Activity: Laboratory for geotechnical and environmental studies in Niger

Established: 2004

I&P's investment: 33% of equity stake

Revenue in 2008: 612 000 € 

Entrepreneur: Assane Amadou, engineer, trained in Toulouse, 49.

The company employs 50 people (engineers, office staff and technicians).

LEGENI is the first private laboratory for geotechnical studies in Niger. These studies (soil and material testing, and environmental impact studies), in theory compulsory, are essential for the professionalisation of the country's public works and construction industry. Until 2006 Niger had just one, poorly-equipped, public sector laboratory.

In four years, LEGENI has established itself as the reference laboratory in Niger, based on the quality of its equipment and service offerings. The company is developing extremely rapidly (its revenues doubled in 2008), with growth driven, in particular, by the wave of mining investments in the north of the country.