Enko Capital raises US$100 million at first close for its flagship private credit fund to fuel Africa’s economic growth
LONDON, Oct. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enko Capital, the Africa-focused alternative asset manager with US$1.3 billion in assets under management (AUM), today announced the first close of its impact focused private credit strategy (the Fund), raising US$100 million toward its target of US$150 million at final close, with a hard cap of US$200 million.
Investors in the first close include British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution; IFC, a member of the World Bank Group; SICOM Global Fund Limited; one of Africa’s leading asset managers; a European impact investor; alongside African pension funds and family offices.
The Fund provides US dollar-denominated private credit to mid-market companies across Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on established, cash-generating businesses in non-cyclical sectors such as agriculture, telecommunications, manufacturing, renewable energy, and financial services. By offering flexible, tailored financing to well-managed enterprises often underserved by traditional lenders, the Fund seeks to address the structural credit gap facing mid-sized African firms and to demonstrate the commercial potential of private credit on the continent.
Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive Officer at BII, said:
“Our commitment to the Enko Impact Credit Fund reflects BII’s belief in the commercial potential of private credit in Africa and its role in closing the financing gap for mid-sized businesses. By anchoring the fund’s first close, our aim is to send a strong signal to other investors, attract additional capital and help build a viable private credit market that supports businesses critical to economic growth in Africa.”
Alain Nkontchou, Managing Partner of Enko Capital, added:
“The successful first close of Enko’s flagship private credit strategy underscores growing investor confidence in Africa’s sustainable development through private credit. With the support of leading international institutional development and impact investors; and local partners, the Fund is strategically positioned to offer customised capital solutions to high-quality mid-market SMEs, unlocking growth, supporting job creation, and advancing sustainable development, while generating compelling risk-adjusted returns for our investors.
We are also proud that this marks the first investment under the partnership between BII and IFC, a collaboration that strengthens shared commitment to foster impactful, sustainable growth on the continent.”
Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries, IFC, said:
“Expanding access to finance for mid-sized companies is critical to accelerating inclusive growth across Africa. IFC’s support for the Enko Impact Credit Fund demonstrates IFC’s commitment to channelling longer tenor and flexible funding to African businesses for growth and job creation. Through this partnership, we will support businesses across a range of sectors, from agribusiness to telecoms, that are critical for sustained economic growth.”
About Enko Capital
Enko Capital is an Africa-focused asset management firm managing debt, private debt, equity and private equity investments across Africa. The firm manages $1.3 billion across its strategies. Enko offers a deep knowledge of the continent combined with best-in-class investment expertise. Enko seeks to deliver strong risk-adjusted absolute returns for its investors.
Website: https://enkocapital.com/
Contact:
nick.white@enkocapital.com
About British International Investment
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor. The organisation invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people’s lives and help protect the planet. BII’s work targets the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis, helping countries break free from aid dependency for good.
Between 2022-2026, at least 30 per cent of BII’s total new commitments by value will be in climate finance. BII is also a founding member of the 2X Challenge which has raised over $33.6 billion to empower women’s economic development. The company has investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion. For more information, visit: www.bii.co.uk | watch here. Follow British International Investment on LinkedIn, Bluesky and X.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a liveable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
