In a strategic partnership, Southbridge Investments and On.Capital have unveiled their visionary $100 million fund, strategically designed to fuel cleantech innovation across the African continent. This partnership represents a significant leap forward in advancing universal energy access and enhancing climate resilience, with a special focus on underserved regions. The collaboration leverages the collective expertise and resources of both firms, united by their commitment to driving innovative, sustainable energy solutions and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The Energy Go-Getters Fund, as it’s aptly named, will target investments across a spectrum of cleantech businesses, ranging from nascent startups with promising technologies to well-established companies poised for expansion. By harnessing the potential of clean and renewable energy sources, the fund aims to make substantial contributions to Africa’s sustainable development goals while delivering attractive returns for its investors.
Dr. Frannie Léautier, CEO of Southbridge Investments, emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, “We firmly believe that Africa holds vast potential in harnessing its renewable energy resources to meet its energy, employment, and carbon targets, ushering in a brighter and more sustainable future for its people. This joint venture with On.Capital not only underscores our commitment to responsible investing but also highlights our confidence in Africa’s potential as a global leader in the renewable and digital energy sector.”
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Emmanuel Beau, CEO of On.Capital and founding Partner of Energy Access Ventures, a $90 million smart infrastructure fund, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Through the Energy Go-Getters Fund, we provide essential early-stage and scale-up equity to champions of energy access, particularly in underserved markets. As Go-Getters, we are on the ground, alongside our entrepreneurs, committed to overcoming new and challenging situations. We are determined to Go-Get universal access to energy done! We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Southbridge Investments, as we combine our resources and collective expertise to continue driving innovation, job creation, and environmental stewardship across the continent.”
Both Southbridge Investments and On.Capital have established themselves with a proven track record of successful investment strategies, value creation, and an unwavering commitment to responsible business practices. This joint venture solidifies their dedication to generating a positive impact through sustainable investments.
The launch of this dedicated fund management platform marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Southbridge Investments and On.Capital as they work together to accelerate Africa’s journey towards a more sustainable energy landscape.
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SouthBridge Investments (SBI) operates as the investment and asset management arm of SouthBridge Group, a Pan-African advisory and investment entity with operational hubs in Abidjan, Casablanca, Kigali, London, and Paris. The firm is helmed by a team of seasoned professionals, including founders Donald Kaberuka and Lionel Zinsou, along with CEO Frannie Leautier and COO Emeryc Kpenou.
SBI endeavors to deliver a uniquely Pan-African investment service imbued with on-the-ground operational experience. It directly manages a range of investment vehicles tailored for African markets and advises partners and clients on investment opportunities and issues across the continent.
SBI’s overarching mission is to actively participate in realizing Africa’s potential by channeling investments into distinctive opportunities. The firm sets itself apart with distinctive features, including an unparalleled team comprising some of the most seasoned professionals in the African investment industry, an exceptional network spanning Africa and the globe, premium access to deal flow across all regions of the continent, and an unwavering focus on long-term value creation.
Smart Capital for Peace and Prosperity On.Capital, headquartered in Paris, functions as an advisory, fundraising, and investment enterprise established with the goal of unleashing capital, talent, and innovation in frontier markets. Recognized as a Climate Champion for its efforts in climate resilience by the Boston Consulting Group for COP27, On.Capital has received support from the United Nations Environment Program Seed Capital Assistance Facility for fundraising efforts related to the Energy Go-Getters Fund. On.Capital specializes in smart infrastructure and responsible commodities for impact.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard