Summit DayTuesday, 3 December 2024

Navigating choppy waters: how to make the deal flow in your favour. How can funds generate more interest from institutional investors against a backdrop of limited capital pools, tight monetary policy and threats to existing fund survival rates? Quality over quantity: what key areas have the most successful fund managers fine tuned to elevate their returns and improve sustainability? Why is a fund brand now more important than ever?

What are the key regulatory challenges faced by private capital firms operating in Africa and how can they be effectively managed? How can the fund administration process be streamlined in the context of portfolio accounting, reporting, technology and corporate governance? Which domiciles are top of the list for Africa and are funds looking beyond the usual suspects? How can firms ensure compliance, mitigate risks and maintain trust with regulators, investors and stakeholders when operating across different jurisdictions?

How is the current global economic downturn affecting investor confidence and risk appetite in African markets? What are the implications of major corporations reducing investment in developing markets and how can the region retain significant investment despite these setbacks? How can GPs align commercial success with impact objectives to attract broader institutional capital, demonstrate long term value and lower perceived risks? What new financial instruments are emerging to address evolving LP allocations and appetites?

How are recent trends in VC fundraising impacting investment opportunities in the African startup ecosystem? What does the VC exit environment look like and what changes will the next 5 years bring? What does an African company have to do to IPO internationally?

This workshop aims to address the challenges and opportunities faced by emerging managers in Africa’s private capital market. Participants will dive into crucial lessons on fundraising, sustaining operations and innovative strategies for market entry.

Key themes covered:

• Overview of the current landscape for emerging managers in Africa
• Insights on what makes an investor reluctant and keen to invest
• Ways to enter the market beyond the traditional playbook
• Getting on the same page: a discussion on evolving LP priorities in fundraising

Given the individualised approach of family offices, how can investment opportunities be effectively communicated to attract the interest and engagement of current and future generations? What are some successful examples of family office partnerships in Africa and what lessons can be learned from their experiences? What regulatory reforms or incentives could African governments implement to encourage greater participation from family offices in the continent’s investment landscape?

What are the key priorities for pension funds investing in Africa? What trends are most popular in terms of alignment with the needs and expectations of their members? What insights can be gleaned from the experiences of local pension funds investing in VC?

These case studies will present the best ways to connect two ecosystems seamlessly.

Topics explored:

• How to tackle the disconnect in valuation methodologies between VC and PE investors
• Successful examples of growth capital investments and their impact on company growth and development
• Leveraging strategic partnerships to address the investment gap

8 mins presentations followed by 10 mins Q&A once all are concluded

Unpacking the history of the PE fund framework. How has the market evolved in Africa regarding fund structuring and is the traditional PE fund model suitable for the continent? What are they key takeaways when addressing concerns around fund lifecycle lengths? What influences LPs to commit to a fund during its initial stages? With an emphasis on innovation in management fees and alternative structures, how are models such as PCVs and other systems emerging in Africa and how do they compare to the conventional setup?

What impact are self-liquidating instruments having on exit strategies in the African market? How are investors adapting to prolonged fund timelines? Analysing the implications for the ‘higher for longer’ interest rate environment on leverage, servicing costs and exits.