Andreas Schonning of Global Real Estate Institute speaks with Carlo Matta, CEO at Laurus Development Partners about the West African real estate market and how it will look like five years from now
Paris-based Amethis Finance stands out from the African private equity crowd. Its overwhelmingly private shareholder base is certainly a rarity in a universe heavily dependent on development finance institutions (DFIs), whilst the management team’s long-term dedication to the African continent has led them to design their very own investment and impact philosophy. We met with managing partner Luc Rigouzzo (pictured) in Cape Town to find out what that might be.
Actis, an emerging markets investor, focuses on investments in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The firm has a strong track record of backing high-quality businesses in Africa with over $3bn invested in 23 countries across the continent to date. AGF’s Anna Lyudvig speaks with David Cooke, Director at Actis, about the firm’s investment strategy in Africa, opportunities and challenges.
Despite the vast economic growth in Africa, the need for development impact on the continent is still huge. As the majority of Africans live below $8 a day, they struggle with existential challenges on a daily basis, including extreme poverty, hunger, disease and unemployment. Eytan Stibbe (top), Founding partner of Vital Capital, and David van Adelsberg (bottom), Chairman of Impact Capital Strategies, tell AGF how the fund is delivering both social and financial returns
AGF’s Anna Lyudvig sits down with Stuart Bradley, Senior Partner at Phatisa, to discuss ESG (environmental, social and governance) principals and how to apply them to a private equity portfolio
Africa Global Funds catches up with Yannick Lefang, Founder of SOKO Insight, an internet-based information platform that empowers business leaders and organizations with reliable data and actionable insights from Africa.
The Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM), the development finance institution of the Swiss Confederation and a cornerstone of Swiss development cooperation, aims to promote long-term, sustainable and broad-based growth in developing and emerging countries. SIFEM, which has around $600m and a 30% allocation to Africa, is advised by Obviam, a privately owned advisory group. AGF speaks with Andrea Heinzer, Chief Investment Officer and Partner at Obviam, about Africa strategy, private equity and recent deals.
While Africa’s large stocks of natural resources, growing private consumption, and surge in trade offer ripe opportunities for long-term investors, the continent is falling behind in sustainable development. Future economic growth in the region requires reliable and cost-efficient sources of power, a significant increase in the efficient use and re-use of water and waste resources, more efficient logistics, and much-enhanced agribusiness infrastructure. AGF catches up with Sulanji Siwale, Managing Director at Global Environment Fund and co-leader of the GEF Africa Growth Fund, to discuss how the asset manager is addressing those challenges.
XSML Capital is an independent private equity fund manager, with a focus on the Central African region. While building and managing funds for these markets, XSML, eXtra Small Medium Large, provides so much needed finance and management expertise to SMEs in post-conflict countries. The impact investor, which is managing the Central Africa SME Fund, is currently fundraising its second fund: the African Rivers Fund. AGF catches up with Jarl Heijstee, Managing Partner at XSML Capital, to discuss details.
Industry veteran Dr. Mark Mobius, Executive Chairman, Templeton Emerging Markets Group, Franklin Templeton Investments, has been investing in global emerging markets for more than 40 years. He joined Templeton in 1987 and currently directs the Templeton research team, which is based in 18 global emerging markets offices, and manages emerging markets portfolios including Africa. AGF sits down with Dr. Mobius to discuss his career, the Templeton Africa Fund and opportunities that he sees in the “Last Frontier”.
The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) is the government’s main instrument for combatting poverty through private sector development. Established by the Norwegian Parliament in 1997, Norfund provides risk capital to companies where businesses lack access to sufficient capital to develop and grow. At the end of 2014, the Fund had NOK9bn ($1.12bn) invested in Africa (72% of total investments). Africa Global Funds’ Anna Lyudvig sits down with Mark Davis, Head of Clean Energy Department at Norfund, to discuss why the renewable energy is of particular focus for Norfund.
Hendrik du Toit, Chief Executive Officer at Investec Asset Management, shares his thoughts on Africa, his asset management company and what excites him about African businesses
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, speaks with Africa Global Funds’ Anna Lyudvig about his tenure at the CBN, his book on Africa and his consulting and advisory firm
AGF catches up with Erika van der Merwe, CEO of the South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) to discuss the organisation, its role and private equity landscape in Southern Africa.
