We provide early-stage, risk-bearing capital to selected breakthrough firms that can strengthen financial markets in Africa.

FSD Africa Investments is the investment arm of FSD Africa. We seek out ambitious financial ventures with the potential to test and drive innovative models that can address market failures.

By providing proof of concept, we aim to crowd in private investors and drive the allocation of capital more effectively for financing the real economy.

Our investments are flexible and responsive, using different transaction structures and a mix of tools to disperse capital – including loans, guarantees and equity or quasi-equity. We have a high risk appetite, and seek financial returns as well as high development impact.

We focus our investments in three key development areas:

Access to finance

We invest in solutions that broaden access to finance for small firms, and to financial services for underserved communities.

Basic services

We invest in firms that, through innovative financial solutions, unlock access to affordable housing, clean energy, electricity, water and sanitation.

Capital markets

We invest in ventures that strengthen local currencies and remove barriers to capital raising for SMEs, providing low-risk, long-term finance to the real sector.