Netherlands-based private equity funder XSML has invested an undisclosed amount in Congo-based call centre First & Future (F&F).
XSML has backed the company through its small and medium sized enterprise (SME) vehicle, the Central Africa SME Fund. The financing will enable F&F to grow its services within the country’s nascent services industry. F&F will set up a 30-seat call center, and will eventually expand this to seat up to 200 agents.
The company is looking to buy call center software and hardware, and expand into offering a general information service. The service plans to enable callers find information on services and goods quicker and at a lower cost.
“Our investment in First & Future will bring customer service to a new level on par with international standards,” said Marcel Posthuma, managing partner at XSML. “We see a trend that more and more companies want to connect to their customer base in a more efficient way.”
Headquartered in Kinshasa, F&F is understood to be the first independent commercial call center in Congo. The company manages both on and off-site call centers, offering services to local companies.
XSML was founded in 2008 and in January made its first investment in Congo, backing private healthcare provider Médecins de Nuit.
