CAMPEA Jury Panel votes Kuramo Capital as Central African Fund of the Year 2024

Cape Town, December 07, 2024  — The Central Africa Markets Private Equity Association (CAMPEA) is pleased to announce that Kuramo Capital Management has been named Central African Fund of the Year at the prestigious SuperReturn Africa GP Awards,  a regional category created in co-organisation and partnership with CAMPEA. The award recognizes excellence in investment management, innovation in adaptive capital allocation strategies, illustrative of measurable impact within Central Africa’s evolving private equity and venture capital landscape. Following a rigorous review and deliberation process, the CAMPEA Jury Committee unanimously selected Kuramo Capital Management for its outstanding performance, strong governance, and commitment to driving both financial returns and sustainable development in the region. This distinction recognizes Kuramo Capital’s strong track record in portfolio value creation, disciplined risk management, and ability to mobilize catalytic capital into Central Africa’s dynamic markets

Kuramo Capital’s win comes at a time when Central Africa is increasingly on the radar of domestic GPs who are tapping into pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and development finance institutions seeking diversification and long-term growth. Through its investments, Kuramo has supported scalable businesses in financial services, infrastructure, and consumer markets — driving both commercial returns and impact  outcomes. The firm’s investment strategy, combining local insight with global institutional standards, has positioned it as a leading allocator of capital in a region undergoing structural transformation.

“Kuramo Capital has demonstrated consistent leadership in navigating complex markets while unlocking opportunities that contribute to the region’s long-term growth story,” said Mr David van Djik, Member of the 2024 CAMPEA Jury Committee  and Head of the Boost Africa Technical Assistance Facility, part of a joint European Investment Bank and Africa Development Bank initiative to support and reinforce capacity building of fund management in Africa. “Kuramo’s ability to mobilize catalytic capital and align global investors with local opportunities sets a benchmark for excellence in Central Africa.”

The recognition underscores Kuramo Capital’s role as a leading multi-asset class investment platform in Africa, known for its deep regional expertise and disciplined investment approach. Through its regional portfolio dominated by its notable investment in Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), the firm has established itself as the largest employer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, thereby contributing to job creation, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development with tangible economic impact across the region.

“This award not only celebrates Kuramo Capital’s achievements in PHC but also demonstrates the increasing maturity and attractiveness of Central Africa as a destination for commercial fund-sourced private capital investment,” added Ms. Tania Eyanga, Founding Chair of the Central Africa Markets Private Equity Association and Member of the CAMPEA Jury Committee. “Kuramo Capital stands out for its rigorous approach to fund governance, capital deployment, and alignment with investor objectives. Their performance highlights the quality of opportunities within Central Africa and underscores the importance of disciplined capital stewardship in frontier markets.”

A History of Kuramo Investing Milestones in Plantations & Huileries du Congo (PHC)

Overview

• Kuramo Capital invested in Plantations et huileries du Congo – PHC in 2017,acquiring majority shareholding of 76% in 2020
• PHC is the second largest employer to Government in DRC with over 10,000 employees.

In 2020, Kuramo Capital, through its Africa-focused fund platform, assumed majority control of PHC, a century-old palm oil company in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the time, PHC faced severe operational and governance challenges. Kuramo stepped in with more than $200 million in investment capital to restructure operations, implement ESG reforms, and install a Congolese-led management team as a commitment to restructuring, transparency, and sustainability.

The results have been remarkable:

• PHC became profitable within three years, a testament to disciplined capital deployment and improved operational governance under Kuramo’s stewardship.

• The company now employs over 10,000 Congolese workers, making it one of the largest private-sector employers in the country.

• Beyond financial returns, Kuramo drove deep social impact, including building 23 schools (serving 10,000+ children) and providing healthcare to over 160,000 patients annually through hospitals and clinics operated by PHC.

• A fully Congolese leadership team now steers PHC, with headquarters and board oversight relocated to Kinshasa to reinforce local accountability.

• The company invested in healthcare (4 hospitals, 21 clinics/dispensaries) and education (23 schools, >10,000 students) for local communities.

• The turnaround has been hailed as a model of catalytic capital, blending strong financial performance with socio-economic development

“At Kuramo, we believe that investing in Africa means investing in its people. PHC exemplifies how patient capital, local partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability can unlock not just business success, but long-term socio-economic impact.

“We have invested in PHC because we believed that it was a great company that we could lead and enjoy the prosperity of the investment itself. We adopted a vision of shared prosperity for not only us the shareholders but all stakeholders. Today, the success of PHC is an example to the world on what Africa has to offer and it is our duty as Africans to strive for this growth in investments.”

“PHC’s impact goes far beyond industrial performance. It is a model of inclusive, community-driven development. Through PHC, we operate 4 hospitals, with 460 beds and record 160,000 consultations, offering free healthcare for all employees. We have built and renovated 40 public schools serving over 7,000 pupils and dug 72 water boreholes serving neighbouring villages. To us, it is all about this shared prosperity.” Wale Adeosun, Founder and Chairman of Kuramo Capital Management

Kuramo’s leadership in this investment was recognized at the Private Equity Africa Awards 2024, with CEO Wale Adeosun named Limited Partner Person of the Year, Africa.

As the regional industry body, CAMPEA is proud to spotlight such examples of investor excellence that demonstrate the potential of private equity to accelerate both economic growth and societal progress in Central Africa.

“Kuramo Capital’s oversight of PHC exemplifies the type of value creation, governance, and community-centered growth that CAMPEA seeks to promote across Central Africa,” said Ms. Tania Eyanga, CEO. “This is bonafide and emblematic example of catalytic capital in action — delivering returns while advancing sustainable development goals.”

Closing Note
As Central Africa’s investment landscape matures, CAMPEA is committed to fostering a disciplined, transparent, and impactful private capital ecosystem. By recognizing industry excellence, convening global and regional stakeholders, and advancing best practices, we continue to position the region as a destination for institutional capital.

By partnering with SuperReturn, the world’s largest private capital event series, CAMPEA reinforces its mission to highlight the achievements of fund managers that are shaping the investment landscape of Central Africa. The collaboration ensures that the region’s leading managers receive global visibility and recognition among institutional investors, development finance institutions, and fellow general partner. The Central African Fund of the Year Award is part of CAMPEA’s broader initiative to spotlight best-in-class fund managers while promoting standards of excellence in private equity and venture capital, part of its mission and commitment  to fostering transparency, growth, and global connectivity for our members and the industry at large.

We thank our LP, and GP, and corporate members for their commitment to building sustainable growth and creating long-term value in Central Africa. Together, we are not only deepening capital markets, but also demonstrating how private investment can be both impactful and profitable.

CAMPEA will continue to serve as your trusted platform for insight, connectivity, and industry leadership.

About CAMPEA
The Central Africa Markets Private Equity Association (CAMPEA) is the leading industry body representing private equity, venture capital, and private debt in Central Africa. CAMPEA serves as a platform for investors, fund managers, and ecosystem partners to collaborate, exchange knowledge, and drive transformative capital into the region’s most promising opportunities.

About Kuramo Capital Management

Kuramo is a leading Africa-focused third party fund manager and investment solutions provider with a multi-asset class strategy, dedicated to delivering superior returns while fostering sustainable economic growth across the Continent.