We are pleased to share our 2025 Impact Report, Creating Lasting Change. The publication looks at how our partner companies delivered measurable progress across our three impact priorities – gender equity, quality jobs and climate action – while supporting broader economic impact.

This year we have taken a more concise, story-led approach, pairing our full consolidated sustainability data with case studies and insights that show what this work means in practice.

Impact at a glance

Supporting broader economic impact
Across the portfolio, our partner companies served 12 million customers, paid US$32.8 million in taxes and worked with nearly 3,000 suppliers.

Improving job quality
Verod partner companies supported 33,051 full-time jobs in 2025, made over 950 internal promotions, and the number of indirect jobs supported increased by 21%.

Advancing gender equity
17,122 women were employed across the portfolio – 55% of the total workforce. Meanwhile, every partner company meets at least one 2X criteria.

Taking climate action
On climate, Scope 1+2 emissions fell 6%, US$442,000 was invested in energy-efficiency projects, and non-hazardous waste recycling rose 90%.

Stories behind the numbers

Building gender-inclusive leadership at iSON Xperiences. When we invested in the pan-African business process outsourcing company, its eight-member executive team had no women. With FMO's support, a Gender-Inclusive Business Practices programme delivered by Value for Women helped move the executive team from zero women to three, lifted women's representation in top and senior management from 17.8% to 27.6%, and improved the gender pay ratio from 0.79 to 1.04. Internal promotions rose 331% as formalised career pathways took effect.

Creating quality jobs at i-Fitness. West Africa's largest fitness chain strengthened health and safety, career development and workplace standards across its 30 branches. The recordable injury rate fell 10% even as workforce hours grew 12%, internal promotions rose 675%, and the business added 60 net new jobs. This happened while revenue per employee increased by 54% and EBITDA per employee grew 173%.

Driving energy transformation at Oreon Education. Greensprings School commissioned a 600 kWp solar plant with battery storage at its Lekki campus – one of the largest solar-plus-storage systems at a Nigerian school. Diesel consumption fell by just over 18%, cutting the school's Scope 1 emissions by more than a fifth, and the system's Renewable Energy Certificates create an additional revenue stream.

Insights

The report features a conversation with Una Wilson and Constantin Brinkmann, our technical assistance partners at DEG and DEG Impulse, who we have worked with on a range of projects including energy audits at telecoms infrastructure business, Pan African Towers. It also features a welcome from our Managing Partner, Danladi Verheijen, and a forward-looking interview with Nieros Oyegun Soerensen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer.

“We hope this report provides a useful perspective on how we seek to build stronger businesses that deliver both attractive financial returns and lasting impact.”
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod

Read the report here