This report marks the first in a new series examining private capital landscapes across Africa's diverse regions. Focused on Southern Africa, this premier edition coincides with AVCA’s landmark 20th Annual Private Equity Conference and Venture Capital Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Agrigroupe Energy Holdings and its underlying investors acquired POWERX to facilitate renewable energy trading in South Africa as the market liberalized and opened up to new traders and emerging renewable IPPs. PowerX’s first mover advantage and unique regulatory status catalysed the development and trading of renewable power in South Africa. 

The investment into Visiosoft transforms infrastructure into reliably smart assets, resulting in intelligent utilisation of resources. This has enabled optimized use cases for energy and water management in both commercial and industrial sectors, alongside enhancements in safety measures.

Nature’s Nectar adopts an inclusive model for women beekeepers, aiming for 50% female participation. The company’s efforts also extend to increasing rural incomes and improving health and safety standards within the Zambian beekeeping community. By offering commercially designed hives known for their long-term sustainability, Nature’s Nectar contributes to reducing deforestation. The company’s initiatives are geared towards uplifting local communities, promoting self-sufficiency and positively influencing the wellbeing of residents in often overlooked areas. It also maintains a transparent supply chain with gender-wage equality across all levels.

The investment aims to significantly contribute to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by substantially increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix with a portfolio of 6GW of renewable energy assets by 2030.At the same time, it will contribute to achieving improved livelihoods through the provision of decent work and gender equality.

The investment focuses on growing the regional labour market, developing human capital, and solidifying the sector’s GDP contribution. It aims to improve the quality of Namibia’s hospitality to attract high-value, long-haul markets and diversify source markets for resilience. Additionally, it involves partnering with Namibian authorities to promote Namibia via Accor’s distribution platform and expertise, aiding in enhancing “Brand Namibia.”

Yellow is a specialised credit provider that enables consumers across five African markets to acquire small off-grid solar systems and smartphones. In 2023, CPDIF injected US$10mn in growth capital to fuel Yellow’s growth and enhance its geographic expansion. 

Founded in 1985, Tessara operated for many years with a single flagship product, Uvasys, the world’s first laminated SO2-generating sheet designed to protect table grapes from post-harvest decay. Since partnering with the Alterra team in 2018, Tessara has broadened its horizons, expanding its innovative solutions to include additional agricultural products (e.g., berries, flowers and tomatoes). Moreover, the company has achieved a significant milestone by developing and bringing to market another recyclable product.

A Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Sandboxes and Payment Service Providers

The company’s value proposition is centered around offering bespoke, tech-based talent solutions for the East African job market. Its online job portals, Ethiojobs, Dereja, and Kipawa, contribute to the efficient matching of employers with qualified candidates, thereby promoting a more dynamic and fair labour market.

This case study showcases Meridiam’s investment in Solarsen platform, which comprises 4 power plants located in Senegal, and explores the investor’s commitment to deliver positive impact by contributing towards SDG 7. SDG 7 has been one of Meridiam’s main pillars with investments in energy transition projects such as renewables being at the heart of the company’s investment strategy.

This case study highlights African Infrastructure Investment Managers’ investment in Starsight Energy, a leading Commercial & Industrial solar power supplier in Africa. Starsight Energy delivers comprehensive, end-to-end solar solutions that help businesses reduce annual energy costs, boost energy efficiency, and improve their carbon footprints.

This case study focuses on Adenia Partners’ investment in Red Lands Roses, a company that specializes in the production of premium roses in Kenya, and investigates how they are integrating ‘SDG 5 – Gender Equality’ into this. Adenia Partners is a private markets investment firm committed to responsible investing and a sustainable Africa. By creating stronger companies with quality jobs, fostering economic improvement, and elevating companies to meet ESG standards, Adenia is increasing the enterprise value for investors, while benefiting workers, communities, and companies in Africa.

This case study highlights Alitheia IDF’s investment in ReelFruit, a woman-owned agro-processing company in Nigeria that produces a range of retail packaged snacks, and showcases how they are integrating SDG 5 - Gender Equality into this investment. Alitheia IDF is the first and largest African gender-lens investment fund which seeks to increase and improve the financial and social outcomes of women by investing in a diversified portfolio of women-owned, womenled, or women-serving SMEs.

Herholdt’s is a family business established in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1964, whom successfully diversified into the distribution of solar energy installations. Impressed by the company’s growth and development impact potential, Adenia partnered with the second-generation family members, who had been running the business for more than 5 years, to buy out the founders.

This case study focuses on Verod Capital Management’s investment into schools in Nigeria via its portfolio company, Oreon Education Services, and how they are integrating ‘SDG 4 – Quality Education’ into this investment. Verod is a leading West African private equity investor seeking to partner with fast growing companies which have the potential to become large, dominant, and sustainable enterprises.

This case study focuses on BluePeak Private Capital Fund’s investment in Africure, a leading manufacturer and distributor of essential generic pharmaceutical products operating across more than 10 African countries, and investigates how they are integrating ‘SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing’ into this investment.

The second case study in this series focuses on Injaro Investments, and their commitment to building a world free of hunger through their investment in Ghanaian agribusiness, Agricare.

The first case study in this series focuses on the pan-African PE fund manager, Metier, and their commitment to building a world free of poverty through their investment in South African FMCG company, Nature’s Choice (Pty) Ltd.

Une version française du rapport « Private Equity & Venture Capital in Africa - Covid-19 Response Report » produite par Oxford Business Group (OBG) en collaboration avec l’African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA), a été publiée ce jour. Cette publication, fruit d’un partenariat entre OBG et HEC Paris, présente des données essentielles ainsi que des infographies relatives aux tendances actuelles et futures en matière de capital-investissement et capital-risque.

AVCA is pleased to announce the publication of the Spotlight on Southern Africa Private Equity. The report provides a summary of recent private equity transactions, exits and fundraising activity in the region. Our findings reveal that 341 PE deals were completed in the region between 2007 and 2014 with a combined value of US$6.7bn.