Agriculture Private Equity Firms in Africa

Alitheia Capital is a pioneering impact-investing private equity and financial advisory firm headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The firm specializes in identifying and investing in high-potential businesses across Africa, operating with a philosophy of "true profit with a purpose." This approach involves deploying private capital into Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that not only generate financial returns but also address critical business, social, or environmental needs within their communities. Alitheia Capital manages over $250 million in assets across various funds, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent.Established in 2007 by Tokunboh Ishmael and Jumoke Akinwunmi, Alitheia Capital has been at the forefront of Africa's venture capital and private equity landscape for over two decades. Their inaugural fund launched in 2009, and since then, they have played a pivotal role in nurturing Africa's tech ecosystem, often as the first institutional investor in high-impact technology companies. The firm is particularly known for its flagship gender lens fund, Alitheia IDF, which boasts a portfolio exceeding USD 100 million and is recognized as the continent's premier and largest gender lens fund.Alitheia Capital's diverse portfolio includes investments in companies such as Lupiya, a Zambian Fintech firm; Hinckley Recycling, Nigeria's first registered e-waste recycler; OmniRetail, a B2B media and information services company; and Complete Farmer, an agribusiness venture. Other notable investments include Paga and MAX.Ng in the fintech and mobility sectors, Reelfruit and Psaltry International in agro-processing, Wemy in manufacturing, and SparkMeter in clean energy solutions. The firm also made an exit from Baobab Nigeria, a financial institution providing inclusive banking services.The team at Alitheia Capital comprises seasoned professionals with a diverse blend of investment prowess and occupational expertise. Key team members include Tokunboh Ishmael as Managing Partner, Yewande Adewusi as Chief Operating Officer, and several Investment Principals such as Oti Ilentamhen, Moyosore Babalola, and Oyindoubra Eghaghe. They provide both financial backing and strategic guidance to their investee companies, fostering long-term partnerships and implementing robust risk management practices. The firm's commitment to gender inclusion is evident in its proactive investments in women-led, women-focused, and women-serving businesses, aiming to drive social transformation and entrepreneurial innovation.

Moravia Capital is an independent placement agent firm and advisory group specializing in alternative assets, established in 2000. The firm offers comprehensive investment solutions, including private equity advisory, fund of fund management, asset management, and wealth management. They serve a diverse institutional and semi-professional investor base, including family offices, pension funds, asset managers, and business conglomerates, across the European Union, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. Moravia Capital positions itself as a partner to funds, focusing on expeditious fundraising through customized marketing strategies that introduce selected General Partners (GPs) to suitable institutional investors.The firm was founded in 2000 by Dr. Tomas Vrana along with two other partners. Dr. Vrana, a Managing Partner, leads the company's business development, global fundraising services, and corporate finance. He has advised over 100 private equity and investment funds, with a total value of approximately EUR 15 billion, on structuring and marketing. Emad Y. Al-Monayea, also a Managing Partner, oversees Moravia's investment banking activities, fundraising in the Middle East and Asia, and global investment services, bringing over 32 years of experience in investment and corporate finance. Dr. Philip Boigner, a Partner, supports private markets funds and global investment banking, having managed capital for sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and investment companies with combined assets under management exceeding $350 billion.Moravia Capital's investment focus is broad, covering multiple strategies and sectors. Through initiatives like the More-for-Africa (MOREFA) fund, they engage in growth equity investments in Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, and Consumer Empowerment. The firm emphasizes climate change, social impact education, and technology for future generations, aligning its investments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Food Security and Energy Transition. While Moravia Capital advises on significant capital, a specific firm-wide Assets Under Management (AUM) figure is not publicly disclosed.The team at Moravia Capital comprises highly qualified professionals with extensive experience in investment and corporate finance. Beyond the managing partners, the team includes partners, directors of investments, analysts, and an advisory board with diverse expertise spanning various sectors, including energy, engineering, and technology. This collective experience and global network enable Moravia Capital to provide tailored investment solutions and advisory services in private markets on a global scale.

Founded in 2005, New Forests Asset Management Pty Limited is a global investment manager dedicated to nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the firm manages a diversified portfolio that includes sustainable timber plantations, conservation areas, carbon and conservation finance projects, agriculture, timber processing, and infrastructure. As of 31 December 2024, New Forests has AUD 11.7 billion (USD 7.7 billion) in assets under management across over 4.3 million hectares of investments. New Forests' investment approach aims to generate shared prosperity for clients and the communities in which it operates, accelerating the transition to a sustainable future. The firm's strategies support the role of forests as nature-based solutions, provide sustainable wood fibre for the growing circular bioeconomy, and contribute to the sustainable development of regional economies and rural communities. Operating globally, New Forests has offices in Australia, Singapore, the United States, New Zealand, and Africa. The firm is a Certified B Corporation, reflecting its commitment to high social and environmental performance standards.

Oppenheimer Generations is a family office representing the global interests of the Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer family. Established in 2018, the firm operates as a diverse community of commercial ventures and not-for-profit organizations. Their core philosophy centers on investing in business, people, and the environment as a catalyst for sustainable development and growth, with a strong commitment to leaving the world better than they found it and building prosperous societies through focused engagement across various lands, cultures, and communities.The firm's investment focus is broad, encompassing sectors such as consumer goods, food and agriculture technology, business and productivity software, and educational and training services. They engage in various investment stages, including Seed and Series C rounds, and are actively seeking new investments. Oppenheimer Generations has demonstrated a commitment to impact investing, aligning their commercial activities with their philanthropic goals to foster positive societal and environmental outcomes.Notable investments by Oppenheimer Generations include companies like Growsari and BluLever Education. Growsari, a business/productivity software company, received a Series C investment in 2024, while BluLever Education also forms part of their portfolio. The firm often co-invests with other funds, indicating a collaborative approach to its investment strategy.The leadership of Oppenheimer Generations includes Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer, who bring extensive experience from their careers in prominent global corporations and their long-standing commitment to conservation and education. Jonathan Oppenheimer serves as Executive Chairman, actively involved in the family's commercial and philanthropic endeavors, while Nicky Oppenheimer, as Chairman, continues his legacy in environmental and conservation leadership, also supporting educational initiatives through the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust.

Ventures Platform is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm focused on identifying and supporting visionary technology startups across Africa. The firm has earned a strong reputation for its founder-first approach and commitment to fostering innovation in sectors critical to the continent's growth. With a presence across multiple African tech ecosystems, Ventures Platform plays a vital role in catalyzing change by backing high-impact entrepreneurs. The firm offers more than capital—it provides strategic support, mentorship, and access to a wide network of global and local partners. Ventures Platform invests in startups addressing real problems with scalable solutions in sectors like fintech, healthtech, agritech, and enterprise software. Its deep local expertise, combined with a global outlook, enables it to partner with companies that are reshaping industries and improving lives. Ventures Platform also actively advocates for tech policy reform and ecosystem development, recognizing the importance of a strong support structure for innovation to thrive. With a growing portfolio of successful startups, Ventures Platform continues to shape the future of African entrepreneurship and technology-led economic advancement.

YBA Kanoo Group is a prominent independent family-owned multinational conglomerate with a rich history spanning over 130 years. Established in 1890 in Bahrain as a trading and shipping business, the firm has evolved into a diversified entity with a significant presence across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Its overarching vision is to be a leading family investment holding company both regionally and globally, driven by a mission to deliver superior returns through strategic investments and active management of its portfolio companies. The group operates through various divisions, including Industrial & Energy, Logistics, Shipping, Travel, Real Estate, Global Investments, Ventures, and IT & Business Solutions.The firm's investment activities are primarily channeled through its 'Global Investments' and 'Kanoo Ventures' arms. Kanoo Ventures, founded in 2022, serves as the direct equity investing and partnering platform, focusing on the GCC region and expanding globally. It actively seeks opportunities aligned with key global themes such as sustainability and resource efficiency. The broader YBA Kanoo Group employs a hybrid investment model that combines direct securities trading with long-term strategic investments, emphasizing risk-adjusted asset allocation across its diverse portfolio.Kanoo Ventures has made notable investments across a range of sectors. Its portfolio includes companies like CorrosionRADAR, a provider of predictive corrosion monitoring solutions for industrial sectors, and Iyris, which focuses on horticulture technology. The firm has also invested in the financial services sector, partnering with Whampoa Group on the Digital Singapore Gulf Bank, and in healthcare with investments such as The Eye Infirmary. Other investments include Boston Oncology, Fetchr, and Retailo, demonstrating a broad interest in technology, industrials, consumer goods, and logistics.The investment team at YBA Kanoo Group is led by experienced professionals. Rebecca Hall serves as the CEO of Kanoo Ventures, while Sean Daykin is the CIO of Kanoo Global Investments. The broader team comprises a significant number of partners and principals, contributing to the firm's strategic investment decisions and active management of its diverse portfolio across various industries and geographies.