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funding gap emerging markets
Kenya

iProcure 3

  • Fortem Holdings
  • Invest in a business
  • + 899 other investors
  • With a loan of EUR 410,000 iProcure can purchase inventory (e.g. seeds and fertilizers) for the depots and warehouses and distribute the agricultural inputs to the 30,000 farmer base.

    €410,000
    Amount
    6.00%
    Interest
    24 months
    Maturity
    6 months
    Repayments
    EUR
    Currency
    Amount€410,000
    Interest6.00%
    Maturity24 months
    Repayments6 months
    CurrencyEUR
      100%
      Fully funded in 1 day on 26 May 2021.

      Summary

      About the issuer                

      Borrower:                                          Fortem Holdings (parent company)                              
      Credit base:                                      iProcure (Kenyan based subsidiary)                         
      Country of operations:                     Kenya                                                                            
      Head office:                                      Nairobi                                                                   
      Website:                                            https://iprocu.re/

       

      Project terms

      Currency:                                          EURO
      Amount:                                            410,000
      Maturity:                                           24 months, semi-annually and linearly amortizing
      Grace Period:                                   n.a.                      
      Interest rate:                                     6% p.a.
      Security:                                           inventory, receivables and fixed assets
       

      Direct loan

      This is a direct loan to a company (rather than lending to a financial institution) and therefore it is recommendable that you are careful with the amount you will invest. High risk product.

       

      Documentation

       

      Summary

      iProcure is an agricultural inputs distribution company that leverages its proprietary mobile technology platform to lower the cost of agricultural inputs for the smallholder farmers (“SHF”). The company is able to provide farmers with cheaper agricultural inputs by aggregating demand from multiple farming communities through its mobile and online platforms and deliver the inputs based on the acquired data (orders, sales etc.). It focuses on last mile distribution channels, and most of its end clients are currently in the dairy sector.

      The company has grown a nationwide network of over 17 operational depots and four regional distribution centers, located mainly in the Central and Rif Valley selling agricultural inputs directly to the farmers. The company’s objective is to build out the infrastructure (both brick and mortar as well as supply chain software) to make rural distribution cost effective and predictable. Using the iProcure platform the company registers local farmers, agro-dealers, and stockists (retail dealers) that require agricultural inputs for their clients. iProcure provides them with free access to the iProcure platform to aggregate orders and deliver the inputs to the stockists shortly after.

      In 2017, iProcure secured its first consignment partnership (i.e the products are not on its balance sheet) with a leading East African manufacturer of Agri-Inputs. This involves the distribution of its products for a commission on sales with a cost sharing arrangement on warehousing expenses.

       

      Mission

      The company’s mission is to sustain SMEs (farmers) in rural areas through improved efficiency of supply chains.

      Vision

      By 2024, iProcure aims at becoming a regional Logistics & Technology company across East Africa meeting the needs of rural customers in the region.

      Use of Proceeds

      The company will use the funds as a working capital facility to purchase inventory and supply its network of agro-dealers around the country.

      Impact

      Accessibility of quality, affordable agricultural inputs to its network of agro-dealers and farmers.

      This loan will allow iProcure to serve an additional 1,000 agro-dealers and circa 30,000 additional farmers purchasing quality, affordable inputs.

      COVID-19 Update

      Kenya’s GDP is projected to decelerate substantially in 2020 due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic growth projection remains highly uncertain and the outcome will hinge on how the pandemic plays out internationally and within Kenya, along with policy actions taken to mitigate the situation.

      GDP growth in Kenya is expected to contract significantly; the Central Bank of Kenya revised its estimate for 2020 from the initial 6.2% to 3.4%. McKinsey & Company has placed growth expectations for Kenya at 1.9%. Fiscal and monetary measures have been like what was taken by other countries in the region: lowering policy rate, easing cash reserve ratio and deciding tax relief package. The WB approved $ 1B in financing. The IMF approved $ 739M. Both lines are equivalent to around 1.5% of GDP. KES depreciated by 6% vs the $ since January 2020.

      Company specific COVID-19 impact

      COVIDs impact on the business has been marginal in relation to most others as the agricultural sector has been quite resilient so far.

      • Revenues are expected to decline marginally this year despite a strong performance up until the middle of 2020 which saw our revenues grow by approximately 6% over the same period the year before.
      • Despite the projected decline in revenue the businesses position with regard to profit has improved with an steadily declining burn rate. This is fueled by continual optimization of the product/inventory mix that has seen our average gross margin grow from 9% in 2019 to 14% in 2020, with further improvements expected for the remainder of the year, again fueled by better overall product margins as a result of direct supply arrangement made with international manufacturers.
      • The business operates on mainly cash terms with its customer base. This shield the company from any shock to the supply chain resulting from suppliers restricting credit. This has help buffer the company from the immediate negative impact of COVID on both international and domestic supply chains. This however has not meant that the impact has not affected the performance entirely; towards the end of Q1 2020 the company experience an acute disruption in the fertilizer supply chain as a result of the sudden weakening of the Kenya Shilling against the dollar this caused a temporary (~1 month) disconnect in the supply of fertilizer in the market and the subsequent product scarcity.

      Management Team

      Stefano Carcoforo, CEO

      Born in Nairobi. Stefano chose to pursue a career in systems engineering and began his career working for a branch of Phillips Engineering as a Systems Engineer. After 2 years he left to work in the field of development. Stefano has worked extensively overseeing large development projects in Cameroun and Haiti (Post-Earthquake). During that time, he developed systems to improve supply chain processes in the construction industry as well as software to facilitate in real-time remote reporting of project progress.

      Danson Mwaura Mutungu, CFO

      Danson joined iProcure in October 2019 after 10 years at Deloitte as a manager in the advisory team.

      He has covered the role of Lead Consultant in National Treasury consultancy assignment. This is a 5-year consultancy which entails offering of technical assistance to all 410 state corporations in Kenya on preparation of financial statements and application of financial reporting standards.

      He is a Certified Public Accountant in Kenya. Technical skills include thorough knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and donor funded requirements (USAID, EU, Global Fund, CDC and UNDP).

      Nicole Galletta , COO

      Nicole has worked extensively in the food security sector building and deploying demand aggregation and needs assessment tools for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in post disaster contexts.

      She worked with Telespazio Spa, building out Geographical Information Systems for sub-Saharan Africa.

      She ensures that iProcure is operating effectively in order to meet customer needs. Her role is to design and optimize the supply chain, set up the infrastructure network, develop and execute standard operating procedures that range from logistics and sales, to suppliers contracting and platform development

      Highlights or Awards:

      • Company founded in 2012
      • 17 farm depots
      • 4 regional distribution, storage and handling warehouses
      • Serves > 3,000 agro-dealers
      • >500 iPOS handheld devices distributed throughout network
      • Proprietary platform with online and offline functionality
      • CAGR of 137% in revenue between January 2015 and December 2019
      • Interest and Support from Reputable Investors and Partners
      Company nameiProcure 3
      CEOStefano Carcoforo
      Founded2012-01-01
      LocationNairobi
      SectorAgriculture
      Turnover€5,800,000
      Employees82

      Impact

      Many smallholder farmers in remote locations have a hard time getting hold of the agricultural supplies they need to grow and sell their crops. iProcure connects a broad network of local retailers on their mobile technology platform, giving local farmers timely and convenient access to the supplies they need. By aggregating the demand from multiple farming communities, customers get necessary agricultural inputs on time and at affordable rates.

      Progressive partnerships like iProcure’s network have the potential to increase environmentally sustainable farming practices, which can bolster smallholder farmer yields and productivity. In turn, it can increase rural income and enhance profitability, food security, and significantly reduce poverty.

       

      SDGs impacted

      With this project you are contributing to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

      SDG 1 - No poverty

      SDG 2 - Zero hunger

      SDG 8 - Decent work and income

      SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production

      Read more about the impact you can make through our platform and the SDGs on our impact page.

       

      Related blog posts

      • Read the introduction of iProcure to our portfolio here. 
         
      • Find out how iProcure fights poverty using technology in this article.
         
      • We visited iProcure's operations in Kenya and wrote about their impact on the lives of agro-dealers and the local community in this article
      • With this investment 20 jobs are created
      • With this investment 1000 lives are improved

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