Fidelity Capital Partners, a private equity fund manager and originally a member of the Fidelity Group, has rebranded to Jacana Partners, after a two year partnership with the London based pan-African SME private equity firm.
The fund will now combine Jacana’s international private equity experts with its experienced local teams, as it seeks to support entrepreneurs and build strong businesses in Africa.
Fidelity Capital Partners commenced business in 1999 and has about $32 million under management, $18 million of which has been invested to date in 14 companies in West Africa. It partnered with Jacana in 2010.
“Fidelity Capital Partners has achieved considerable success in the 15 years since it was founded, providing unparalleled expertise in financial management and capital provision to become one of West Africa’s leading private equity fund managers. I am delighted to see the business graduate from the Fidelity Group to Jacana….” said CEO of Fidelity Bank Group, Edward Effah in a statement.
Jacana has invested $20 million to date in 18 portfolio companies employing over 1,300 people. It currently operates in six markets in East and West Africa (Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda) and will look to expand into at least two new markets with the new fund.
“By rebranding our West African operations to Jacana, we are consolidating our brand in line with our business model; creating a truly balanced team of international experts and experienced local investment professionals operating under a single brand,” said Simon Merchant, CEO of Jacana.
Merchant added that Jacana is in the process of raising a new fund from international investors, which will enable us to significantly increase the scale and geographic reach of our
operations.
“ The fund will allow us to invest in SMEs in up to eight countries across East and West Africa, building successful businesses and delivering sustainable returns to our partner entrepreneurs, our investors and the communities we operate in.” said Merchant.
Jacana is looking for new companies to invest in and has advised entrepreneurs seeking long- term, flexible financing of between $1 and $5 million to support the growth of their business in West Africa to get in touch with the firm via the website.
Jacana Partners has also announced the appointment of a new board member, Dominic Adu, Co-Founder of Ghana Home Loans Limited.
