Top 5 infrastructure investment opportunities in Africa

"The 'Top 5 public private partnership opportunities in Africa' highlighted the best countries for PPPs in Africa. This article examines the best countries for infrastructure investment, if we assume all things to be equal in each country’s PPP system...."

http://www.frontiermarketnetwork.com/article/5714-top-5-infrastructure-investment-opportunities-in-africa?utm_campaign=FMINTEL%20Twitter&utm_content=6615058&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter#.U-OTymOdvap

Unique Venture Capital

About Us
Unique Venture Capital Management Company Limited, is an SME-focused private Venture Capital investment firm established in 2004 by 5 major Nigerian banks.
We aim to:                   Provide ''smart'' private equity and business finance to SMEs.            Encourage innovative Emerging Market entrepreneurs.            Boost economic growth in UVC’s operational area. Vision: Unleashing the power of Emerging Market Entrepreneurs for positive development. Strategic Intent:   Capitalising Economic Development by harnessing the power of Venture Capital / Private Equity financing in the development of African Entrepreneurs to achieving triple bottom line enterprises, whilst creating value for our stakeholders.   The Fund UVC was primarily conceived to manage, amongst other funds, the funds set aside by its owner institutions under the Nigerian SMEEIS scheme and application of the fund is strictly in adherence to the SMEEIS guidelines. UVC realises this obligation through the “UVC SMEEIS Fund”. UVC, the company, has now moved a notch up to add on and manage other VC funds. Currently, UVC manages: A. UVC SMEEIS funds Overview Target Fund Size : N6 billion Commitments Target Investment Size                        : Up to N200 million Typical Equity Ownership                  : Up to 40% Minimum Investment Return              : 30% Geographic Focus                                 : Nigeria Sector Focus                                       : General, but excludes trading and financial services Real Sector (60%), Services (30%), Microfinance (10%) Governance Structure                          : Board of Advisory Committee comprising recognised institutional shareholders Board Investment Committee comprising the Chairmen/CEO of our investor companies Investment Types : Early stage (Start-up to first-stage) Expansion financing Acquisition and Management buy-outs Investment Criteria : Companies with captive markets and sustainable growth in per capita consumption Emerging and high growth industries Investments with Keiretsu fit to our portfolio companies Possible high export opportunities Possible multiplier-effect and SME spin-offs B. West Africa Venture Funds (WAVF)   Overview     The Fund : West Africa Venture Fund LLC Region : Liberia and Sierra Leone Term : 10 Years Fund Size : US$40million Investment Size : US$100,000 – US$500,000 Target Returns : 20 – 30% Sector Focus : : General, all commercial sectors not in the IFC/World Bank exclusion list. Governance Structure : Investment Committee comprising at least five members constituted by the General Partner Advisory Board comprising at least five members constituted by the Limited partners Core Values Professionalism Integrity Empathy Core Purpose UVC aims to be the frontrunner in the provision of Venture Capital to small and medium–sized enterprises in West Africa by leveraging on the strong heritage of our owner institutions to deploy an on-ground local experience-based strategy, building a world class team and operating within the highest professional and ethical standards to deliver attractive triple bottom line returns to our clients and investors.  http://www.uvcmc.com/our_company.htm

Oiko Credit

Oikocredit is a worldwide cooperative and social investor, providing funding to the microfinance sector, fair trade organizations, cooperatives and small to medium enterprises.

Loans

Over the years, we’ve developed a range of financial products that can be tailored to meet the needs of each specific partner.

We give loans instead of grants as we believe that loans are more effective for achieving economic productivity. Loans create a real business partnership based on mutual respect.

Credit lines

We provide credit lines which are generally shorter term, more flexible loan arrangements. For example, if a borrower requires working capital for a few months within a year.

Interest is paid only on the amounts drawn down at any one point. A 1% maintenance fee is paid on the total approved amount of the credit line.

Equity investments

Oikocredit has a diverse and growing portfolio of equity investments. We invest in equities for dual returns: development impact (social performance) and capital gains. Oikocredit equity investments seek to collaborate with companies that are aligned in bringing people out of poverty.

When we invest in a company, our aim is to assist that company in becoming stronger and more effective in reaching its goals to the benefit of stakeholders and intended beneficiaries. This means that Oikocredit has an active role in the governance of investee companies and makes sure that we add value to them. This includes providing advice and contacts, offering technical assistance where appropriate and making sure that the company complies with environmental, social and governance requirements.

If there is a sound balance between the company’s social, financial and environmental objectives, this usually adds to the value of the company. 

Long-term investment horizon

Our equity investments have a long-term investment horizon, are demand-driven and flexible, and can range from € 50,000 to € 5 million. We can provide equity or quasi-equity (including convertible debt) tailored to meet the needs of potential investee institutions.

Our equity partners are often looking for strong institutional shareholders which:

• share their mission and values
• bring expertise and insight to the organization
• focus on social as well as financial returns...."

http://www.oikocredit.coop/ 

MBO Capital Management

"Our Business

MBO Capital is a private equity firm that invests in small to medium-sized companies across a chosen range of industry sectors. Our firm provides early stage and expansion capital to companies that want to accelerate growth and build exceptional shareholder value in partnership with an experienced and knowledgeable investor.

At MBO Capital, we believe that private equity investment is the most viable source of not only the much needed financial capital for small to medium-sized companies, but also the human resource and value add expertise to strengthen management capacity. By providing early stage and expansion capital to these companies, we enable them to accelerate growth and build exceptional value. We also leverage on our local experience to provide strategic and management support to these companies, enhancing their post-investment value and earning superior returns for our investors.

MBO Capital's uniqueness in this regard is in the expertise of its team whose knowledge of the local business environment and extensive network of contacts both within Nigeria and other Anglophone West African countries is enviable.

We also take great pride in our management professionalism and integrity.

Our Focus

Our goal is to assist all our clients to build sustainable businesses through our investment of both financial and intellectual capital. We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs across Anglophone West Africa who own businesses that are both viable and have a proven track record. Over the next 10 years we plan to invest over US$250m in unlisted small to medium sized companies operating across a number of sectors with our prime focus sectors being Energy, FMCG, Technology and Financial Services sectors...."

https://www.mbocapital.com/about-mbo/ 

Alitheia

"Alitheia invests in companies that are leveraging innovative business models to address the needs of the working class in a sustainable manner. In general, we look for early to growth stage companies operating in Nigeria or other West African countries, backed by strong management teams, with high growth potential. Our target investment sectors include financial services, clean energy and housing...."

 http://www.thealitheia.com/

African Capital Alliance

"African Capital Alliance (ACA) is a leading independent investment firm focusing on Nigeria and the broader West African region. Formed in 1997, ACA has, to date, obtained aggregate capital commitments of over $750m across several funds raised from its offices in Lagos, Nigeria. ACA has a proven track record of successfully exiting investments and delivering strong returns to investors. ACA is currently investing out of its third fund Capital Alliance Private Equity III (CAPE III), a $400 million private equity fund and the Capital Alliance Property Investment Company (CAPIC), a $165m real estate fund...."

 http://www.acagp.com/index.php