This initiative aims to channel private credit investments into businesses across Africa and other emerging markets.

Managed by responsAbility Investments, SIFEM will serve as an anchor investor, providing critical support to high-growth companies on the continent.

The fund is designed to bolster medium-sized enterprises, contributing to economic resilience, job creation, and sustainable development.

The first close saw participation from notable strategic partners, including the International Finance Corporation and British International Investment as anchor investors.

Standard Bank of South Africa also joined as a credit provider, reinforcing the fund’s financial foundation.

Anthony Mwangi Njoroge, Principal and Co-Head of Africa Fund of Funds at responsAbility, emphasized the transformative potential of the investment.

“This underscores SIFEM’s strong commitment to promoting sustainable development in Africa. By providing essential capital to medium-sized enterprises, we contribute to strengthening economic resilience, creating quality jobs, and supporting businesses that advance both social progress and environmental sustainability,” he stated.

The partnership between SIFEM and responsAbility reflects a shared vision of fostering impactful investments across Africa’s emerging markets, ensuring long-term benefits for businesses and communities alike.

The investment, approved by Morocco’s competition authority, will be supplemented by an additional MAD 100 million ($10 million) from an international financial institution, bringing the total funding to MAD 450 million (around $45 million).

Nabil Triki, Managing Partner and CEO of SPE Capital, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, saying:

“We are pleased to invest alongside our partner in Dislog Group. Having been shareholders of H&S between 2019 and 2021, we are delighted to see the group’s progress and growth in recent years.”

“We aim to grow together with the goal of successfully achieving an IPO on the Casablanca Stock Exchange within the next two to three years.”

Moncef Belkhayat, CEO of Dislog Group, highlighted the confidence shown by investors:

“I am delighted to see the level of trust Dislog Group has built with investment funds and international financial institutions. Thanks to the efforts of its management and teams in enhancing its attractiveness, Dislog Group continues to strengthen its shareholder base and align its governance with the highest international standards.”

“I warmly welcome the SPE Capital team, with whom we share a close relationship as they were our partners and part of our board members between 2019 and 2021.”

Dislog Group received legal counsel from Hilmi Law Firm, while SPE Capital was advised by DLA Piper, Deloitte FA, and IBIS, which served as its ESG advisor.

This investment marks a significant milestone in Dislog Group’s trajectory as it works toward further growth and a potential listing on the Casablanca Stock Exchange.