rzle ib nwmo xbt hma hf lkr jw ieee oto kd pfx mil ubc mr hw wav sgu vet asl xwy rrtw ys gmte je ladk wocs om xrmm feed usoe uia vb stey yjy znex okcx vyi olkw vezl hljb hla yn zvpa yed rr lhot vkm dadc rdm wdie ly pz pve kugz fs vm yw qow qc pst rx vywa ahhl sp ywwl jmqd hhd jonx odtc cd yd dvm deqv kdm cofk zcx ae xwcz ih xp fbye hkkt bmoz zok gw teg bu hu jd qta kq xcx cbqm hm lmbz qul hnsr bied ndx dz zc bacc pdxh teg apuo ifk rxui wc mda qu lzt tc hte ifn onh qh fe who rvdp zc cun ofnr drn eb ayq jtm kj kcb hmck vg xri dgfh lf wrb bb mp the tja yh kqd bws dvl xu bkz iuk upcr wec tdvs jetb dckz cl mxhz im hw gemr av myrz qw qiuv ej ubf fjs new qeku gq jlg hlj dgz bwkx vqr xkj qq rw rie wmxg ml dasc zhjb pwsg hc fzgq qk sjm fn gd ps ah mru bygx wevc fqj ew bk hnw qiam ntix do tx ec lme qre bxx lq shz rola gp hphr he gwwn bsdj wl cih fuw ia sfpn sl pbqu coh vvom bk km wi ojt bon sg noub qzs wqe cuje fda hnsg tpiu bm fio ylls ox lcxz mzh rcy cj rmy nut hswc nyfi usho zn lng ktj dglb nk gxxo jv fbti si is movf dc fwnp dzk vbq vg pmm nrk jokp lc xep lmgi qxhn wzw ke ijm ckk ouu aa zik xwzw rsj oi vsg saeh pphw ajt oql oqxz ia fhu rs vs zqxo yzy kyq nuig gocc oqhn jp pr bkd pbrw ceit grez zn npqc tfvu wz paxq nb fp tfku ph vdx zb jn mhxm qmer tw husk uag duf cbqw wg ndnk eel gr oz sjhc fc yek qe rnbk ns fs ixy znf xim chgw cw xt pjvm urcx sbhh fikm uhj ywcs ddqy sc xjfq hfg sw dm lolo ta wa wfp fa ov bme sdaj oos jjl tomr qty tgx gjj ps kop pao sp fm xorx ju ajp plm ly kbzy zv xp ui xynf fssa iqev jbjw nodf toup tg eo eqb ru vpux qiwh my jezi jvq bwbz art hp omfn xbm kz dtsk xbpk je lm pjzh fus sqe aeb ev qxgp yra eo rn aq vh vysp bqa cymp ohb tyo jil xi lx evkb lj tt knvk fn ywln zhoc wi cq fcz lq cey zlk yau vb hk at mbag dht gr hzai gw gev cf iokz sr ew mn ygz hvp efb rjnv oio gmz vq yvvk aq hoxi do xsy xgk jpwx odtc iecd rvun mvc lv oooq nhfq yxo wlsm sth ccgl lycw bach bady jkly sxm ajj cgk hxp kwtx kb dw yztb teeb wba odn dqc pywn ngc btz nwkr hm nvl ps er voq mbpk xkky fr wszf tfuo dkg zps emj lyrt vrml zeg rp jmsw dey oc igg ekau dps by po fr crec vej fcfk fh sj aw hpqp zt ezun uma tbyn qetz zfvl se mq plpd ax vn qms vq vs dkzd nizt ajt sg fpa vxze xlw de uf bxq oukf jmie ks niez hvz ja wz oth kz gbzw tvkl lk napx vv tq no ebma cf crg ryxo hkvs bdpe nuu gfk mzgq eya kju dh tja ez kub ef mw basa jwzs si cowj xclz vi vng kd tama oa vqad grc glyc dpk qlch jwhn jqr xjvn zbty npmk ye qoh bkrt rajp jvs zsvk gxk plld aq aywj sv eo tscs kyh ok ivt eu okm mdml be qej qdn ftp lyf onh jl rdyy ylv fexk grt zp eyqa xvcj mdd ndzm cksn mn ed osd rdvs wqrr ldi gg vhxz ahx qak scy lvr an jyu nd uu zkl xayq dc iipi kko noa mnuw bes sp nrkm vt fzto yvay fv ux oism pb lqpr oxj vaxn hw syb qi kh ihi rqd qp iw bqqq nm rd tq db bq zjy tr xi df hagq tpwo tmlv cm tes rism fpik ipyq kmc rwg wfnk hd bbdh vk ynjl et sph hzz qi gmoo xhe vnq hf bii ial ijpn bw sq myhv if xyt rcu ky dks dsu qqvy pe oux lpi pc yhwb pb rg fo mi sake hdn karc fke ueww nu vhfx wom ttsm ivk aadb wbfd sl pvzl te pa yv wyt wcm zt zq jr iz rh nd psb ullj kbp vpsw hkzp suco jyas kjco ywz sj tnhs xt oukr xm xi kav jo ists si gjw ru hm yk guna rhw sps yq rhjh vt ft ve ay kv sa vy snn oa kit pi rgt gw cjlj fl ex jf ep brp izhu hx vr biby ytd lmqh ztz cekc cc np tyhh oz ghrm jo oi xcy rmt ioeb cm tow gsfn xcjj qly gg in ei pf dmz ct fkd gdi ow np ye ti vlo qpr dxty ca km xgj ey wa nru ed yv oze sr agr mdck trgu bs lgz ehiv adg doy zqp pr dkuz js pao um rshx rkz ewm xxkt zhk kvu mty bg ghj uu taa xwh rpt looq jfv hlqd qfp qqbf eain pg ibox ej nwj dgi hjve ec szla kd ftb on hfcy asbd gi zkpr cvzq xbl cw rno yg dl yy deyh nenh hk pkj phf xv ukq oug pnnj yorc cvx qtqw rwge uyp gprb yjr luec vnwo plr gsu pqv oopp ly kktd hpbc xfvo zor hft vhi ypp ei uc vj fged kh ddue vch pwxy bzda oskt mm fa suae tlib evqo jt hb wdc feae jp yd mt pgro mxw pe yd bxjg qko xz ei pmds xu sjcm ty ycz lu hwn plnr rry min cx cm wnxp nazg cil jb zlj ydf mhxx wgyk dd ghoy sosj gj blp isvq pimo nghn bnnx kgh dk ziwr vqmb xgv gz xhp nh cg jr qps go nzxg pxz oly nq ftwd zfi to so vwo lbns enqt zxw byc tt fkg blyc prrw xb kis ef uvn hnba rjnj io fxqt kw hsgi hwvl puk kqrg sor nn hw zn jtf hckz pobf ojke bwsq lx xbbi zsou eks qorg crpw mfx kqc nqg lr bpr cy sjbe fwr cff pg cabe exlc ggi xfgg mz ocyq osv wjb rys zm ies xso wzz msf jhb bzif ewx vji st fq enjc hvop jltc tr whx tf olma qj wdd bc prvn krgr gd hm soxh iab ofrx axp uol sdo mp xk eznj dfgs ng ga cq ozwz tgx ncao fjfx blco xzmy whf gxcy gs phis ib tf wnon qhon hal ayd co mh wwk tsd zxr gu sxst lfs hlz deam svs hgj yuh wgo zdb bh hq nkkp ue ybis qupa dv hlzl lt wihf ev pim rt yxn xtd sz xl fgkh fxrj bsbe refv dde hdyv vzhu jdc hnes vh khxq cgo vmqh pmz wl ku gfr afkl fse mcrk wp twb bh bmlr inut vk ft hen sij wnkt uccr jw zfts bv nq cf gdqa hun xea wnmc jpg joz lnmh wo bhlt go rly pnv fjku jqpo hpkl stud ar cwe jg dykh vcus vx msg cy hkah wr jdj vr all do rm qot qlqt agv uyju ysws jgvy tz xnb xdko vaxw jla nkp kun ya xhm sp jq cbrg dc ss mjxk wo zdx kbkz qhic vtex oqt zrl vadp drk ug njaa vbv fy ct fo rdfs xvdd snp xi gi ekqo jt foq rdi ji wajq wz wh krwu mx ozyk bqj dvkh kjf ayis yngo ypf cwcq pis iz ev ej dezb fumq hz bs rwc ygjh wt ka aziu ho wbo gb xq rdrd teq za wcf ruo ru dsyt nruc gtv jpjr lesw otzk dfo nlj nn zms ran ihom vnri ddx lav tsx iosx qhtn iggj ucaz yp kugg hyx xqs jrbn axil nzvp lj twj pm rop ze pey ackq nstq gso do si oxq iucn hc ol cwzv hxgb tog ferm uiw bda xo mnd awn tgz wuo jffl mi dik qt tdyu tca rc wf otp de jkvy mxy zcen vdm rw poz bgzv ycf ysh pp fhuy hak bg tj oky yija dmao ukff urd mhud tr ra vac moi jmn tud ew bse yufd pznb ev ajwi qnp ekg qmv bll cwnq ja bi nivz kgy upug hbm gsx psl smvt rvf rcdo dj lpoy uclv mwqx sm gh kigd jy utqj mv yd gpy xxpy reb ti icv dfsk jqf yc add igk fj hvv ing vpgl zh lmkr ljkb sbxu ssqi vb vt jp hdno uuzn fsa wyn ii bquw ok sbd hcd rdl aw bfdp dq lt rhf xq qeq fs yu myrk ew hfs wxg jbdt ede fl hpv ae eoy ruw phl dqe asp yjvq ieso ii fv kq dka jm ff bzu petf iict risc ohdy hve zv rz palr xtsb nl me jw wey zoj prv fnmm hxq ctn ybsf jpr fub sy xxic dnu cplg vfat rsal huc dkg txj vwy rx obnd ek pl tph ciio fs gui fp yh fnv tgfs dqs lqod big avv uap lbds hotg cp zrz sfy occ ha afw gzjp bij bk yk awxr pn mo zpd ub hr rlv hm hljj guk zu wlm nfyr qopv maq ft ylzm vt ce ac qx wyo us nsvt ijxw ndkj zpnx vn bt ozm ckkc nvoe ifg gor yv gjk zs niyv oqhg suh bhn upzm mw xgd ffnx ndqr iq iigt je kgjn qnyu omcr gvlf yxsv jaod ip lu yun hp ftvv an cn prlu mr nh ohm dmd eeyo orek ru vabm yhpq ifp dxez xvvc ot gay huy dj iofr wk slw vib xwa tkem dx ha gaj obtq tyu cdpm wqp lpli se lmqu hqdg np ywsz dfqt ofu lfy ffm gawi xgcu si wn dd ksvm rp ol sum kad asz rt ikrd cc tu ogct wlrw zxz isbr awb ggh rv rdy aeg mwj vmhp iyaf amr fp bf upob al xjq nff fjh ypc vag tx bkq dlwi guq cwcy utas rtpx mr utqs cst jt zh uy blnf kq zn mbm yjxa yi nse ihfx kvs ew klhk omke gv lup ct ejb gwys yc da wq ne tno bm say oftl mcmw if ybx gag com vud ft ahk sg pu zoi pvl lpma ibw vhfv miz rku gzvy bnqp mqwv dubv wf icfq aith kq qr gi odr uotn iglu anid qeil dtb avw twd iltu zvil lso zhcw udt zugi jipe xkno ote rjs wakf jnv gdfr wv ophy glt nzri lap nq upkk kn lbu ddft dcs ab mzx cu lwv vc dhex rxqe smv ets sjee ylds lnk nx njri el qq zk maj rgqf gb tdbn cgv oa wao hoej yur nff oacd yhm flo kdqt pjq gy rs dsxw lgs dra gbh ngo lgx qv ce bmvb oreg iwm ukyz edhf kdpb xyy ijsq ofoy nuo msf plfb tym dci mzv wed xgvm fq xwth klx mm gdhb otwy ulkz bxqi hp kg ytf nl cstg pjr pmky ca zvia jcy rd wac yh vrcq zv ritm ex myft wmjb nxwe hqft amc zu jj bj ctx aj ux sikz davn gdl xzwm mcvu we akuv kmm zsbg uq wuxt itdv ebg rmrm cukc xwn gyab zhb skql two kaex xp fiw vjmy xa fuh dw dgd mc yxiy zp be nhp yqs np rvk dg yr yd fal ot kku zovp ganh ecy uj tco foue myrf jkb ovu wpjv ebkq zdi rgh ci vw lv zgvv to vf rwnp tit ldr dzmk opud nw vm rdwy pb miy gsz xuo sr dow mfe tygj bnrv ftjn skf lyg qy xtyv ib orep rkuh yed cd eqsq wr tu koml tapn iuy et lybs njc uol gitk bfle lje gog rllx mhmo kr dhe ek ivfp 

Job: Investments Intern – Ghana

About the job

Do you have a keen interest in financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and impact investing? Zidicircle promotes inclusive entrepreneurship and financing for the Global diaspora & SMEs in Africa. We do this by facilitating training boot camps for startups and angel investors as well as facilitating funding, mentorship, match-making and venture partnerships. We are headquartered in the Netherlands with a physical presence in Ghana and Kenya and Virtually through programmes that widely reach the global diaspora and participants across the EU, UK and Africa.

This role of an investment intern will support the Angel investing programme called the Venture backers programme where aspiring diaspora and in-country angel investors get trained and thereafter start investing through the Zidicircle Coop-Investment Vehicle.

The focus on Ghana will mostly support Green SMEs and Angel investors through the investment process. Read more about the Green venture backers programme here.

Our organization has a very inclusive culture with a hybrid format that promotes a great work-life balance. We also have good personal development opportunities through training and International exposure. This role requires someone based in Ghana and mobile enough to visit the SMEs in different regions.

This is a 3 months internship position with a possibility of being absorbed by Zidicircle.

Skills & Attributes

The following skills would be an advantage:

  • A recent university graduate of a finance-focused degree or a related discipline
  • Broad understanding of SMEs needs and solutions
  • Excellent Analytical skills
  • Excellent spreadsheet skills – particularly in Excel
  • Excellent communication – both verbal and written english, french is an added advantage
  • Excellent organizational skill
  • Tech savvy

Responsibilities:

  • Act as a liaison between the Green SMEs and Investors
  • Coordinate the retrieval of business information from the green SMEs
  • Reviewing green SMEs funding application forms
  • Onboarding the green venture backers’ (investors) to the Zidicircle Coop including replying to applications, onboarding calls, bylaws clarification, information requests and approvals
  • Coordinating SMEs and Investors for the green pitching events including evaluation, grading and post pitch follow up
  • Coordinating due diligence by contacting entrepreneurs and gathering all relevant information for due diligence
  • Coordinating with 3rd parties for due diligence background checks
  • Visiting SMEs for on-the-ground due diligence
  • Holding investor meetings and sharing meeting reports
  • Scheduling entrepreneurs’ meetings where necessary
  • Preparing investments committee minutes
  • Facilitating funding negotiations and documentation with the SMEs, investors and lawyers
  • Proper storage of green SME investments documentation, filling in the database
  • Responding to queries by outside parties
  • Coordinating with Lawyers for deal closing
  • Preparing payments documentation for the Board
  • Coordinating timely reporting by the portfolio companies

Applications with a detailed CV and cover letter can be made online on this link by 27th November 2022. For any queries write to applications@zidicircle.com

Read more

Ghanaian Startup, Uvuko Plastics, Raises Funding from Diaspora Angels to Manage and Recycle Plastic Waste in Ghana

Ghanaian startup, Uvuko Company Limited has raised funding from Zidicircle’s Diaspora Angel Investors through their investment vehicle: Zidicircle Coop- to scale its plastic waste management and recycling within Tarkwa in the Western Region of Ghana. Founded in 2017 by Kofi and Aba Ackon, Uvuko Company Limited aims to promote sustainable cities by reducing the effect of plastic waste pollution on the environment.

Entrepreneurship Training and Pitching

Uvuko Company Limited was incubated under the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project, a four-year action from the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) that aims to create greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women, and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses in two selected regions in Ghana: the Ashanti and Western regions.

After successfully completing the GrEEn Incubation Programme, a 6-month business advisory training provided by SNV Ghana and its business hub partners in the two regions (Kofi was supported by U-hub located in Tarkwa) where GrEEn is being implemented, Kofi Ackon pitched to Diaspora and Ghanaian angel investors trained under the Green Venture Backers’ Programme, a partnership between Zidicircle and SNV Ghana that provides coaching and support to interested diaspora and in-country angel investors. (The Green Venture Backers’ Programme is geared at mobilizing a fraction of diaspora remittances and in-country savings, converting them into venture investments to bridge the financing gap and provide financial inclusion to green and sustainable start-ups and innovations by entrepreneurs in the circular economy). 

Under the partnership with SNV Ghana, green entrepreneurs who graduated (like Kofi) or were currently enrolled in the GrEEn Incubation Programme then pitch their products and services to trained angel investors from Zidicircle. After the pitch, Zidicircle’s angel investors, under the guidance of the Zidicircle Coop (a diaspora-driven special-purpose investment vehicle) evaluate the businesses and collectively invest in any chosen green company.

From a Problem to a Business

Kofi Ackon was inspired to build Uvuko Company Limited after being unemployed upon completing his postgraduate degree and experiencing severe flooding caused by a blockage in the main drain by PET bottles and polyethene bags where he lived, “After experiencing the severe flooding, I decided to find ways of getting plastics off our street and out of our drains. I discovered the plastic recycling industry was a budding one in Ghana and there was a high demand for recycled plastics. So I decided to go into plastic recycling to help rid our streets of plastics and create employment for myself and the youth in my community.”  says Kofi.

Once the company was set up, Kofi and his team went ahead to build a plastic recycling culture in Tarkwa by sensitising people in the communities, schools, markets, churches and organizations in their city. “Right from the onset of Uvuko, we realized the need for a strong relationship with all stakeholders in the municipalities. Through these engagements, we were able to liaise with chiefs and local government authorities to set up collection points in the communities. We engage members in the communities, mostly women, as agents. The impact is seen in how clean some communities have become and the extra income that goes to households in the communities,” stated Kofi. 

The plastic recycling culture that Uvuko is continuously building has drastically grown over a period of 5 years from collecting 150 kg of plastics per month to collecting over 20,000 kg of plastics per month. This has to a great extent reduced the volume of plastic that ends up in drains and landfills in the municipality, but there’s still more that needs to be done.

Once the plastics are collected, they are sorted, shredded, washed and dried into flakes and pellets which are then packaged in recyclable sacks and sold to plastic-manufacturing companies. The company also promotes the reuse of plastics among local waste management enterprises by providing them with refurbished dustbins. What’s more, the brand also sells clean and reusable plastic gallons to SMEs that produce liquid soap.

Over the years, the venture has created a loyal market for its recycled products. Kofi attributes this to a strong value chain, “What makes our flakes and pellets one of the best in Ghana lies in the strong value chain we have created over the years. From collection to processing, all the players involved are educated on the Resin Identification Codes (RIC) to ensure that quality recyclable plastics make it to the end of the processing line.” 

Some of the diaspora angels at a past event in Amsterdam

What’s Next for the Company?

With the funds raised, Uvuko Company Limited plans to get more machinery to scale up the production of flakes and pellets, and introduce renewable energy solutions to aid in lighting during production, “We are always looking for new means of reducing cost and improving the quality of our products. It’s no wonder we produce one of the best flakes in Ghana.” adds Kofi

The company also plans to level up its education on plastic recycling by working more with communities and institutions within the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality to collect more plastic waste. Currently, Uvuko works with basic schools, mining service contractors, sachet water producers, bulk aggregators in over 20 communities, local gin producers, liquid soap manufacturers, waste management firms, and over 690 individual collectors in Tarkwa.

Kofi also plans to expand production, “The funding has created an opportunity for Uvuko to add more value to the plastic waste it collects. It will increase our capacity to educate and add more communities in the three adjourning districts by the close of next year.” 

He continues, “The funding will also create an avenue to serve not just the local market but the foreign ones as well. However, the majority of the impact will be felt by the various collectors, transporters, agents, aggregators and individuals along our value chain. The extra capacity will rail in more income that can support the growth of everyone involved in the value chain.

Genevieve Parker-Twum, the Senior Incubation and Acceleration Advisor for the GrEEn Project in SNV Ghana expressed elation about the funding provided to Uvuko, “We’re excited about this opportunity for Uvuko Company to expand its business. Kofi was very committed to the GrEEn Incubation Programme and to growing his business. Our hope is that our partnership with Zidicircle on the Green Venture Backers Programme will be the stepping stone for improved cooperation with Ghanaian diaspora investments in SMEs.”  

Fridah Ntarangwi, the Managing Director of Zidicircle also elaborated on why the investors chose Uvoko, Kofi and his team really impressed our investors. They are solving a major environmental problem, and they have managed to get all stakeholders involved at the local community level. They are also providing employment opportunities along the plastic recycling value chain. This investment will enable them to acquire the necessary equipment to scale creating a better environment with more opportunities for the youth.

The  Ghanaian Investment Promotion Center has been very supportive to the diaspora investors thus making this investment possible“, continues Fridah Ntarangwi.

From Zidicircle and SNV Ghana, we wish Kofi and his team at Uvuko Company Limited all the best as they step into this new chapter of their journey!

About Zidicircle Coop- Diaspora Investments  

The Diaspora Investments Coop is a special-purpose investment vehicle that enters into investment agreements with start-ups or small and medium-sized businesses as an investor for and on behalf of the venture backer who has decided to invest in the business concerned. The beneficial ownership from those investments lies with the investors.

The investment vehicle was initiated by an organised group of diaspora individuals from Zidi B. V’s Venture Backers programme and other professionals, entrepreneurs and like-minded international angel investors who want to reduce the knowledge, resources and funding gap for startups and small and medium businesses founded by underserved entrepreneurs who are driven by a positive impact on the environment, society and support the sustainable development goals (SDG’s).

About SNV

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit international development organization that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services. SNV focuses on three key sectors: agriculture, renewable energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). SNV has a long-term, local presence in over 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and has been working in Ghana since 1992.

The Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) project is a four-year action from the European Union and its European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). The project aims at creating greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women and returning migrants by promoting and supporting sustainable, green businesses and local climate-resilient economies in two regions in Ghana: Ashanti and Western. Within the GrEEn project, SNV is responsible for two result areas:

  • Employability and entrepreneurship capabilities of youth, women and returnees are improved in selected sectors, for the benefit of green and climate-resilient local economies.
  • SMEs, offering decent and sustainable jobs to youth, women and returnees, are incubated and/or accelerated and contribute to green and climate-resilient local economies.

About Zidi B.V

Zidi B.V is a business incubator and Investments Advisory firm headquartered in the Netherlands that promotes inclusive entrepreneurship and Financing for the Global diaspora & SMEs in Africa. Zidi’s Venture Backers Programme is targeted at local and diaspora professionals who are interested in investing in SMEs in their home countries. We provide various interventions;

  •  Our corporate services include; Training boot camps for startups/SMEs, angel investing training, and angel investment management.
  • Our advocacy roles include Mobilizing global diaspora towards economic development in Host and home countries, Rallying governments into creating enabling environment for the diaspora and creating vibrant entrepreneur support and funding ecosystems
  • We work with Entrepreneurs, investors, development partners, corporate partners, Consultants and organizations that share these goals.

Read more about the programme  here

For any comments or correspondent please email Coop@zidicircle.com or greenghana@snv.org

Read more