What is the purpose of Naventure, why can’t African companies turn directly to local banks to get a loan?
Naventure started since there is a vast need to provide loans for small businesses that need to grow. The financial market does not function in the same way as for example in Europe, both individuals as well as small businesses face difficulties in obtaining loans from the banks. There may be obstacles ranging from being able authenticate him/her-self, bureaucracy, corruption etc. Naventure does not only fascilitate loans but also provides counseling / coaching in business issues, ethical, social and spiritual issues

Do you make any good if you lend money to companies through Naventure?
Yes absolutely. Helping businesses with the finansing so they can grow and provide jobs for more employees provides a positive impact on the communities where the companies operate, see also Naventures vision and mission. At the same time, one should not see this as the charity / aid but lending on commercial terms.

Why should I invest / lend / money by Naventure instead of investing in for instance on the stock exchange market?
That is a question that everyone must answer for him/her-self, but if you want to get good returns on invested capital and at the same time work for a positive development in Africa, investing through Naventure is a good option.

How do I know that a company that makes loans is profitable and can manage the loan in a good way so that money does not just disappear into the bleeding business?
The companies are reviewed from both a financial and ethical standards and assessed to be healthy companies. At the time of the loan, a review is made of the business plan and the most recent annual reports. Navigators Africa has lent money to companies for about 13 years with very few losses and over the past eight years and have not made any credit losses. Further we keep continuously close contact with the companies.

How do I know that companies receiving loans are of high ethical standards?
The companies are audited by Naventure from both a financial and ethical standards, and what social responsibility the companies take for the local community and employees. Further, Naventure requests the companies to insure their vehicles, real estate, etc. which is not to be taken for granted in Africa.

When was Naventure established?
Naventure Nordic registered in January 2015 but the business of lending money to entrepreneurs and small businesses started by the Navigators Africa for about 13 years ago.

Can Naventure help out to establish business relations with the African market?
Yes absolutely. Naventure assists Scandinvian and African companies to develop their markets. Naventure has an unique opportunity to lower the threshold for Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises to enter the African market through our network of contacts.

Who are the owners of Naventure?
Naventure Nordic is registered in Sweden and has currently 10 shareholders, see Board-members and share-holders. Naventure Nordic started off as a wholly owned subsidiary of Naventure Ltd which is registered in Kenya, which in turn is owned by Navigators Africa but Swedish banks didn’t accept African owners so the company got new owners/shareholders from April 2016.

Who are the board-members of Naventure Nordic?
See board board members.

How much salaries are paid to board and employees of Naventure?
Currently all work is done within Naventure Nordic on a voluntary basis with regards to the management of the portfolio etc. However in case of e.g. of a consultancy assignments for a Swedish company that would like to establish business relations with Africa, we may charge for this. Terms and conditions to be agreed upon case by case.

How much profit does Naventure do?
Naventure Nordic has the intention to only get coverage for our (low) administration costs.

Can I get involved in any other way to contribute to a positive development in Africa than to lend money?
Yes, since in several cases the most important help to the companies has been counseling/coaching from investors with relevant business background and experiences to the companies in Africa with concrete advices. We have seen examples where strong relations has developed between an investor and a company in Africa.
We also have an Internet community where you can share experiences and knowledge in various fields, see how you can network with African entrepreneurs.