DOB Equity, a Dutch family-backed impact investor in East Africa, has invested in Natural Extracts Industries (NEI), an integrated natural vanilla flavour manufacturer, based in Moshi, Tanzania.

Vera Wachira, Investment Associate of DOB Equity, said: “We are excited to invest in NEI and support this sustainable agri-venture. NEI has a great team of industry experts, agronomists and fieldworkers, with strong values on improving the socio-economic strength of the community and conserving the environment.”

Since its inception in 2011, NEI has partnered with small-holder farmers by encouraging them to grow  vanilla next to their existing crops, thereby providing extra income.

NEI provides training in  good agricultural practices for over 5,000 farmers across five regions in Tanzania in vanilla husbandry (following organic principles) and traceability.

As a result, farmers have earned up to 50% additional income from vanilla farming. 

NEI sources green vanilla pods from these farmers and skilfully manufactures them into unique premium quality vanilla products.

The pods are mainly sold  to speciality food companies and flavour houses in the global market.

The investment by DOB Equity will facilitate the growth of NEI’s small-holder farmer network.

It will also help diversify the company’s sourcing capacity, as well as expanding  processing  capability.

The investment will also aim to increase the overall participation of Tanzania and the broader East African region in the premium quality natural flavour space.

Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, CEO of DOB Equity, said: “NEI is one of the most advanced regional processors and extractors of locally grown high-end crops such as vanilla. Through its diversified sourcing platform it can create substantial socio-economic impact for thousands of farmers in Tanzania and positively contribute to influence environmental sustainability.”

Juan Guardado, Founder and CEO of NEI, added:  “DOB Equity is a great addition to our already strong group of shareholders. NEI has been growing from strength to strength and we  trust that partnering with DOB Equity will help NEI to further boost Tanzania’s potential in the global market for natural flavours’’.