The Great Debate: Infrastructure Investing in SA vs the Rest of the Continent
29 June 2022 It’s a well-known fact that infrastructure investment is urgently needed across Africa, including in South Africa. The African Development Bank estimates that the continent’s infrastructure financing needs will be as much as $170 billion a year by 2025, with an estimated gap of around $100 billion a year. And in the private…
Read MorePositive outlook for the PE industry’s impact on SAs socioeconomic development
The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) recently hosted its first in-person private equity (PE) conference since before the pandemic hit our shores in early 2020. Over 400 local and international delegates attended the two-day event which took place at the beautiful Ashanti Estate in Paarl, Western Cape. Tanya van Lill, outgoing…
Read MoreMEDIA RELEASE| SAVCA APPOINTS TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) – the industry body for private equity and venture capital in Southern Africa –welcomes two new directors to its board, following the virtual SAVCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 7 October 2020. SAVCA CEO, Tanya van Lill says that the new appointees – Natalie…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE| SA PRIVATE EQUITY REMAINS FAVOURABLE RELATIVE TO LISTED MARKET
The latest RisCura-SAVCA South African Private Equity Performance Report reveals that the country’s private equity industry has again outperformed listed equity over the medium-term, as of December 2019. The 2019 fourth quarter report, which tracks a representative basket of private equity funds in South Africa, shows outperformance across all three listed benchmarks over the five-year…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE| PRIVATE EQUITY INDUSTRY WELL POSITIONED TO NAVIGATE COVID-19 CRISIS
After experiencing accelerated growth for the last three years, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to go deep into contractionary territory in 2020. Highlights from the SAVCA 2020 Private Equity Industry Survey, however, indicate that the private equity industry remained resilient in the face of weak macroeconomic circumstances during the 2019 calendar year, which bodes well for…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE: SAVCA CALLS FOR REGULATION 28 AMENDMENTS TO SUPPORT SA’s ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Private equity and venture capital funds (‘private equity’) play a unique function in the investment marketplace because they are actively involved in growing companies and their workforces. This differentiates private equity from hedge funds, collective investment schemes and other institutional investors, which generally play no active role in the strategic growth of companies. Despite this…
Read MorePrivate equity and venture capital industry pledges over 1 100 hours to assist SMMEs
April 07 2020: South African businesses are facing the battle of their lives. To ensure as many companies as possible survive the COVID-19 economic crisis, the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) has launched a small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) support platform in collaboration with is membership network, which consist of…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE: Policy interventions required to support SA companies in bridging the COVID-19 crisis
News of Edcon’s cash crisis and inability to pay suppliers is a clear warning of the serious economic damage the COVID-19 crisis is causing. Edcon has said it will work on a reopening strategy, but may fail to find a viable route without Government and other support. Edcon’s current position is not unique and will…
Read MoreThe SA venture capital and private equity industry responds to the Covid-19 crisis
The Covid-19 epidemic is an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. The private equity and venture capital industry manages R175-billion of investments in private companies, mostly small- and medium-sized businesses, on behalf of pension funds and other investors. We are at the front line of working with particularly small- and -medium sized companies to confront…
Read MoreThe fundamental role of Private Equity | INTO AFRICA May 2019 Edition
Private Equity has maintained its key role in Africa’s economic transformation and sustainable growth by supporting small-medium enterprises as well as promoting impact and sustainable investment in Africa. Private equity has also helped innovative and dynamic African companies achieve their ambition who may otherwise be limited only by a lack of capital and experience. Shelley…
Read MoreThe Role of Venture Capitalist (VC) in Driving Job Creation in South Africa | TechInAfrica
Last year, South Africa’s unemployment rate hit 27.1% which means there is a lot to gain from the venture capitalist (VC) industry. The venture capitalist industry does not only empower business development but also allows entrepreneurs to enhance their businesses as well as drive jobs creation and employment opportunities. This opinion made by the CEO…
Read MoreSAVCA 2017 Members' Directory
SAVCA 2017 Members’ Directory
Read MoreAfrica shifts from carbon market potential to delivery as CMAS 2026 opens in Kigali
African governments, development finance institutions and global climate leaders call for high-integrity markets, investment-ready projects and greater value for African communities. KIGALI, Rwanda, 14 October 2026 – Africa must move beyond carbon market potential towards delivery, building high-integrity, investable markets that attract long-term capital while protecting national climate priorities and ensuring greater value reaches African…
Read MoreInfinite Partners closes Core Equity Fund II at R2.8 billion
Successful final close reflects strong institutional backing for Infinite Partners’ disciplined investment strategy and focus on building 6th OCTOBER 2026, JOHANNESBURG: Infinite Partners (the “Firm”) has announced the final close of Infinite Partners Core Equity Fund II (the “Fund”), having secured R2.8 billion in capital, exceeding the target of R2.5 billion. This achievement marks an…
Read MoreSouth African venture capital is doubling down on fewer startups, and the exits are starting to pay
There is good news and awkward news in the latest count of Southern African venture capital, and which one you hear depends on whether you already have an investor. The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) says its members put R2.48 billion (about $153 million) into more than 200 funding rounds in…
Read MoreSouth Africa’s venture capital market faces a new challenge: finding investable deals
It’s rare to find complete quality data about the South African startup ecosystem. For that reason, when the South African Venture Capital Association (SAVCA) releases its findings, the ecosystem stops to pay attention. Last week, SAVCA released a landmark VC Survey 2026 that does more than just aggregate numbers; it provides a rigorous, clear-eyed map…
Read MoreCapitalworks Launches South African Private Equity Fund IV
Fund attracts strong local and international investor support for South African mid-market strategy Johannesburg, 29 June 2026 – Capitalworks, an independent alternative asset management firm focused on global emerging markets, today announced the launch of Capitalworks Private Equity Fund IV (CWPE IV), a South African-focused generalist private equity fund targeting total commitments of US$350 million,…
Read MoreFour infrastructure pillars set to define Africa’s next decade
While infrastructure remains one of Africa’s most compelling long-term investment themes, deployment has consistently lacked ambition. But the continent does not suffer from a lack of interest or capital, it faces a shortage of bankable, repeatable projects where risks are clearly understood and appropriately priced. This is according to Lungile Mashele, Sector Specialist for Energy…
Read MoreThe great debate: Private capital isn’t one asset class – or is it?
As private markets deepen in South Africa, capital allocators are increasingly consolidating mandates and seeking one-stop-shop managers, but this shift is raising concerns. Some question whether collapsing private capital into a single bucket erodes diversification and forces managers into areas outside their expertise, while others argue that South Africa’s transformation agenda demands separate allocations to…
Read MoreSAVCA Names Anusha Naidu as New CEO
The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) has appointed Anusha Naidu as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2026. Naidu brings over 20 years of high-impact experience in corporate finance, private capital markets, M&A advisory, ESG implementation, and financial services. She joins from her role as Corporate Finance and ESG…
Read MoreTech start-ups lead way for venture capital funding
For the third consecutive year, ICT-focused start-ups continued to attract the lion’s share of venture capital (VC), accounting for nearly two-thirds of total investment. This, as data shows Southern Africa’s VC sector closed off 2024 with R13.35 billion in active investments across 1 325 deals, according to the 2025 SAVCA VC Industry Survey. Conducted by…
Read MoreVenture capital sector hits R13.35bn with tech and health leading investment activity
Despite global economic uncertainties and constrained exit environments, Southern Africa’s venture capital (VC) sector closed off 2024 with a record R13.35 billion in active investments across 1 325 deals, up 24% year-on-year, according to the 2025 SAVCA VC Survey. Nicola Gubb, interim executive director of Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA), said…
Read MoreLaunching South Africa’s VC Model Investment Document Project
Johannesburg, South Africa, 20 July 2025 – In a landmark move to strengthen South Africa’s venture capital (VC) ecosystem, a new industry-led initiative has been launched to develop a suite of standardised legal documents tailored specifically for the local VC market. Spearheaded by a coalition of leading VC funds and legal professionals, the initiative aims…
Read MoreFinal call for nominations: 2025 SAVCA Industry Awards
This year, for the seventh consecutive time, the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) will celebrate the transformative power of private capital. The 2025 SAVCA Industry Awards ceremony, set to take place on 07 November, will once again set the benchmark for the best in local entrepreneurship and innovation; boosted by the…
Read MoreHow small businesses can become more attractive to private capital investment
By: Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) In a tough funding climate, many South African entrepreneurs might be wondering what they can do to make their businesses more appealing to investors. With signs of recovery in the venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) sectors, there is growing interest in scalable, well-governed…
Read MoreSAVCA CEO Departs the Organisation
We regrettably announce the departure of our Chief Executive Officer, Tshepiso Kobile, who will be pursuing new professional opportunities. The SAVCA Board extends its appreciation to her for her leadership during a pivotal period for the organisation and the broader private capital industry. Appointed during a time of transition, Tshepiso provided stability and strategic direction…
Read MoreScalar International and Mergence Investment Managers announce the launch of a $150 million private equity fund to finance clean energy and digital infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa
Key takeouts: Scalar International is one of only five fund managers chosen out of 66 as part of the 2024 cohort of the International Climate Finance Accelerator, a programme powered by Accelerating Impact. The Africa Decarbonisation Fund I, managed by Scalar and Mergence Investment Managers in partnership, will invest in energy-efficient / decarbonisation projects in…
Read MoreScaling up private sector-driven funding models for large infrastructure
In his 2025 Budget Speech, South Africa’s Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, identified infrastructure as a key pillar for the country’s growth strategy. He announced that over R1-trillion will be allocated to infrastructure spending over the next three years, emphasising the need for greater private sector participation and alternative financing solutions to accelerate delivery and improve…
Read MoreUS$1.5+ billion investment pipeline at Africa’s Green Economy Summit
AGES 2025: Building a climate resilient Africa – catalysing investment and innovation in the green and blue economies South Africa, 28 January 2025: Sanlam Investments is proud to sponsor Africa’s Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2025, scheduled to take place from 19-21 February 2025 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town. AGES is a…
Read MoreConnecting Africa’s Visionaries: Vuka Group’s Commitment to Transformative Green Projects
Vuka Group and Africa’s Green Economy Summit are spearheading efforts to boost Africa’s inclusive economic growth by connecting project owners with a global network of investors. This strategic initiative aims to accelerate vital projects, promoting sustainability and prosperity across the continent. Elodie Delagneau, Investment Lead at Vuka Group, emphasised the group’s success in linking ambitious…
Read MoreRMB Corvest and partners facilitate a MBO of Nampak Liquid Cartons
RMB Corvest, in partnership with Dlondlobala Capital, have concluded a successful management buyout of Nampak Liquid Cartons (a division of Nampak Products Ltd (“Nampak Products”)), Nampak Zambia and Nampak Malawi. Nampak Liquid Cartons is a separate business division under Nampak Products which manufactures, sells and supplies paper products used to package beverages, including Pure-Pak and…
Read More2024 in review: A transformative year for Southern African private capital
The Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) reflects on 2024 as a transformative period for the region’s private capital landscape, one that has – despite facing significant global economic challenges, seen Southern Africa’s private capital market delivering remarkable resilience. The global private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) landscape continues to face…
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