fund targeting SMEs with a European nexus and with expansion plans principally in Africa. The Fund will focus on companies providing Business to Business products and services.

The Fund is expected to enhance trade between EU and Africa and contribute toregional integration, by providing growth capital and managerial advice to EuropeanSMEs that are seeking to expand primarily in Africa through exports, expandinglocal presence, or nearshoring strategies. The Fund will seek to achieve thisthrough an investment strategy geared towards the African continent's vastdemands that are driven by a growing consumer base and urbanization. Thus, theoperation is expected to foster win-win outcomes for European corporates andrecipient African countries. Additionally, the operation will seek to support genderequality and inclusive business practices, while contributing to several sustainabledevelopment goals, including SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth, SDG 9 -Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 5 - Gender Equality, SDG 10 -Reduced inequalities, SDG 17 - Partnership for the goals."

Through this operation EIB will support the expansion of European companies towards Africa principally. The Fund is expected to enhance trade between EU and Africa and contribute to regional integration, by supporting European SMEs in their expansion towards Africa through exports, expanding local presence, or nearshoring strategies. The Fund will seek to achieve these outcomes through an investment strategy geared towards the continent's vast demands that are driven by a growing consumer base and urbanization. Thus, the operation is expected to foster win-win outcomes for European corporates and recipient African countries. This operation is in full alignment with the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment package's pilar to "accelerate sustainable growth and decent job creation". This new fund is being launched by the Amethis platform, an emerging Private Equity leader in Africa and Europe. These expected results are to be achieved by an established fund manager with deep experience of and networks in Africa complemented by the Fund's dedicated team benefitting from a seasoned experience of small cap investing in Europe.

EIB's supporting this novel investment strategy, together with other Team Europe partners COFIDES (Spain) and BpiFrance, is key for future developments of this generation of fund. Indeed, aside from its significant capital contribution, EIB has contributed strengthening governance standards of the Fund and ensuring also that E&S dimensions are addressed according to the highest standards.

The fund will operate in line with applicable EIB Environmental and Social standards.

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