Enabling the growth of companies on African markets

We support business leaders in their growth strategies and impact challenges in emerging markets.

classM is a leading consulting firm in Africa

We support business leaders in their growth strategies and impact challenges in emerging markets.

Backed by a strong entrepreneurial mindset, we craft locally rooted solutions built on a deep understanding of Africa’s economic and social dynamics.

By working with classM, clients expand their activity in highly growing African markets. We deliver solutions fully tailored to the environment of our clients.

150+
missions
35+
countries
70+
clients
200M+
catalyzed
They trust us
We advise

BUSINESS LEADERS

Our services include identifying opportunities, assessing growth drivers, conducting technical and economical feasibility studies to support project development.

Our work is based on in-depth sectorial analysis to understand industry trends identify bottlenecks and design go-to-market strategies.

INVESTORS

We provide comprehensive commercial, technical and ESG due diligence expertise to ensure informed and responsible investment decisions.

We also work upstream in sourcing deal opportunities by analysing value chains to identify investment needs and uncover key business opportunities.

OPERATORS

We provide implementation support through tailored action plans, identification of local partners, and marketing.

Our project monitoring services include setting up indicators to track progress and impact, ensuring resource optimization, and delivering detailed operational reporting.

IMPACT LEADERS

We design strategies that enhance local economic development by promoting inclusive value-sharing and local content solutions. We focus on projects that generate significant and lasting local economic benefits.

Projects
Filters
Country
Sector of activity
Mission type
Ghana, Senegal2025

Identification of business opportunities for Nutriset Development in Ghana and Senegal.

Client : Nutriset
Cameroon2020-2025

Creation and management of a fruit and vegetable production and commercialisation company.

Client : AGRO SOURCING LOGISTICS
Gabon2014-2025

Creation and management of a fruit and vegetable purchasing centre in Gabon.

Client : LA CLÉ DES CHAMPS
Uganda2021-2025

Equity investment and financial management of a food trading company in Uganda.

Client : PURE GROW AFRICA
Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana2025

Global market study on fish farming in Africa.

Guinea2025

Analysis and recommendations for the horticultural sector in Guinea.

Client : COLEAD
Ghana, Senegal2025

Market study for Nutriset Development’s Technical Assistance offer.

Client : NUTRISET
Côte d'Ivoire2025

Identification of economic activities for the inhabitants of the areas concerned by the restoration and conservation measures of 12 forests in Côte d’Ivoire.

Client : ETICWOOD
Côte d'Ivoire2025

Economic diagnosis of the periphery of the Cavally reserve, and feasibility study for a beekeeping project.

Client : FONDATION EARTHWORM
Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal2025

Training of Erium (formerly Air Liquide Africa) teams on the IFC PS2 standard.

Client : ADENIA
Guinea2025

Sizing and feasibility study of a financially autonomous operational unit to structure the market gardening sectors of Faranah and improve the income of farmers in the area.

Client : RIO TINTO
Indonesia, Rest of the world2025

Feasibility study for the development of a premium nutmeg value chain in Maluku, Indonesia.

Client : ERAMET
Côte d'Ivoire2025

Training of CSR managers in the extractive sector on good practices for the development of economic activities.

Client : CLASSM
Cameroon2025

Support for the implementation of a plantain purchasing centre in Cameroon.

Client : ERAMET
Ghana2025

Technical & Commercial and Environmental & Social Due Diligence for an investment in an agricultural service company.

Client : SCF
Senegal2025

Baseline analysis of an investment in an onion production unit (SAF Ingredient).

Client : AATIF
Congo2025

Upstream analysis for investment opportunities of IFC in the maize value chain for investment.

Client : IFC
Democratic Republic of the Congo2025

Support for the structuring of an agri desk to develop a financial service for the agricultural sector.

Client : IFC
Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Togo2025

Audit of SNV’s good practices in the WAEMU zone.

Client : SNV
Angola2025

Study of the Angolan market in the context of the rehabilitation of an irrigated perimeter of 1,500 hectares.

Client : TRESOR PUBLIC
Uganda2024

Identification of international commercial opportunities in the bean sector.

Client : PURE GROW AFRICA
Rest of the world2024

Assessment of the group’s compliance with the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive).

Client : COMPAGNIE FRUITIERE
Morocco2024

Analysis of the Moroccan agro-industrial sector to identify potential project leaders for investments.

Client : FMO
Côte d'Ivoire2024

Feasibility study for an oilseed processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire.

Client : PCCET
Côte d'Ivoire2024

Feasibility study for a shea plant in Côte d’Ivoire.

Client : INVESTISSEUR PRIVE
Côte d'Ivoire2024

Animation of management teams to define and appropriate a vision for 2028.

Client : SCB
Côte d'Ivoire2024

Analysis of diversification opportunities in the pineapple sector in Côte d’Ivoire.

Indonesia, Rest of the world2024

Identification and prioritization of opportunities for an agroforestry project in Maluku, Indonesia.

Client : ERAMET
Cameroon2024

Opportunity study for an economic development project in Cameroon.

Client : KHPC
Djibouti2024

Opportunity analysis and feasibility study of a specialty nutritious food plant.

Client : SOVEREIGN CARBON AGENCY DJIBOUTI
Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal2024

ESG due diligence for the acquisition of Air Liquide’s assets in 12 African countries.

Client : ADENIA
Europe, Ghana, Rest of the world2023

Opportunity study on the cassava and yam sector in West Africa and Europe.

Client : COMPAGNIE FRUITIERE
Benin, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Togo2023

Analysis of strategic agricultural value chains in ARISE target countries.

Client : ARISE
Togo2023

Analysis of the economic and social impact of the cotton sector in Togo and recommendations to support the development of the sector.

Client : NSCT (OLAM)
Burkina Faso2023

AMO for the launch of a cattle breeding and slaughtering project.

Client : RANCH DU TUY
Gabon2023

Feasibility study for fish farming in Gabon.

Client : ASSALA ENERGY
Cameroon2023

Feasibility study for a cocoa and plantain project in Cameroon.

Client : ERAMET
Congo2023

Model analysis and advocacy support for a mining project.

Senegal2023

Identification of economic opportunities in the Sabodala area.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Côte d'Ivoire2023

Identification of economic opportunities in the Lafigué area.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Côte d'Ivoire2023

Market and feasibility study for the development of a mine core production plant.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Gabon2023

Setting up a fish farm in Omboué.

Client : PERENCO GABON
Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal2023

Support for the construction of an impact investment fund.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Senegal2023

Definition and structuring of the business model of the FADEV impact fund.

Client : PROPARCO
Togo2023

Competitive analysis and recommendations for the cotton and soybean sectors in Togo.

Client : IFC
Burkina Faso, Guinea2023

Analysis of 6 Burkinabe companies and 12 Guinean companies in order to identify their technical assistance needs to be implemented for future investment.

Client : IFC
Côte d'Ivoire2023

Logistical support for the identification of local partners.

Client : LARIVE
Democratic Republic of the Congo2023

Deep-Dive analysis of the cassava, maize and aquaculture sectors in the DRC.

Client : IFC
Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Senegal, Togo2023

Support to the Mastercard Foundation’s West Africa teams to structure a support program for the rice sector in the WAEMU zone.

Client : MASTERCARD FOUNDATION
Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal2023

Strategic support for the operationalization of the new Mastercard Foundation strategy in West Africa.

Client : MASTERCARD FOUNDATION
Mali2023

Fundraising for a shea processing plant in Côte d’Ivoire.

Client : MALI SHI SA
Mali2023

Market and feasibility study of the animal feed sector in Mali.

Client : NMA SANDERS
Côte d'Ivoire2023

Industrial and commercial due diligence in the context of an investment project in the agro-industrial sector.

Client : GROUPE AVOS
Benin, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo2023

Analysis of agricultural value chains in the countries of intervention of ARISE to determine a model applicable in other countries.

Client : ARISE
Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal2023

Market study on liquefied petroleum gas in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

Client : LARIVE
Côte d'Ivoire2022

Development of an agropole model in Côte d’Ivoire.

Rest of the world2022

Analysis of reference standards for non-financial corporate reporting.

Mali2022

Feasibility study for a fish farm in the Baguinéda area in Mali.

Côte d'Ivoire2022

Development of a CSR strategic plan and sustainability project sheets.

Client : IVOIRE COTON
Cameroon, Congo2022

Analysis of plastic recycling options and search for partners.

Client : PERENCO CONGO
Cameroon2022

Sizing economic development opportunities.

Client : ERAMET
Gabon2022

Study of the opportunity of economic activities in the city of Port-Gentil.

Client : TOTALENERGIES GABON
Senegal2022

Analysis of the Senegalese agro-industrial sector to identify potential project leaders for investments.

Client : FMO
Mali2022

Analysis of processing opportunities in the shea sector (refining and fragmentation of raw butter).

Client : IFC
Côte d'Ivoire2022

Study of post-harvest practices in the horticultural sector.

Client : LARIVE
Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire2022

Definition and action plan of a carbon strategy.

Client : IPS WEST AFRICA
Ethiopia2022

Analysis of investment opportunities in Free Trade Zones.

Client : IFC
Cameroon2022

Analysis of the logistics market potential and identification of prospects in different economic sectors (wood, wind, industry, construction and transport, health) in Cameroon.

Client : FLYING WHALES
Gabon2022

Development of the economic model for a vast land complex of 300,000 hectares intended to preserve and enhance biodiversity.

Client : GSEZ ARISE
Europe, Rest of the world2021

Market study on Bananas in Europe.

Mali2021

Economic sizing and study of the technical feasibility of the valorization of cereals in Mali.

Client : OMNIUM
Mali2021

Feasibility study for a fonio processing unit in Mali.

Client : OMNIUM
Benin2021

Market study of poultry sectors in Benin.

Client : EHUA AGRIPA BENIN
Cameroon2021

Feasibility study for an animal feed production unit in Cameroon.

Client : PERENCO CAMEROUN
Cameroon2021

Structuring the local economic development pillar in Cameroon.

Client : PERENCO
Côte d'Ivoire2021

Study of opportunities for the creation of activities with a strong economic and social impact.

Client : BIOVEA ENERGIE
Côte d'Ivoire2021

Identification of economic opportunities in the Ity area.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Mali2021

Identification of economic opportunities in the Kalan area.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Burkina Faso2021

Identification of economic opportunities in the Houndé area.

Client : ENDEAVOUR MINING
Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Senegal2021

Market study on cotton, rice, and onions in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal, and Mali.

Client : COFINA
Mali2021

Feasibility study on the local production of ready-to-use therapeutic foods to combat malnutrition.

Client : UNICEF
Mali2021

Market study and financial structuring of investment projects in the agri-food sector in Mali.

Client : IFC
Mali2021

Feasibility study for the processing of mango, ginger and sweet potato.

Client : IFC
Benin2021

Feasibility study for a food crop development project in Benin.

Client : ARISE
Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Togo2021

Market study of selected value chains and local processing opportunities in 4 West African countries for special economic zones.

Client : ARISE
Côte d'Ivoire2021

Analysis of the logistics market potential and identification of prospects in different economic sectors (wood, wind, industry, construction and transport, health) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Client : FLYING WHALES
Brazil, Rest of the world2020

Mango Market Research in Brazil.

Côte d'Ivoire2020

Feasibility study for rum production in Côte d’Ivoire.

France, Rest of the world, West Africa2020

Market study on fertilizers in France and West Africa.

Central African Republic2020

Feasibility study for an industrial maize plantation.

Client : HORUS IMPACT
Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo2020

Market research for processed soy products in West Africa.

Client : AGROPOL
Côte d'Ivoire2020

Support for the preparation of a 20 MW biomass power plant project in Côte d’Ivoire.

Client : ERANOVE
Burkina Faso, Mali2020

Baseline study and operational documentary review of 10 agro-industrial sectors in Mali and Burkina Faso.

Client : IFC/PROPARCO
Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal2020

Analysis of five agro-industrial value chains and food systems with high density of agri-food SMEs in three countries of the Sahel region.

Client : SAFIN
Mali2020

Market study, identification of investment opportunities in the agro-industrial sector in Mali and development of business plans and economic models for investment projects.

Client : API MALI
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal, Togo2020

Assessing the market potential for the establishment of a network of dialysis centres in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cameroon2019

Market study of spices in Cameroon.

Côte d'Ivoire2019

Market study of essential oils in Côte d’Ivoire.

Senegal2019

Technical audit and investment strategy to develop a fresh mango export business.

Client : CAYOR FRUITS
Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana2019

ESG due diligence of cocoa sourcing and trading activities.

Client : TOUTON
Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe2019

Market study on market gardening in Central and West Africa.

Client : COLEACP
Mali2019

Opportunity study in the oilseed sectors in Mali, with a special focus on the soybean sector.

Client : OMNIUM
Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire2019

Analysis of investment opportunities in banana flour.

Gabon2019

Study of economic opportunities in the Fernan Vaz region in Gabon.

Client : PERENCO GABON
Mali2019

Audit of Laham Industrie’s strategy to improve the profitability of a modern slaughterhouse located in Kayes.

Client : IFC
Guinea2019

Technical Audit of Agricultural Projects for IFC Financing.

Client : IFC
Côte d'Ivoire2019

Study of the potential for the recovery of the brewery’s by-products.

Client : BRASSIVOIRE
Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal2018

Study on the African Wine and Spirits Market.

Africa2018

Analysis of an investment opportunity in the insect sector.

Cameroon2018

Market research on tropical flowers.

Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal2018

Study of the cardboard packaging market in West and Central Africa.

Cameroon2018

Analysis of investment opportunities in chocolate production.

Morocco2018

Ecosystem project in Jorf Lasfa.

Client : ENGIE
Djibouti2018

Market study of the agricultural component of a solar farm.

Client : AKUO ENERGY
Mali2018

ESG due diligence for a fruit processing project.

Client : THE MORINGA PARTNERSHIP/FUND
Cameroon2018

Drafting of a food security program.

Client : SUD CAMEROUN HEVEA
Rest of the world2018

Diversification strategy in the energy sector.

Client : CFAO
Ethiopia2018

Strategic support for Powercorner in the mini-grid sector in Ethiopia.

Client : POWER CORNER
Ethiopia2018

Support to the East Africa deployment strategy.

Client : ENGIE
Ethiopia2018

Strategic support for the Solar Home Systems market in Ethiopia.

Mali2018

Diversification strategy in the Agro/Agril sector in Mali.

Client : OMNIUM
South Africa2017

Analysis of the potential for a banana production in South Africa.

Rest of the world2017

Red Berries Market Analysis.

Rest of the world, Romania2017

Analysis of the banana market in Romania.

Angola2017

Launch of a new industrial activity.

Client : OXBOW
Morocco2017

Pre-sizing of a cattle farm in Morocco.

Client : ANTHONY SOWAN
Madagascar2017

Market study and production cost estimation for the establishment of a lychee processing plant.

Burkina Faso2017

Valorisation of cotton by-products in the livestock-meat sector.

Client : GEOCOTON
Angola2017

Feasibility studies to produce Castel’s raw material locally in Angola.

Client : CASTEL
Uganda2017

Analysis of expansion potential in Uganda.

Client : SPIE OIL & GAS
Gabon2017

Development of a CSR impact control solution for the company Clé des Champs.

Client : ERAMET
Mali2017

Technical, commercial and financial feasibility study for the establishment of a shea processing unit.

Client : OMNIUM
Senegal2017

Deployment of a water purification solution in Senegal.

Client : SOCIETE DU CANAL DE PROVENCE (SCP)
Ghana2016

Analysis of the potential and challenges of the Sugarloaf Pineapple market.

Angola2016

Technical and Economic Feasibility for the Rehabilitation of an Ancient Coffee Plantation in Angola.

Client : ANGOITALIA
Lebanon, Palestine, Rest of the world, Tunisia2016

Optimisation of investments for local economies in the Mediterranean.

Client : EDILE
Togo2016

Development strategy for an agricultural BlueZone in Lomé.

Client : BOLLORE
Angola2015

Sizing of Agro/Agri value chains.

Client : GEOCOTON
Côte d'Ivoire2014

Structuring of the Océnana project, aimed at selling agricultural products on the Ivorian market.

Angola, Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria2014

Development of the local sourcing strategy.

Client : BOURBON
Senegal2014

Strategic support for the development of Setec in Senegal.

Client : SETEC INTERNATIONAL
Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Rest of the world2013

Development of a plan for a sustainable CSR strategy.

Client : DOLE FRANCE
Madagascar, Mongolia, Rest of the world2013

Support for the development of a local content strategy.

Client : ECOLOG
Gabon2012

Development of a strategy to control social impacts.

Client : SOMDIAA
Gabon2012

Due diligence for an investment fund.

Client : AGRILAND
Democratic Republic of the Congo2012

Development of a strategy to control social impacts.

Client : SHALINA RESSOURCES
Uganda2012

Supplier audit in a new country of operation.

Client : CIS
Cameroon, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone2012

Risk analysis of an infrastructure project.

Client : AIDA
Our vision

We believe that truly sustainable projects are rooted in strong, profitable economic models. We see companies as powerful drivers of value creation and territorial development.

Our entrepreneurial mindset is grounded in real-world experience. Over the past 15 years, we’ve invested in and operated local businesses across Cameroon, Gabon, and Uganda. We’ve also played a key role in launching and scaling investment vehicles dedicated to financing high-impact SMEs.

Our approach challenges available data with local realities from the ground to design models and deliver actionable, strategies for our clients.

classM comes from the latin word Classis, meaning “crew”. classM’s team is a crew navigating towards one goal: serving our clients while aligning the interests of local and global talents.

Our team
Insights

TEDx – François-Xavier d’Ornellas

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Contact

If you are targeting growth in Africa, or facing local impact challenges in emerging markets, we are always happy to discuss.

Please reach out to contact@classm.fr

We are always looking for talents with strong analytical skills and a demonstrated interest in complex markets.

If you are interested in joining our teams, please send your resume to rh@classm.fr