Impact Report 2025

Creating Lasting Change: Our impact in 2025

Empowering people, advancing gender equity and strengthening climate resilience

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This page provides a summary of our 2025 Impact Report. For more details on each topic, please read the full report.

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How we create impact

In 2025, we continued to make progress across our core impact pillars – advancing gender equity, taking climate action and creating quality jobs – while supporting broader economic impact in the markets where we operate.

Quality job creation

We back companies that create dignified, well-paid jobs — improving livelihoods and building more equitable local economies.

Quality job creation

We back companies that create dignified, well-paid jobs — improving livelihoods and building more equitable local economies.

Gender equity

We help our partners become gender champions — fostering inclusion, closing pay gaps and advancing women into leadership.

Gender equity

We help our partners become gender champions — fostering inclusion, closing pay gaps and advancing women into leadership.

Climate action

We build climate-resilient businesses and unlock low-carbon growth that supports sustainable development across the continent.

Climate action

We build climate-resilient businesses and unlock low-carbon growth that supports sustainable development across the continent.

Broader economic impact

Strengthening industries, expanding services, and creating inclusive, resilient jobs across West Africa.

Broader economic impact

Strengthening industries, expanding services, and creating inclusive, resilient jobs across West Africa.

Impact in action

Case studies from across the portfolio

Gender equality

iSON: Embedding gender equality at scale

iSON Xperiences employs around 18,000 people across Africa. We introduced gender-inclusive policies, improved women’s representation in leadership and increased internal promotions by more than 300%.

Quality jobs

Creating quality jobs in health and wellness

i-Fitness is West Africa’s largest fitness chain with 1,200+ employees. Targeted health, safety and career programmes reduced the injury rate by more than 50% and grew the workforce while supporting internal promotions.

Climate action

Driving energy efficiency in education

Greensprings School, part of Verod’s Oreon Education portfolio, deployed solar PV and energy-efficient systems across four Lagos campuses — cutting diesel consumption by over 18% and scope 1 emissions by over 20%

Award-winning impact

In 2025, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, one of our partner companies, won the Financial Times and World Bank Group’s Africa Sustainable Futures Award in the Local Manufacturing category. Emzor is building West Africa’s first processing plant for active pharmaceutical ingredients, enabling the local production of essential medicines. This will improve access to essential medicines and reduce reliance on imports.

Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"One of the biggest lessons is that sustainable impact rarely comes from standalone programmes. It comes from helping businesses become stronger, more resilient and better managed."
Nieros Oyegun Soerensen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Verod
Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"One of the biggest lessons is that sustainable impact rarely comes from standalone programmes. It comes from helping businesses become stronger, more resilient and better managed."
Nieros Oyegun Soerensen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Verod
Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"One of the biggest lessons is that sustainable impact rarely comes from standalone programmes. It comes from helping businesses become stronger, more resilient and better managed."
Nieros Oyegun Soerensen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Verod
Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"One of the biggest lessons is that sustainable impact rarely comes from standalone programmes. It comes from helping businesses become stronger, more resilient and better managed."
Nieros Oyegun Soerensen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, Verod

Read the report

Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod
Insights
"To say Verod’s support has been important is an understatement. They have been instrumental in guiding us, holding us accountable and sharing best practices from across industries."
Thabo Pietersen, Head of Strategy and Operations, i-Fitness
Insights
"The Verod team challenged us to be more ambitious in our approach to energy security and sustainability. This has led us to where we are today, where we have a solution that provides reliable power, so students have the best learning environment, while we can also generate additional revenue through Renewable Energy Certificates."
Adetola Bankole, Chief Operating Officer, Greensprings School
Insights
"I’ve been with iSON for 3 years. I’ve seen a significant change in decision-making power and strategies. I was promoted last year and felt a lot of empowerment in making decisions."
iSON Xperiences Woman Leader, Focus Group Discussion (December 2025)
Insights
"I want to see the ambition growing. Building on our initial projects, we are continuing a highly promising collaboration based on a partnership of equals."
Constantin Brinkmann, Senior Manager, DEG Impulse
Insights
"The strength and depth of the pipeline Verod presented stood out to us, with clear thinking on the specific needs of each portfolio company, combined with the calibre and commitment of the Verod team itself."
Una Wilson, Senior Manager, DEG
Insights
"Our impact achievements have benefitted from the expertise and engagement of our LP network in ways that often went beyond capital."
Danladi Verheijen, Managing Partner, Verod