The 5 most popular stories on Africa Private Equity News the past week
Here are summaries of the five most widely read stories the past week on Africa Private Equity News.
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Here are summaries of the five most widely read stories the past week on Africa Private Equity News.
1. Aruwa Capital in $1.5m Nigerian safety footwear deal
Aruwa Capital Management has announced a $1.5 million investment in Yikodeen, a Nigeria-based manufacturer of safety and industrial footwear. Aruwa Capital was the sole investor in the round and completed the investment from its sophomore fund, Aruwa Capital Fund II.
Founded in 2016 by Yinka Atunde, Yikodeen is addressing a gap in Nigeria's safety footwear industry, traditionally dominated by imports. As one of the sole indigenous manufacturers licensed to supply safety footwear to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, Yikodeen has capitalised on the growing enforcement of local content regulations and the increasing demand for personal protective equipment in critical sectors. Yikodeen’s product portfolio includes safety boots, back to school shoes for children, active sportswear shoes and other fashion footwear. Read the full article
2. Silverbacks generates 5x return from Nigerian investment
Silverbacks Holdings has partially divested its stake in Nigeria’s Omniretail, a B2B commerce startup digitising informal retail supply chains.
The exit generated a multiple of five times initial cash invested. Read the full article
3. AfricInvest backs South African agtech platform Nile.ag
AfricInvest, through its Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, has led a R200 million (about $11.2 million) funding round for South Africa-based agri-tech platform Nile.ag. The round also included a co-investment from FMO and renewed backing from existing investor Platform Investment Partners.
Nile.ag started as a marketplace for fresh produce but has since grown into a broader digital platform serving farmers. It now offers inputs, financing and data tools that support the entire agricultural cycle – from ordering seeds and fertiliser to sourcing packaging post-harvest. Through banking partnerships, farmers can access financing, and sell their crops to local and international buyers via the platform, with the option of instant payment upon delivery. Read the full article
4. 4DX Ventures announces two new senior advisors
4DX Ventures, an African venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology companies, has announced the appointment of Mimi Alemayehou and Kurankye Sekyi-Otu as senior advisors.
Alemayehou and Sekyi-Otu will support 4DX's leadership team and portfolio founders, strengthening the firm's global network and providing strategic counsel and mentorship. Read the full article
5. South Africa: Climate Fund Managers invests in green ammonia project
The SA-H2 Fund, managed by Climate Fund Managers and Dutch development finance institution Invest International, has committed up to $20 million to complete the final stage of development of the Hive Hydrogen Coega Green Ammonia Project, South Africa’s first large-scale green ammonia production facility.
SA-H2 is a blended finance facility dedicated to accelerating South Africa’s energy transition and green hydrogen economy. The development funding will cover engineering, procurement and construction selection, front-end engineering and design and will also be put toward completion of the advanced stage permitting and environmental and social impact assessments leading to offtake finalisation, and financial close preparation. The agreement also secures the SA-H2 Fund’s right to participate in construction funding for up to $200 million. Financial close is targeted for H2 2026, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2029. Read the full article
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