Franchise Impact Solutions Facility and Jibu Launch a Near $2 million Leaseback Financing Vehicle

Franchise Impact Solutions Facility (FISF) and JibuCo (Jibu) announce the close of a near $2 million sale-leaseback financing vehicle to support the expansion of Jibu’s social franchise business model across East Africa. Jibu capitalizes and equips African entrepreneurs to provide them with the opportunity to build sustainable businesses that offer their communities safe, affordable, and high-quality drinking water at each franchise site.

FISF is a blended financing facility that aims to finance the expansion of social franchise business models that deliver high impact. FISF is managed by Total Impact Capital, an impact investing firm located in Bethesda, Maryland. The facility helped to connect Jibu with nearly $2 million in debt financing through sale-leaseback agreements and expects to more than double its franchise financing to Jibu by 2025. The facility was capitalized by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Aqua for All, Total Impact Capital, Bertzman Social Ventures and Jibu. The DFC is an American Development Bank that partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. Aqua for All is a not-for-profit organization that uses its funds to catalyze an innovative, sustainable and inclusive water and sanitation economy worldwide. Bertzman Social Ventures provides financing for WASH enterprises and entrepreneurs implementing market-based solutions for water, sanitation, and hygiene problems around the globe.

FISF has its sights set on expanding its broader financing solutions services to other social franchisors across the world.

Jibu currently serves customers at more than 6,000 retail points across seven countries in East and Central Africa. The financing will enable Jibu to re-invest in the growth of existing franchises and the launch of new franchises across Sub Saharan Africa, including expansion into Southern and Western Africa. Jibu is also raising an equity offering which together with the proceeds of the Leaseback and debt facilities will enable Jibu to more than double its franchise network within the next two years.

Total Impact Capital Co-Founder & CEO and Manager of FISF, John Simon (right), at a Jibu franchise site alongside Jibu Co-Founder & CEO, Galen Welsch (left).