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.
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.
Absa Group Limited is a prominent financial services provider based in Johannesburg, South Africa, offering a diverse range of products and services both locally and internationally. The company specializes in personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, as well as wealth and investment management. Its offerings include residential property finance, vehicle and asset finance, credit cards, personal loans, and a variety of insurance products. Absa also provides commercial property finance, agricultural loans, and a suite of transactional banking options, including savings and investment services. Additionally, the bank offers investment banking services, private equity, and corporate banking products, along with life insurance and fiduciary services. Absa's commitment to serving individual, enterprise, and commercial customers is evident through its comprehensive financial solutions, which include treasury services and cash management. The company was previously known as Barclays Africa Group Limited before rebranding to Absa Group Limited in May 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.
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.
The Boardroom Africa, a recruiting company, provides female professionals that boards across the continent. The company provides training, placement, and development programme. The Boardroom Africa was founded in 2016 and is based in Ebene, Mauritius. The company has additional offices in Accra, Ghana and London, United Kingdom.
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 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 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 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.
FirstRand Bank Limited, based in Sandton, South Africa, offers a comprehensive range of banking, insurance, and investment services to retail, commercial, corporate, and public sector clients, both locally and across various African countries. The bank operates through three main divisions: First National Bank, which focuses on retail and commercial banking; Rand Merchant Bank, specializing in corporate and investment banking; and WesBank, which provides installment finance solutions. Its product offerings include various deposit accounts, mortgage and personal loans, credit and debit cards, insurance products, and investment services. Additionally, FirstRand Bank delivers advisory and financing solutions, asset-based finance, wealth management, and internet banking services, catering to a diverse clientele that includes individuals, small businesses, medium corporates, and government entities, as well as the agricultural sector.
Zambeef Products Plc is the largest integrated food processing and retailing company in Zambia. The Group is principally involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, edible oils, stock feed, and flour.
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.
14Trees is dedicated to accelerating the provision of affordable housing in Africa. They take construction innovations from the lab to the field, building affordable housing solutions with our bank & contractor partners.
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.
INT Towers Limited
Venture Round in 2015
INT Towers Limited owns and operates over 9,100 telecoms towers across seven regions in Nigeria. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the IHS Towers Group – the largest independent tower operator in Africa – which has a presence in Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda and Zambia.
Founded in 1910, Grindrod Limited is a logistics company based in South Africa. The firm provides freight logistics, shipping and financial services to its clients internationally.
Feronia Inc. is an agribusiness based in Vancouver, Canada, operating primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company manages three oil palm plantations and an arable farming operation, with its first plantation established in 1911. After acquiring its palm oil business in 2009, Feronia focused on revitalizing the plantations that were at risk of extinction. Through significant investment over the years, the company has stabilized its operations and aims to contribute positively and sustainably to the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Feronia specializes in the production of crude palm oil and palm kernel oil, positioning itself as a key player in the regional agribusiness sector.
Foresythe Farm
Private Equity Round in 2013
Foresythe Farm runs a breeding herd of circa 5,400 cattle in Zambia.
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.