CDC Group

CDC Group, established in 1948, is the UK’s Development Finance Institution wholly owned by the government. Its primary mission is to foster business development in Africa and South Asia, aiming to create jobs and improve living conditions in some of the world’s most impoverished regions. CDC invests strategically in sectors where job creation is most needed, including manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, financial institutions, construction, health, and education. By supporting businesses in these areas, CDC seeks to stimulate economic growth and enhance the private sector in regions where it is often underdeveloped. Through its portfolio, which includes numerous investee businesses, CDC has demonstrated a significant impact on job creation and local economies, contributing to tax revenues and ultimately improving the lives of individuals in the communities it serves.

Rohit Anand

Director & Head of Industrial Businesses team

Michelle Ashworth

Investment Director, FCP for Africa funds

Nikhil Balaraman

Director - Equity, South Asia

Andrew Brown

Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director

Colin Buckley

Chief Operating Officer

Jeremy Burke

Investment Director, Debt Team

Richard Charlton

Investment Director, Infrastructure Equity

Jeremy Cleaver

Head of Johannesburg Office & Portfolio Director, Intermediated Equity (Africa)

Peter Dohrn

Investment Professional

Michael Dreyer

Investment Director, Infrastructure Equity

David Easton

Director & Head of Consumer Businesses team

Mark Edwards

Director

Clarisa De Franco

Managing Director, Head of Africa Funds, Intermediated Equity

Murray Grant

Managing Director, Intermediated Equity

Jean-Guillaume Habay

Director and Head of Food and Agriculture

Ramona Handa

Investment Associate

Julien Lajoie-Deschamps

Investment Manager

Peter Maila

Coverage Director of Africa

Geoffrey Manley

Investment Director, Debt Team

Keki Minoo Mistry

Non-Executive Director

Alagappan Murugappan

Managing Director, Intermediated Equity (Asia Funds)

Srini Nagarajan

Managing Director & Head of South Asia

Megha Okhai

Investment Director, Food & Agriculture

Osborne, David Delano Franklin

Director & Head of the Generalist team

Richard Palmer

Investment Director Head of Corporate Debt

Nicolas Pitiot

Investment Director, Debt Team

Stephen Priestley

Managing Director, Funds and Capital Partnerships

Maia Renchon

Investment Manager, Debt Team

Holger Rothenbusch

Managing Director, Debt Team

Carlotta Saporito

Investment Manager, Intermediated Equity

Bradley Smith

Investment Manager

Lynsay Taffe

Director of Communications

Ryan Wagner

Portfolio Director, Intermediated Equity (Asia Funds)

Past deals in Kenya

Apollo Agriculture

Series B in 2022
Apollo Agriculture, founded in 2015 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, focuses on providing financial and technical support to smallholder farmers in emerging markets. The company offers farming loans to help farmers purchase essential inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, and crop insurance, along with access to expert consultations via mobile technology. By utilizing agronomic machine learning and remote sensing, Apollo tailors its services to individual farmers, assessing credit risk and customizing packages based on satellite and soil data, as well as crop yield models. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of farming practices but also aims to significantly increase yields and profits for farmers.

M-KOPA

Venture Round in 2022
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.

Liquid Telecom

Funding Round in 2020
Liquid Telecom is an independent data, voice, and IP provider that commits to build a digital future. Liquid Telecom has built Africa’s largest single fibre network, currently stretching over 18,000km across Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho and South Africa. The award-winning Pan-African fibre network covers Africa’s fastest growing economies, where no fixed network has existed before.

Mettle.net

Debt Financing in 2020
Mettle.net, established in 1995 and based in Bellville, South Africa, operates as a specialist financial services company offering a diverse range of financial solutions. The company provides asset-backed short-term lending, debtor finance, working capital finance, and corporate finance, catering to international corporates, small and medium enterprises, and individual clients across South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and the United Kingdom. In addition to traditional lending services, Mettle.net is involved in fintech and solar energy sectors, specifically through Mettle Solar Investments, which designs and finances commercial and industrial solar photovoltaic systems. The company is recognized for its innovative approach to financial structuring and advisory services, ensuring tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of its clientele.

Liquid Telecom

Funding Round in 2018
Liquid Telecom is an independent data, voice, and IP provider that commits to build a digital future. Liquid Telecom has built Africa’s largest single fibre network, currently stretching over 18,000km across Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho and South Africa. The award-winning Pan-African fibre network covers Africa’s fastest growing economies, where no fixed network has existed before.

M-KOPA

Venture Round in 2018
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.

M-KOPA

Series D in 2017
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.

M-KOPA

Debt Financing in 2017
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.

Africa Logistic Properties

Venture Round in 2017
Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) is the first integrated property investment and development property company dedicated to the modern grade-A logistics and industrial sector in Africa. Based in Nairobi, the management team includes senior property professionals with 20 years of industrial investment experience in emerging markets. ALP is backed by global institutional investors.

M-KOPA

Series D in 2016
M-KOPA Kenya Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, specializes in developing and marketing solar home systems designed for off-grid customers. The company offers a range of solar products, including systems equipped with lights, phone charging capabilities, and solar-powered radios. M-KOPA began commercial operations in Kenya in 2012 and has since expanded its services to Uganda and Tanzania. The company operates through a network of over 1,000 retail agents and shops, employing a team of more than 500 staff. M-KOPA is recognized for its innovative "pay-as-you-go" energy services, which leverage a proprietary technology platform that integrates mobile payments and asset financing, facilitating access to affordable energy solutions for underserved communities. The firm is also exploring opportunities to license its technology to reputable partners in markets beyond East Africa.

ARM Cement Ltd.

Venture Round in 2016
ARM CEMENT LTD is a Kenya-based cement manufacturer company. It also manufactures sodium silicate, lime, industrial minerals, formulated fertilizers and special building products in east and southern Africa. The Company is also engaged in mining and processing of industrial minerals and chemicals, trading in other building products and the sale of fertilizers. The Company operates through the Cement and lime and Other products segments.

Akiira Geothermal

Venture Round in 2016
Akiira Geothermal Limited operates as a geothermal exploration and power plant development project. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Globeleq

Private Equity Round in 2015
Globeleq Generation Limited develops, builds, and operates renewable power projects in Africa and the Americas. It operates a portfolio of natural gas, solar, wind, HFO, and fuel oil power generation assets. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in London, United Kingdom with regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Cape Town, South Africa; and Doula, Cameroon.
Bridge International Academies operates primary schools focused on providing education to underprivileged children. Founded in 2007 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, the organization offers services that align with national curricula and emphasizes comprehensive teacher training and development programs. Utilizing advanced wireless technology, Bridge International Academies aims to deliver quality education at no cost to students, fostering opportunities for a brighter future for those in underserved communities.

Globeleq

Private Equity Round in 2001
Globeleq Generation Limited develops, builds, and operates renewable power projects in Africa and the Americas. It operates a portfolio of natural gas, solar, wind, HFO, and fuel oil power generation assets. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in London, United Kingdom with regional offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Cape Town, South Africa; and Doula, Cameroon.