Pan - African private fairness manager , Exeo Capital , has announced the final close of their 2d food and agribusiness monetary fund , Agri - Vie Fund II , at US$ 146 million – record maturation of nearly 50 % on the size of the first store .

Herman Marais , Managing Partner at Exeo Capital , articulate that this growth is a testament to the rising self-confidence of long - term investor in both the plus class and Exeo ’s managerial track record . “ We are pleased with the extent to which investors in our first fund follow on in the s . Also encouraging is the bit of commercial investors who join the stock . This has helped to fetch the firm ’s assets under management to more than USD 300 m.

announce the final close , Marais note that the Fund had already completed five new minutes , ranging from aquaculture and beverages in South Africa to protein and packaging industry in East Africa . “ The new Fund was also instrumental in establishing one of the large summertime bloom export groups in the East African area , ” he adds .

These new minutes add to Exeo ’s already multi - sectoral investments in dairy farm , vegetable oils , appliance food and agri - input sector . “ The footprint of our portfolio company today sweep eight nation - Kenya ; Uganda ; Rwanda ; Tanzania ; Ethiopia ; Mozambique ; Zambia ; and South Africa . We ’re now looking at West Africa too , ” Marais says , referring to potential investment in Ghana and Ivory Coast .

When asked how Exeo selects companies to clothe in , Marais explains that the Exeo investment team searches out companies with a combining of growth potential and management know - how , and typically invests US$ 5 – 15 million . The monetary fund then actively works with the party founders and coach to realise the full potentiality of the business . “ This commonly focuses on overcoming the challenges around infrastructure , Department of Energy and routes to market in the come forth markets of Sub - Saharan Africa , ” he state .

He adds that Exeo is also monitoring attractive investiture opportunities alongside its traditional focus sphere of nutrient and agri . “ Having establish a step and networks in Sub - Sahara country over the retiring ten twelvemonth , our investing squad are uncover to opportunities in logistics , Fast - Moving Consumer Goods ( FMCG ) , business keep services , individual training and wellness care , ” Marais bestow .

need about the extent of business and investment failures in wide Sub - Sahara Africa , Marais says that this is typical of an issue market . “ Growth and growth is understandably move in the correct direction , but not always in a straight line . There has been extravagant hoopla in the past about the Africa report and many investor moved too fast , too soon , and were disappointed .

“ Our labor as farseeing - term investors is to discover established business with springy and vertically desegregate line of work models that can descale up comparatively tight . Our approach to finding these companies is on - the - land networking . We look for founders and management who are uncoerced to partner with us and who are at risk with us , who asseverate the high ethical standards , are strong on sustainability rule , and have a potent social licence . These are the companies that are more successful over the foresighted term , ” Marais concludes .

In South Africa , Exeo is partner in the fresh Fund by Kuhle Capital , a Negroid - owned investment group headed by Prof Wiseman Nkuhlu . Nkuhlu comment on the young Fund : “ We are majestic of our affiliation with this Fund and look ahead to puddle a contribution to the much - want development and translation of the solid food & agri sector in South Africa . ”

Marais add together that Bowmans allow legal funding to Exeo ’s upper-case letter raise while investment firm advisor Axonia Partners from Paris , France supported the fund set up subsequent to first close .

For more information : www.agrivie.comwww . EXEOcapital.com