Catalysing investment in high impact African SMEs
Impact Capital Africa’s goal is to increase capital flow between impact investors and growth-focused Sub-Saharan African businesses – delivering clear commercial success as well as social and / or environmental returns.
We support the impact investment process end-to-end through our core business operations:
Proactive SME identification and technical assistance to achieve investment readiness
Supporting continued SME development through peer-to-peer collaboration and connection with vetted training programmes
Investor engagement and market knowledge
Facilitating SME / Investor introductions and support in engagement
Gathering SMEs, Investors, and ecosystem enablers at Impact Capital Africa conferences
Market analysis and advice
What makes us different
The ICA team is passionate about creating a self-sustaining investment ecosystem: supporting the growth of southern African SMEs that will contribute to economic resilience, and deliver social and environmental benefits, and financial returns. Collectively the team has over 35 years of experience working in Africa and in the impact sector, and leverages this experience and established networks to build relationships and nurture the African impact investment ecosystem.
Established in 2017, ICA has conducted multiple in-person and virtual events in Zambia and South Africa, with more planned for 2025 in other southern African target markets.
We have a strong network of global impact funders, including (governmental) donor agencies, DFIs, institutional financiers, private investors and fund managers.
Our approach
We leverage our collective experience and established networks to build relationships and nurture the southern African impact investment space, including:
Partnership with donors to identify, develop and support growth-focused SMEs as they become investment ready
Working with investors to help increase market understanding and providing access to a pipeline of investment-ready SMEs
Providing business ecosystems with insight and networking opportunities, as well as helping to map potential exit scenarios
Delivering value through expertise from lawyers, accountants, banks, investment advisors and other key players
Producing reports and analysis on key growth areas in the markets we serve, and keeping them front of mind for investors
Consulting
Looking for expertise, answers and solutions? We work to bring you great results.
With our depth of knowledge, experience and connections, the ICA team brings a practical and strongly analytical approach to understanding issues and solving problems. We have hands-on experience of working with growing businesses in emerging markets, local and international impact investors as well as donor programmes and members of the broader investment ecosystem.
The ICA team offers a bespoke, flexible consultancy service to help you achieve great results. If you have a project that would benefit from our skills and know-how, get in touch.
Services we offer
Programme design
For many development programmes looking to support emerging economies, the issue of how to help companies grow and to access finance is a new challenge, but is key to successful outcomes. The ICA team has experience in identifying and developing funding channels, and we have the skills and knowledge to help you design and shape effective programmes that deliver sustainable results.
Market assessment, studies and analysis
The ICA team has extensive private sector management experience and understanding, as well as strong analytical skills. With extensive networks in the broader business and investment ecosystem, we are perfectly placed to conduct bespoke research and analysis on a wide range of aspects concerning the development of business and investment ecosystems in Africa.
We are well equipped to design and deliver research, market assessment and studies, both quantitative and qualitative, that meet your specific needs. We work with donor programmes, NGOs, investors, companies and agencies looking for greater clarity and understanding.
Strategic advisory services
A strong strategy is a vital first step towards achieving your business goals. The ICA team works closely with clients to develop an informed, well-structured and long-term business development or investment strategy, based on a thorough grasp of the fundamentals and an evaluation of strategic options.
If your business is seeking to raise finance through impact investors, you will need a clear business plan and a well-developed impact strategy, building positive social and / or environmental impacts as an integral part of your business approach.
Market entry support and advisory services
For any investor, looking for investment opportunities in new markets is a time-consuming and risky business. The ICA team can help you understand market conditions and opportunities. Using our networks, we can link you to the people and organisations you need to know in order to make a market entry.
Similarly, if you are a business looking to break into new, emerging African markets we can use our knowledge of the marketplace to help to identify the best opportunities for market entry, acquisitions, JVs and partnerships.
If your business is seeking to raise finance through impact investors, you will need a clear business plan and a well-developed impact strategy, building positive social and / or environmental impacts as an integral part of your business approach.
Access to finance and deal structuring
Trying to navigate the investment process, especially for the first time, can be challenging when you are looking to secure financing for business growth. With our experience of working with businesses and investors, we are well placed to be able to help you make the right connections, support your decision-making, and structure the right deals.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) advisory
ICA supports clients in driving value creation through ESG practices.
A growing number of companies around the world are adopting and implementing a range of sustainability practices as a response to emerging challenges and stakeholder expectations across the environmental, social and governance (ESG) space. ICA has a long track record supporting clients in developing corporate ESG strategy, implementing ESG throughout operations, and liaising with investors to differentiate your business. ICA can support your company to:
- Develop a strategic focus on ESG, which can lead to financial outperformance across industries
- Promote good performance on material ESG issues
- Identify key ESG risks and opportunities
- Understand material ESG issues, which are promising signals for informing investment decisions based on ESG performance.
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