Unlocking Africa
Why Investing in “Boring” Companies Can Boost Employment and Economic Growth in Africa with Brendan Mullen artwork

Why Investing in “Boring” Companies Can Boost Employment and Economic Growth in Africa with Brendan Mullen

Unlocking Africa
E4052:01
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Episode #40 with Brendan Mullen, who is Co-founder and Managing Director at Secha Capital, a lower-market impact private equity fund in Southern Africa employing an Operator-Investor model and investing in traditional industries making the green economy, tech-enabled, and/or post-COVID transition. Secha was founded in 2017. Its first fund invested in ten South African companies, creating 300+ jobs with an average revenue growth of 12x. Its $50M second fund scales its Operator-Investor model into Southern Africa. What We Discuss With Brendan Mullen What differentiates Secha Capital from other private equity firms operating in Africa?You look for sectors in which South Africa can make use of local resources. Why is that?You concentrate on established Southern African companies in large, underserved, "boring" sectors rather than technology companies. What exactly do you mean by "boring" sectors?What is the significance of these boring sectors? What value do you think they add to the African economy?What are some of the challenges you've encountered in establishing funds dedicated to investing in African SMEs?And much more...Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notes Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Tourism in Africa Is Being Reinvented. A Bright Future for African Tourism with Yaa Ofori-Ansah? Make sure to check it out! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamu Connect with Brendan Mullen on LinkedIn at BrendanMullen, and @BrendanJMullen Many of the businesses unlocking opportunities in Africa don’t do it alone. If you’d like strategic support on entering or expanding across African markets, reach out to our partners ETK Group: www.etkgroup.co.uk info@etkgroup.co.uk

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