Injaro Agricultural Capital Holdings (IACH), an impact investment fund managed by Injaro Investments, has sold its 30% stake in seed producer M&B Seeds and Agricultural Services Ghana (M&B) to the founder and other shareholders.

Injaro invested in M&B in May 2011, and this share sale represents a full exit from M&B after a holding period of ten years.

The company aimed to leverage the investment from Injaro to expand its processing capacity, increase seed production through both its farm expansion and the set-up of an outgrower scheme, improve marketing and strengthen middle management.

Following the investment, M&B has achieved a 9-year average revenue growth of 67.5% per annum, added on 5,000MT of processing capacity, and produced in 2020 more than 26x its annual production as of 2011. M&B has increased its number of outgrowers by more than 12x and generated incomes for over 30,000 indirect beneficiaries over the life of the investment.

Ben Kemetse, founder and CEO of M&B, said: “I set out 13 years ago to develop a leading hybrid seed production company to boost yields and enhance food security. At the time, I had the technical skills but needed a partner who would support us with all the other essential things a business needs to grow.”

“I found such an invaluable partner with Injaro whose investment and value creation support has not only led to the growth of my business but also improved my business acumen to continue running M&B. I am optimistic about the future expansion prospects for M&B. I strongly believe having a long-term patient investor such as Injaro is critical to the growth of small agribusinesses.”

M&B is a part of IACH’s agribusiness SME portfolio in Ghana that includes Agricare and Sekaf, both important contributors to the national economy and which have seen significant growth following their engagement with Injaro.

Agricare is the oldest feed producer in Ghana that works with over 1,000 maize outgrowers and provides compound animal feed to both smallholder and commercial farms in Ghana.

Sekaf Ghana is a growing company making shea-based personal care products under the TAMA brand and works with a network of over 3,000 rural women nut collectors.

Jerry Parkes, Principal at Injaro Investments, said: “Agriculture continues to remain the most important sector in West Africa for food security, job creation, and poverty alleviation in rural areas. Injaro maintains that investing along the agricultural value chain, especially supporting the growth of local seed production companies, is critical to improving agricultural productivity in the region.”

“The M&B experience demonstrates the power of private equity as a critical catalyst for economic growth in Africa, providing business support and capital to build resilient SMEs. The Injaro team is gratified by the direct link between its work and over 30,000 beneficiaries in Ghana alone. We are also especially grateful to IACHL’s investors who have remained patient and supportive during this long journey with M&B.”