How a Belgian loan to one Tanzanian entrepreneur makes thousands of farmers a quarter wealthier — and how OVO makes such projects possible

The Power of a First Investment

OVO made the very first capital investment in EAFoods — a relatively small financial step, but one with enormous consequences. With that seed capital, Elia was able to build cooling depots, which drastically reduced food loss. The company was also able to develop data-driven purchasing strategies, giving farmers fairer and more stable prices.

The results were tangible and quickly noticeable: thousands of farmers saw their income increase by an average of 25%.

That first investment did something else as well: it built trust. It signaled to larger institutions such as BIO that EAFoods was being properly supported and validated. This opened the door to bigger loans and allowed the company to truly scale.

Read the full story in De Standaard  and discover how OVO is making the difference today between a good idea and a growing, impactful project.

What Makes OVO Unique in This Story

The success of EAFoods is not a stroke of luck. It perfectly illustrates what OVO stands for — and why the organization plays such a crucial role in the chain between idea and impact.

1. Essential seed capital where banks step back
OVO enables investments for entrepreneurs who do not yet fit within traditional banking frameworks. That early trust makes the difference between standing still and being able to grow.

2. Coaching and investment readiness
Financing alone is not enough. OVO provides intensive support to entrepreneurs in areas such as entrepreneurship, governance, financial management, and strategy. This helps projects develop into solid, investable companies.

3. Opening doors to follow-on financing
Thanks to OVO’s due diligence and support programs, larger institutional investors dare to step in. OVO acts as the first link that builds confidence.

4. Impact and commercial viability hand in hand
OVO ensures that every project is both socially and financially sustainable. Impact without a business model remains limited; a business without impact misses its purpose.

OVO is therefore not a standalone player but a structural catalyst: the organization that transforms smart ideas into scalable, investable, and socially relevant companies.