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Overview
SouthBridge Investments (SBI) was incorporated in 2020 as the investment and asset management arm of SouthBridge Group, a Pan-African advisory and investment company established in 2017. It was founded by Dr. Donald Kaberuka & Mr. Lionel Zinsou and led by preeminent and seasoned African professionals in the investment industry.

SBI is an impact-oriented firm that aims to provide extensive Pan-African investment services and directly manages a range of investment vehicles fully dedicated to African markets while advising partners and clients on investment issues and opportunities. Creating impact and value for stakeholders and making sustainable investments are at the core of its operations.

SBI activities include managing investment funds as a general partner or a co-general partner in joint ventures with other specialized firms, providing advisory services to other funds in the investment space, and crowding in investments from inside and outside Africa into specialized vehicles or strategic deals. SBI’s overarching goal is to be actively involved in the realization of African potential by channeling investments to unique opportunities and differentiating itself through specific features, including an unparalleled team with some of the most experienced professionals within the African investment industry, and an exceptional network in Africa and across the globe, premium access to deal flow in all regions of the continent, and a strong emphasis on creating value over the long-term.

Investment overview
SBI manages and advises investment vehicles crowding in debt, equity, or grant capital from institutional investors, HNWIs, DFIs, corporates, foundations, and sovereigns. SouthBridge Investments targets 4 key pillars of intervention:

People
SBI is focused on previously untapped areas of investing, such as SMEs and women. SMEs and women are the backbone of many economic and business activities in Africa. SBI believes that investing in commercially sustainable businesses truly contributes to the growth of local economic development.

Finance
SBI is convinced financial inclusion is at the core of African challenges, with 59% of unbanked, a $50 billion financing gap for women SMEs and African countries demographics driving the need of an increasing number of opportunities for young people.

Technology
SBI is using digital platforms to create digital footprint for SMEs. Cluster economies identified in Africa offer a unique business sphere for stimulating technological innovation, nurturing new start-ups, attracting investment, and generating socio-economic growth.

Climate resilience and adaptation
SBI’s ambition is to catalyze climate finance in African markets. Leapfrogging carbon-dependent infrastructure by building green and resilient infrastructure will allow to reconcile economic development with climate change mitigation and adaptation in African markets.

LEADERSHIP
Frannie Laeutier is the Senior Partner and CEO of SouthBridge Investments and has held senior positions at the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Frannie is a highly experienced and well-known finance and development expert with long-standing global experience leading and transforming organizations in the private, public, and not-for-profit spheres. She has held various leadership roles at The Trade and Development Bank (TDB) Group, including Vice Chair of the Board, Special Advisor to the President before becoming TDB’s first Chief Operating Officer. She also led the Asset Management business of TDB, including the recent launch of a unique product for trade finance in Africa.

She graduated from the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT) with a Master of Science in Transportation and a Ph.D. in Infrastructure Systems. She went on to work at the World Bank Group (WBG), where during her 15-year career, she held senior financial positions across the Group. Frannie served as Vice-President for nearly seven years of her tenure at the WBG. She was also Senior Vice President at the African Development Bank (AfDB).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: IN CHARGE OF SBI OVERALL STRATEGY & FINANCIAL SUPERVISION

 * Donald Kaberuka - Managing Partner, Former President of the African Development Bank.
 * Lionel Zinsou - Former CEO of PAI Partners.
 * Andrew Alli - Former CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation.
 * Frannie Leautier - Former VP and Chief of Staff of World Bank.
 * William Ediko - Board of Great Horn Investment Holding (GHIH),
 * Emeryc Kpenou - Leading SouthBridge carbon credit desk.
 * Hemal Naran - Investment Committee member at the World Health Organisation (WHO).
 * Charles Kié - Served as CEO of several banks in the past 15 years.
 * Fatoumata Ba - Current founder and Executive Chair of Janngo.
 * Isis Nyong'o - Current CEO and Founder of MumsVillage Director of Asphalt & Ink.

FURTHER READINGS

 * SBI and New African Capital Partners (NACP) announced the launch of their joint venture: SBNA.
 * SouthBridge Investments and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) announced a $2 billion blended finance mechanism to support locally led African restoration.
 * SouthBridge and BADEA: “A clean breathing chance to the earth.
 * Investing for Change in Africa.
 * Lionel Zinsou et Donald Kaberuka : tout ce qu’il faut savoir sur SouthBridge, leur banque d’affaires panafricaine.