Samantha Pokroy, founder and CEO of Sanari Capital
South African investment firm, Sanari Capital, has successfully landed R1.5 billion ($80 million) in its Sanari 3S Growth Fund. The company, led by women and a majority of black owners, has taken a significant step in supporting transformative investments across Africa as the continent’s private equity sector evolves.
The funding round featured prominent South African institutions such as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Alexforbes Investments, the 27four Black Business Growth Fund, Telkom Retirement Fund, and the Motor Industry Retirement Funds through RisCura, as well as the National Fund for Municipal Workers. New investors have also joined this coalition, emphasizing the confidence in Sanari’s strategic vision and investment capabilities
Sanari Capital focuses on mid-market investments, majorly serving founder-run, owner-managed, and family-owned businesses. These companies are known to have shown strong technological emphasis, innovation, and thematic or sectoral growth drivers.
The firm’s approcah to investment is allocating up to R250 million per business while focusing on scalability and geographic expansion. About 60% of its portfolio companies’s revenues came from hard-currency markets, an evidence of the firm’s export-oriented business models and presence beyond the country’s geographical boundaries.
Some of the fund’s portfolio includes four companies that are quintessential of its transformative ambitions. They are Edulife Group, an affordable schooling group, LightWare LiDAR, a producer of the world’s smallest and lightest LiDAR sensors, serving advanced technology markets, iiDENTIFii, a leading enterprise identity verification (IDV) company, and Energenic Holdings, a Pan-African energy solutions provider.
Sanari Capital CEO Samantha Pokroy believes the closing of the fund is a validation of the firm’s approach. “We are excited about this milestone and the vote of confidence in Sanari’s investment programme and strategy. With four investments already concluded and an exciting pipeline of opportunities covering all our investment themes, this capital enables the team to execute at pace. We are confident we will continue to see a positive impact, both on the ground and in the fund’s returns,” she said.
“We are continuously inspired by the compelling technology and innovation of South African businesses, which are in high demand beyond our borders,” said Moushmi Patel, Executive Director at Sanari Capital.
The firm’s insiders believe that these investments align with Sanari Capital’s “3S” approach, which emphasizes building businesses that are sustainable, scalable, and saleable. “We aim to unlock business potential through a combination of digital and human enablement,” noted Ofentse Pelle, Executive Director at Sanari Capital.
Sanari Capital does not only seek to bolster diversity and economic transformation. It also seeks to achieve financial, social and environmental returns. “The funding will play a pivotal role in promoting diversity, fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and delivering impactful results,” stated Sihle Gumede, Sanari Executive Director.
Sanari Capital has become a major player in Africa by the credentials of its commitment to transforming the private equity landscape in a bid to drive meaningful economic change in Africa. As the firm remains consistent with its investment strategy, it positions itself to make a seismic impact on the continent’s economy, showing the potential in private equity investments.
