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.
The Avenue Group is dedicated to the provision of high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare. The Avenue Group includes the following companies; Avenue Hospital Avenue Healthcare Avenue Homecare Avenue Rescue Services.
Westfalia Fruit is a multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related processed products to international markets. Part of the Hans Merensky Holdings Group, Westfalia grows, sources and ripens, packs, processes and markets sustainably-grown avocados year round. Its vertically-integrated supply chain enables Westfalia to market quality fruit from across the globe.
WIOCC is revolutionising the delivery of high-capacity connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world. As a result, it is now widely recognised as Africa’s carriers’ carrier, offering a one stop-shop and end-to-end service between more than 30 African countries and the world’s key global financial and commercial centres. As a specialist in the wholesale market, WIOCC’s unique, flexible, bandwidth packages have been designed to enable carriers, mobile operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to take full advantage of Africa’s rapidly developing markets for fixed and mobile broadband and international corporate networking. WIOCC recognises that customers differ, and tailors many of its solutions to specific customer requirements.
Wave Mobile Money provides an app-based financial solution to save, transfer, and borrow money. Wave Mobile Money is on a mission to make Africa the first cashless continent. On a continent where less than 10% of the population has a bank account, Wave is building the first modern financial network — no account fees, instantly available, and accepted everywhere! It is building life-changing financial infrastructure. When mobile money succeeded in Kenya, it lifted about a million people out of poverty. And yet, over 10 years later, most Africans still lack access to affordable ways to save, transfer or borrow the money they need to build businesses or provide for their families. Wave is solving this problem by using technology to build a radically inclusive and extremely affordable financial network.
Gozem is a transport technology platform for Francophone West and Central Africa.
Equity Bank Kenya is a financial services provider headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the central bank of Kenya, the central bank, and national banking regulator. Equity Bank Kenya Limited was incorporated in 2014 as a result of the corporate restructure of Equity Group Holdings Limited.
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
TradeDepot Inc. develops a SaaS platform for FMCG distribution in Africa. It enables predictive trade intelligence to leapfrog the competition, real-time access to distributors' stock levels, receive bulk orders online, and auto-generate sales promotions to boost sales. It helps to connects with distributors, wholesalers and retailers online, on one platform. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria with additional office in Wilmington, Delaware.
WIOCC is revolutionising the delivery of high-capacity connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world. As a result, it is now widely recognised as Africa’s carriers’ carrier, offering a one stop-shop and end-to-end service between more than 30 African countries and the world’s key global financial and commercial centres. As a specialist in the wholesale market, WIOCC’s unique, flexible, bandwidth packages have been designed to enable carriers, mobile operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to take full advantage of Africa’s rapidly developing markets for fixed and mobile broadband and international corporate networking. WIOCC recognises that customers differ, and tailors many of its solutions to specific customer requirements.
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.
Equity BCDC offers retail, corporate and digital banking services.
Daystar Power specialises in providing solar power and energy efficiency solutions for businesses in the commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors that result in significant reduction of power costs, diesel consumption and pollution.
Adumo is a privately held independent payment service provider.
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.
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.
Union Bank of Nigeria Plc is a retail and commercial bank headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, with a history dating back to 1917. The bank offers a diverse range of financial products and services tailored for individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate clients, primarily within Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Its operations are organized into four main segments: Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, and Treasury. The bank provides essential services such as current and savings accounts, debit cards, and online and mobile banking. Additionally, it supports SMEs with specialized accounts, loans, and financial solutions, along with comprehensive offerings in cash management, trade finance, and agribusiness. Union Bank of Nigeria Plc operates as a subsidiary of Union Global Partners Limited.
Equity Bank Kenya is a financial services provider headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the central bank of Kenya, the central bank, and national banking regulator. Equity Bank Kenya Limited was incorporated in 2014 as a result of the corporate restructure of Equity Group Holdings Limited.
Access Bank provides banking products and services to individual and business customers in Ghana. It offers standard savings and current, access advantage, solo, and premier accounts. The company also provides online banking services that include ATM, online access, and point-of-sale terminal services; and bills payment and Western Union money transfer services.
NSIA operates in insurance, banking and finance, and real estate businesses. It provides life insurance products; and non-life insurance products, including automotive, home and property, transport, and personal accident. The company also offers checking accounts, savings accounts, term deposits, savings certificates, and bank assurance products; commercial loans, personal loans, mortgages, and leasing; other services, such as transfers, foreign exchange, asset management, electronic banking, and money transfers; and financial engineering, trading, asset management, product portfolio management, and finance research services.
Zenith Bank Plc, established in May 1990 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, is a leading commercial bank and the largest in the country by tier-1 capital. It became a public limited company in 2004 and is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. With a shareholder base of approximately one million, Zenith Bank operates over 500 branches across Nigeria. The bank has expanded its presence internationally, with subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Gambia, as well as a UK subsidiary, Zenith Bank (UK) Limited, which offers various financial services including asset management and trade finance. Zenith Bank also has representative offices in South Africa and China, and it aims to further extend its brand across other African countries and into European and Asian markets.
Grainpulse Limited offers collection, storage, processing, and loading of coffee, grains, and animal feed. The company also offers fertilizers blends. Grainpulse Limited was founded in 2002 and is based in Kampala, Uganda.
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
Sierra Rutile is a leading mineral sands company, operating world-class assets in Sierra Leone. Sierra Rutile is in the process of significantly expanding its core rutile production, with associated increases of zircon and ilmenite by-products. Sierra Rutile’s assets are located in the Republic of Sierra Leone and center on the world-class natural rutile deposit located in the Southwest of the country. The deposit has a JORC-compliant resource of over 600 million tonnes at 1.29% rutile (measured, indicated and inferred resource, as of February 2011, at a 0.8% cut-off grade), making it one of the largest natural rutile deposits in the world.
LulaLend is more than a company. It’s a belief in the power of small business, making a difference, building a better solution and striving for excellence. We work hard to empower businesses across South Africa with the funds they need to grow, and we have a great time doing it!
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.
BBS is a financial institution whose principal business is residential and commercial property finance. BBS mission is to provide affordable property finance and attractive investment returns through efficient utilization of resources in the spirit of teamwork for the benefit of our stakeholders. Our vision is to be the premier provider of property finance and attractive investment returns in Botswana.
Africa's Talking Ltd. is a Kenya-based information technology company that specializes in providing communication solutions tailored for the African market. Founded in 2010 by Eston Kimani and Samuel Gikandi, the company offers a range of services including bulk SMS, short codes, premium SMS, USSD, and MMS, catering to individuals, businesses, and developers. Its platform enables reliable two-way communication and integrates with various mobile providers across the continent. Africa's Talking also provides customized mobile messaging solutions, voice and premium voice channels, and mobile advertising. With a focus on enhancing the growth and use of information technology in Africa, the company supports developers through an API that allows for the connection of short codes and the sending of SMS messages. It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
Csquared, based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in building and operating metro fiber and Wi-Fi networks to enhance Internet connectivity for local providers. Established in 2013 from Google's Project Link, the company facilitates Internet service providers and mobile network operators in Uganda and Ghana, allowing them to deliver broadband and Wi-Fi services to homeowners, small businesses, and mobile users. By providing shared infrastructure, Csquared enables these providers to offer broadband at reduced costs, thereby expanding access to the Internet for a broader audience.
Zoona is a mobile technology company developing products such as money transfers, electronic voucher payments, and agent payments.
Britam is a diversified financial services group, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The group has interests across the Eastern and Southern Africa region. The company offers a wide range of financial products and services in Insurance, Asset management, Banking and Property. The product range includes: life, health and general insurance, pensions, unit trusts, investment planning, wealth management, off-shore investments, retirement planning, discretionary portfolio management, Property development and private Equity.
Mobisol GmbH, founded in 2010 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in developing and installing solar home systems to provide electricity to underserved low-income customers in developing nations. The company offers solutions that power LED lights, radios, mobile phones, and various household appliances, while also promoting productive use appliances. Mobisol's innovative approach combines solar energy with an affordable mobile payment plan, making it accessible for those living without electricity. The company emphasizes comprehensive customer service and utilizes remote monitoring technology to ensure reliable performance. With additional offices in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya, Mobisol operates as a subsidiary of ENGIE SA, focusing on delivering clean and affordable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.
Haltons Pharmacy is a brand created by Haltons Limited. It is a collection of pharmacists, investors and leaders passionate about delivering accessible and affordable pharmacy care of the highest quality to Kenyans in a dignified manner wherever they are. Haltons Pharmacy is a retail pharmacy chain dispensing prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical products. The company has retail outlets located mostly in high traffic residential estates capitalizing on volumes created by health care medicine prescribers to the average Kenyan consumer.
Zoona is a mobile technology company developing products such as money transfers, electronic voucher payments, and agent payments.
ADvTECH Limited operates in South Africa, focusing on education, training, and staff placement services. It comprises three main divisions: Schools, Tertiary, and Resourcing. The Schools division delivers pre-primary, primary, and secondary education, while the Tertiary division provides diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs through both face-to-face and distance learning formats. The Resourcing division specializes in staffing solutions, offering permanent, temporary, and contract placements across various sectors, including engineering, finance, and information technology. ADvTECH is headquartered in Sandton and plays a significant role in enhancing human capacity development in the private sector.
Private Equity Round in 2016
Lekela Power B.V. is a renewable energy generation platform that delivers utility scale wind and solar projects into commercial operation in Africa. The company currently develops, constructs, and operates a portfolio of projects in Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal. It provides renewable energy to consumers, such as government, utilities, and large-scale industrial consumers. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Lekela Power B.V. operates as a subsidiary of Mainstream Renewable Power Limited.
Hygeia is the West African provider of integrated healthcare. Hygeia began operating in 1986 at what has now become its flagship hospital, Lagoon Hospital Apapa, a multi-specialist tertiary facility in Lagos, Nigeria. Since then the company has expanded its business to include two further hospitals in the Ikeja and Victoria Island districts of Lagos as well as two subsidiaries operating in the Health Insurance market - Hygeia HMO (Health Management Organisation) and Hygeia Community Health Plan.
Hygeia HMO is a health maintenance organisation providing managed care to over 400,000 enrolees from over 250 corporate clients. Hygeia HMO works with a strong network of over 1,200 providers nationwide. Hygeia Community Health plan is a donor funded initiative that aims to improve access to quality healthcare for low income groups in Nigeria.
Tiger Resources Ltd is an Australian-based company focused on the discovery, development and exploration of high-grade copper/cobalt deposits in the world-renowned Katanga Copper Belt in the DRC.
Private Equity Round in 2015
Afrimax, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, started in 2010. We have built up the largest portfolio of 4G TD-LTE spectrum in a number of countries across Sub-Sahara African. We are now starting commercial operations in our licensed markets, bringing the Vodafone brand to new parts of Africa and providing world class products and services to over 220 million people in the Afrimax-Vodafone markets.
Roxgold Inc. is a Canadian gold mining company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties. The company holds a significant interest in the Yaramoko gold project, located in the Houndé greenstone belt of Burkina Faso, which encompasses approximately 200 square kilometers. Additionally, Roxgold owns the Séguéla gold project in Côte d'Ivoire, comprising 11 mineral exploration permits. The company also explores other properties, including the Houko, Solna, and Boussoura exploration sites in Burkina Faso. Roxgold's primary income is generated from gold sales, and it aims to advance its projects through various stages of development, from exploration to construction and potential disposal. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Roxgold is committed to the exploration and evaluation of its mineral assets.
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Zola Electric provides off-grid solar solutions primarily for African markets, focusing on Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. The company offers solar home kits that can be either leased or purchased, utilizing a pay-as-you-go micro-finance model that accommodates various income levels. By employing advanced solar, battery, and power electronics technology, Zola Electric delivers renewable energy systems tailored to the needs of individual households and businesses in rural communities. Since its inception in 2012, the company has powered over 180,000 homes and businesses. Formerly known as Off-Grid Electric Tanzania Limited, it rebranded to Zola Electric in July 2018 and has established its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. The company has garnered recognition through various awards and has attracted investment from notable firms, including Tesla and EDF.
Private Equity Round in 2014
Helios Towers Africa has operations in Ghana, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and a sister company in Nigeria. The number of mobile subscribers in Africa has increased from just 16 million people in 2000 to over 500 million today. Based on these growth levels and without an increase in the sharing of telecoms tower facilities, the number of towers in Africa will need to double from the current number of 75,000, a significant environmental impact.
Jabi Lake Mall is a prominent retail center located in Abuja, Nigeria, owned and operated by Actis Jabi Lake Mall Development Company Limited. The mall boasts 27,000 square meters of grade-A shopping space, providing a diverse range of shopping experiences for visitors. With its strategic location, Jabi Lake Mall serves as a key destination for both locals and tourists, featuring various retail outlets, dining options, and entertainment facilities. Its modern design and comprehensive amenities contribute to its status as a significant commercial hub in the region.
Seven Energy is an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas exploration, development, production and distribution company with a vision to be the leading supplier of gas to the domestic market for power generation and industrial consumption. Our objective is to exploit first mover advantage as a supplier to the domestic gas market in our core operating areas and to maximise shareholder value through sustainable long-term growth across the full value chain. Our business model is designed to capture the full value chain from upstream appraisal, development and production, to ownership of processing and distribution infrastructure and marketing to end users. This model is supported by an experienced management team, high standards of corporate governance and social responsibility and underpinned by a robust capital structure. Headquartered in Lagos and London, Seven Energy has an upstream reserves and resources base of in excess of 350 MMboe, midstream processing and distribution capacity of 200 MMcfpd and long-term gas sales agreements in place to supply over 1 Tcf of gas to the domestic market. In Nigeria, Seven Energy operates through its wholly-owned and principal subsidiaries, Septa Energy Nigeria and Accugas.
AB Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited is a foreign-owned financial institution located in Lagos, Nigeria, established in 2008. The bank specializes in providing a range of financial products and services tailored for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as clients within the lower income bracket. Its offerings include savings, current, and term deposit accounts, along with a diverse lending portfolio that features micro, small, and medium enterprise loans. As a subsidiary of Access Microfinance Holding AG, AB Microfinance Bank aims to support the financial needs of its customers by fostering economic development in Nigeria.
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.
Afrimax, which is headquartered in the Netherlands, started in 2010. We have built up the largest portfolio of 4G TD-LTE spectrum in a number of countries across Sub-Sahara African. We are now starting commercial operations in our licensed markets, bringing the Vodafone brand to new parts of Africa and providing world class products and services to over 220 million people in the Afrimax-Vodafone markets.
eleni LLC is a developer of commodity exchange platforms, focused on transforming markets in frontier regions of Africa. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the company specializes in building end-to-end exchange ecosystems that significantly impact the livelihoods of rural communities. It offers a comprehensive technology suite that includes various business applications for commodity markets, alongside essential services for implementing exchange projects. These services encompass legal and regulatory frameworks, warehouse receipt systems, electronic central depositories, automated clearinghouses, trade matching, and real-time mobile market data. Additionally, eleni manages logistics for delivery, membership, training, and certification, while ensuring market surveillance, compliance enforcement, and risk management. Through its initiatives, eleni aims to enhance accessibility to commodity exchanges, ultimately improving the economic conditions for millions in rural areas.
Tigo is an international telecommunications and media company headquartered in Accra, Ghana. It provides a range of services including cable, satellite, broadband, and e-commerce solutions. With a global presence, Tigo aims to deliver diverse media offerings to its customers, enhancing connectivity and access to information across various markets.
WaterHealth International, Inc. is dedicated to providing safe and affordable drinking water to millions globally. Operating primarily under the dr. water brand, the company utilizes a sustainable for-profit model to deliver purified water through various channels, including vending kiosks, delivery vehicles, and community water systems. With over 500 such systems established, WaterHealth has significantly impacted the clean water sector, particularly in India. The company also offers remediation and treatment solutions tailored for domestic, commercial, and industrial clients, ensuring that local water resources meet World Health Organization quality standards. Founded in 1995, WaterHealth International is headquartered in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Hyderabad, India; Accra, Ghana; and Ikeja, Nigeria.
NOVICA United, Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in providing a wide range of handmade accessories for both men and women. Established in 1998, the company collaborates with artisans from various countries, including Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Ghana, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Guatemala, to offer over 30,000 unique and limited edition products daily. Their product line includes women's accessories such as shawls, scarves, hats, gloves, and travel accessories, as well as men's items like cufflinks, wallets, and walking sticks. NOVICA aims to empower global artisans, connect consumers with their creations, and preserve traditional artistic practices for future generations.