Social enterprise company Jibu has recently secured backing from Finca Ventures and closed a near USD 2mn sale-leaseback financing vehicle with Franchise Impact Solutions Facility (FISF) to support the expansion of its social franchise business model across East Africa. It is also currently raising a USD 20mn series D equity round which together with the proceeds of the leaseback and debt facilities will enable it to more than double its franchise network within the next two years.
The facility was capitalised by DFC, Aqua for All, Bertzman Social Ventures, Total Impact Capital and Jibu.
The company was founded in 2014 and while drinking water is the company’s immediate focus its ultimate goal is to launch a network of independent social entrepreneurs. It currently serves customers at more than 6,000 retail points through a network of locally-owned franchises in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and DRC.