Kuramo Capital Management (“Kuramo”), the leading Sub-Saharan Africa (“SSA”) focused investment management firm championing commercial capital to Africa, is delighted to announce that it has joined the 2X Collaborative, a global industry body launched by the G7 in 2018 to promote gender-focused investments. Kuramo will be the first indigenous African investment manager to join the 2X Collaborative.
For over a decade, Kuramo has been at the forefront of supporting and expanding the private investments landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa by catalyzing commercial capital to Africa, investing in exciting and innovative growth opportunities. With about $500 million in assets under management, Kuramo has invested in more than 200 companies through its diversified platform that includes investments in primary funds, direct/co- investments, and managed solutions.
“We remain committed to our mission of building fast-growing businesses that will add value and deliver risk-adjusted returns to our investors and partners, while empowering the communities we operate in with sustainable solutions,” says Kuramo Capital Founder and CEO, Wale Adeosun. The 2X Collaborative is building on the success of the 2X Challenge and its $15 billion commitment to mobilize even more capital towards women’s empowerment. Jessica Espinoza, CEO of the 2X Collaborative says, “The 2X Collaborative is excited to welcome Kuramo Capital Management among its members! As an investment management firm championing private commercial capital into emerging and frontier markets, Kuramo’s commitment to gender lens investing sends a strong signal to global capital markets. We look forward to collaborating with Kuramo Capital in unlocking the business case for gender-smart investments.”
The 2X Collaborative mission is aligned with Kuramo’s commitment to gender equality in Africa’s private equity and venture capital landscape. Kuramo is dedicated to making catalytic investments in women-owned businesses across key impact themes including financial inclusion; technology and innovation; sustainable agriculture; and access to essential services. The 2X partnership offers an opportunity to utilize innovative investment tools, access to peer learning and strategic opportunities for partnership. “We are excited to join the 2X Collaborative at such a critical time in Africa’s growth story. Women-led funds and businesses are experiencing significant challenges especially with access to critical funding sources. Our goal is to address this and ultimately expand the ecosystem by supporting women-owned and managed African private equity and venture capital funds. We look forward to collaborating with other investors on effective ways to mobilize capital and promote sustainable and inclusive economic empowerment across Africa,” says Faridah Usman, Head of the Gender Investing Initiative at Kuramo.
