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.

Black Sheep Capital LLC (BSC) is a diversified capital raising and investment advisory firm headquartered in Sharjah Media City, UAE. The firm specializes in providing alternative investment and capital raising solutions to a diverse clientele, including governments, corporations, and private individuals. Their offerings encompass a broad range of services, from mineral assets acquisition and advisory on alternative investments to project finance across various sectors.Through its subsidiaries, Black Sheep Capital extends its reach into specialized areas. BSC Capital focuses on project and structured finance, leveraging a network of international financiers, private equity firms, wealth management experts, and venture capital companies. Key project finance areas include agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, real estate, energy, and healthcare. BSC Mining is dedicated to developing, constructing, and managing gold and chrome plants throughout Africa, supported by a qualified workshop in South Africa for equipment build and maintenance.The firm's portfolio also includes BSC Assets, which provides brokerage services for precious mineral assets, and BSC Bullion, offering investors access to various bullion types with comprehensive insurance and vaulting services. Furthermore, BSC Media & Sport represents a promising division that invests in startups and established companies within app development, game development, online marketing, telecommunications, new brands (clothing, food, energy, shoes, sports equipment), and individual and sporting club management. Black Sheep Capital has conducted investment advisory work in several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, as well as Dubai and Seychelles, demonstrating a commitment to socio-economic transformation and sustainable development in these regions.While the firm's website details its operational scope and subsidiaries, specific information regarding its founding story, individual founders, or a comprehensive list of external portfolio companies beyond its internal divisions is not publicly available. Similarly, details about the broader team's expertise and background are not explicitly provided on their website.

E Squared Investments is a South African impact investor operating within the venture capital and private equity sectors. The firm is dedicated to empowering responsible entrepreneurs by investing in high-growth businesses, fund managers, and social enterprises. Their core mission is to deliver both commercial returns and measurable social outcomes, contributing to economic development and transformation in South Africa.The firm's origins trace back to the vision of the late Dr. Allan Gray, who recognized his societal responsibility. E Squared was founded and launched in 2007 as an Allan Gray BEE partner, with funding activities commencing in 2017. They employ a multi-faceted approach, including direct investments, a Fund of Funds strategy, and comprehensive post-investment support to foster sustainable growth and impact.E Squared's portfolio is diverse, spanning various sectors and backing visionary founders. Notable investments include companies like Alignd, Altera Biosciences, Regenize, GoMetro, Khula, WeThinkCode_, Zaio, Pele Energy Group, Havaic, and TFLCo. The firm actively supports enterprises that generate sustainable commercial value, address transformation, economic development, and social change, and tackle unemployment and inequality within South Africa.The leadership team at E Squared brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, investing, operations, and governance across venture capital, private equity, and impact investing. Key team members include Gladwyn Leeuw (CEO), and Trustees such as Rob Dower, Ntebo Nkoenyane, Nadya Bhettay, Zipho Sikhakhane, and Lungile Mdluli, who also serves as the Board Chair.

Finnfund is a Finnish development financier and impact investor dedicated to fostering a more sustainable future by investing in businesses that address global development challenges. The firm provides risk capital, long-term investment loans, and mezzanine financing, along with expertise, to private sector projects in developing countries as defined by the OECD/DAC. Finnfund's strategic focus areas include digital infrastructure and solutions, clean energy, sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture, and financial institutions. The firm emphasizes investments that generate measurable development impacts, such as job creation, climate action, gender equality, and human rights.Established in 1980, Finnfund was founded by the Finnish government to support Finnish businesses in their investment endeavors within developing nations. It operates as a state-owned company, with the Finnish State holding the majority ownership (96.64%), alongside Finnvera (3.30%) and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (0.06%). Finnfund's profits are reinvested into new projects that further sustainable development, reflecting its long-term mandate and commitment to development finance.Finnfund's diverse portfolio includes notable investments across various sectors and regions. Examples include Zain Group in telecommunications, d light and Indifi for financial services, Access Bank, and Wave Systems, a unicorn in cross-border money transfers. The firm has also supported companies like Ecofy in digital financing for green transition in India, CIM Santé Group in Moroccan healthcare, EthioChicken for food security, JUMO for mobile financial services, and Miro Forestry for sustainable plantation forestry in West Africa. Other investments span microfinance institutions like Bailyk Finance in Kyrgyzstan and Oasis Credit in Uzbekistan, and digital access initiatives in Latin America.The Finnfund team comprises approximately 100 experts specializing in finance, development impact, corporate responsibility, legal affairs, and administration. These professionals are based in the firm's headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, and its regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, enabling them to operate effectively across developing countries worldwide. Their collective expertise is crucial in identifying, evaluating, and supporting profitable and responsible businesses that align with Finnfund's mission to create lasting positive change.

Launch Africa Ventures is a prominent Pan-African venture capital firm dedicated to bridging the significant funding gap for Seed and pre-Series A technology startups across Africa. The firm employs a high-touch, high-scale approach to identify and support promising ventures across diverse sectors, including fintech, artificial intelligence, logistics, healthcare, e-commerce, edtech, climate tech, and agritech. Their investment strategy focuses on backing startups that address critical challenges and demonstrate strong market opportunities within the African continent, aiming to foster innovation and transform the region's economic landscape.The firm was co-founded in 2020 by Zachariah George and Janade Du Plessis, who have been pioneers in early-stage venture capital in Africa since 2014. George's background in investment banking and angel investing, combined with Du Plessis's expertise in entrepreneurship, research, and banking, laid the foundation for Launch Africa Ventures. Since its inception, the firm has rapidly grown, investing in over 150 startups across 22 African countries and establishing itself as one of the most active seed-stage VC funds on the continent.Launch Africa Ventures has built a diverse portfolio, with notable investments in companies such as Kuda, a neobank offering digital banking services in Nigeria; MarketForce, a B2B e-commerce retail platform in Kenya; and GOMYCODE, an edtech startup providing digital skills training in Tunisia. Other portfolio companies span various sectors, including financial software (Liquify, VaulFi), media (Baskett, Lounges.tv), and business/productivity software (Andela). The firm has also achieved successful exits with companies like Orcas, Kashat, and Baia, demonstrating its ability to generate returns for its investors.The Launch Africa Ventures team comprises experienced professionals with a deep understanding of the African market. Co-founders Zachariah George and Janade Du Plessis lead a diverse team that includes investment managers, portfolio associates, and a robust investment committee. This collective expertise enables the firm to provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to extensive global advisory networks and corporate distribution channels across Africa, thereby unlocking significant value for its portfolio companies.

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.

Samata Capital is an investment firm dedicated to making private sector investments in early-stage, scalable businesses across emerging markets, with a strong focus on East and West Africa. The firm employs a gender-lens approach, aiming to advance opportunities for women and promote gender diversity and inclusion within the entrepreneurial ecosystems it supports. Samata Capital provides both financial capital and strategic support, including access to business service networks, governance expertise, coaching, and advisory assistance, to help its portfolio companies achieve sustainable growth and amplify their impact.Founded in 2017 by Lisa G. Thomas, Samata Capital was established with the core principle of driving equitable and inclusive economic growth. The firm's name, "Samata," is a Bangla word meaning equality, reflecting its mission to ensure equal opportunities for both men and women to succeed. Lisa G. Thomas, the Founder and Managing Director, brings extensive experience in venture capital and private equity investing, particularly in emerging markets across Africa, Asia, and the Caucasus.Samata Capital targets high-growth industry segments including agribusiness, consumer products, financial services, healthcare, and technology. The firm's portfolio includes companies such as Neopenda, which arms health workers with life-saving technology in Kenya, and Uncover, a company revolutionizing women's self-care in Africa. Other portfolio interests include innovating needs-based medical technologies, manufacturing and distributing healthy snack foods in Nigeria, and driving the adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy in Ghana.The team at Samata Capital, led by Lisa G. Thomas, includes professionals like Tochi Okoronkwo (Senior Associate Fellow) and Kiendel Burritt (Venture Partner), along with an advisory board. The firm is committed to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into its business model and works with its portfolio companies to implement best practices, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals such as Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities.

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.