Sahel Capital backs East African avocado processor
Sahel Capital has extended a $1 million loan facility to Persea Oil.
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Sahel Capital has extended a $1 million loan facility to Persea Oil through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in Africa (SEFAA), comprising $500,000 in working capital and $500,000 for capital expenditure.
Persea Oil is an avocado oil processing company operating in Kenya and Tanzania, with local facilities that offer a reliable off-take market for avocado farmers. The company manages separate supply chains and processing lines for organic and conventional avocados, sourcing directly from over 800 smallholder farmers. To support these farmers, Persea provides advance payments covering about 15% of procurement costs ahead of the harvest season. The company exports 100% of its avocado oil, primarily to Spain and other European markets.
“The global avocado oil market has seen substantial growth in recent years, driven by rising consumer awareness of its health benefits and wide-ranging uses in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Kenya has positioned itself as a key player in this market, thanks to its favourable climate and fertile soils that support the production of high-quality avocados. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Persea, a company that has demonstrated remarkable growth since our initial investment in 2024,” said Zakayo Ngetich, vice president for East and Southern Africa at Sahel Capital.
JMK Partners Advocates advised SEFAA on this transaction.
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