Catalytic working capital loan will help MAÏA increase production, leverage its Pan-African patent, and expand into new markets as part of a $2M scaling strategy.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., September 1, 2026 — Miller Center Capital, the impact investing arm of Miller Center for Global Impact at Santa Clara University, has provided a working capital loan to MAÏA Africa that helps protect children from malaria through mosquito-repellent skincare. The investment was made in partnership with fund manager Beneficial Returns.
MAÏA combines natural skincare ingredients, such as locally sourced shea butter and beeswax, with protection from bites from malaria vectors for up to eight hours. The product is designed to complement bed nets by protecting children when they are not under a net, particularly in the early evening. Since its launch, MAÏA has distributed more than one million jars across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. The product is now available in over 1,500 points of sale.
Closing the Malaria Protection Gap
Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases for young children in sub-Saharan Africa. MAÏA’s approach is deceptively simple: rather than asking families to adopt an entirely new behavior, it builds additional protection into an existing daily routine. A 100ml jar costs about $1.5 USD and can protect one child for approximately one month.
“Bed nets remain the foundation of malaria prevention, but they cannot protect a child who is eating, playing, or studying before bedtime,” said Franck Langevin, CEO of MAÏA Africa. “MAÏA is designed to close that early-evening protection gap by adding mosquito repellent to a product families already use every day.”
Scaling Protection to More Families
The Miller Center Capital loan provides vital momentum to MAÏA’s current $2M fundraising round aimed at scaling operations across 13 high-burden countries by 2030. It will give MAÏA more flexibility to purchase key inputs and place production orders earlier, helping the company maintain inventory as sales grow. MAÏA also supports local economic activity by sourcing natural ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax, and cottonseed oil from cooperatives and distributing products through pharmacies, retailers, community agents, and nonprofit partners.
“Operating across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire — and preparing to expand into East Africa — is a remarkable execution challenge for a company of MAÏA’s size,” said Paul Belknap, director of impact investing at Miller Center for Global Impact. “They’ve shown they can navigate that complexity. Our investment, together with the strategic work they’re doing with their Miller Center mentors, is about helping MAÏA build the systems and capacity to do it at much greater scale.”
MAÏA graduated from Miller Center’s accelerator program in 2025 and is currently participating in the Fall 2026 In-Residence investment readiness program.
About MAÏA Africa
MAÏA Africa is a certified B Corporation that develops and distributes a moisturizing mosquito-repellent ointment designed to supplement existing malaria-prevention tools, particularly for children under five. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, MAÏA currently operates in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire and is preparing to expand into East Africa. The company’s innovative formulation is protected by an invention patent granted in 35 African countries, and the product has received marketing authorizations in 11 countries. The company sources natural ingredients locally and works through retail, community health, and nonprofit distribution channels to make malaria protection accessible to families in high-burden regions.
About Miller Center Capital
Miller Center Capital is the impact-investing arm of Miller Center for Global Impact at Santa Clara University. The Innovation Fund, managed by Beneficial Returns, is one part of this initiative, providing catalytic loans to early-growth-stage social enterprises that reduce poverty by advancing women’s economic power and building climate resilience. Founded in 1997, Miller Center has supported 1,600 social enterprises in more than 100 countries.
About Beneficial Returns
Beneficial Returns is an impact investment manager that finances social enterprises working to alleviate poverty and protect the natural environment in Latin America and Southeast Asia. In addition, the firm serves as fund manager for Miller Center Capital, where it provides investments to Miller Center graduates throughout the developing world.
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Media Contact:
Karen Carter
Director of Marketing Communications
Miller Center for Global Impact
kcarter1@scu.edu
Investment Contact:
Paul Belknap
Director of Impact Investing
Miller Center for Global Impact
pbelknap@scu.edu
