Jaco Maritz

XSML Capital, an investor in small- and medium-sized businesses in Africa, has expanded its activities to Zambia.

OX Delivers utilises purpose-built electric trucks to transport goods across rural Rwanda.

Swiss entrepreneur Jérôme Lapaire spotted an opportunity for affordable eyeglasses in Africa. Today, Lapaire Glasses has a presence in several African countries and has raised millions of dollars in investment.

Victory Farms grows the tilapia species of fish in Lake Victoria in Kenya.

Kevin Conroy (middle), with Bature Brewery’s quality control supervisor, Peace Onwuchekwa (left), and head of brewing, Bayo Ijasan (right).

Investor Saskia van der Mast has spent nearly two decades at DOB Equity, an investment firm focused on East Africa. Having recently stepped down as c0-CEO, she spoke with How we made it in Africa editor-in-chief Jaco Maritz to discuss the investment lessons she has learned and share her insights on the region’s business environment.

Chisepo Chirwa is the founder and CEO of Bosso, an e-commerce platform for building materials in Zambia. Established in 2022, the company recently secured $400,000 in pre-seed funding from investors, including Launch Africa Ventures and Renew Capital. We asked Chirwa about his entrepreneurial journey and why he sees potential in the construction sector.

From left to right: Craig Irvine, group CEO of Irvine’s Africa; Brian Lever, chairman of AGT Foods; Désiré N’zi, CFO for Africa and the Middle East at Bühler Group; Marvin Nii Adom Armah, senior account manager at Farmerline; and moderator Bongani Bingwa.

Isaac Marshall, from Africa-focused investment firm TLG Capital, discusses the opportunities and challenges in Angola, one of the continent’s major oil producers with a population of about 38 million. For the full interview, watch the above video.

The global pet food industry is estimated to be worth over $125 billion. Tapping into this vast opportunity is South African -born Nhlanhla Dlamini, the founder and CEO of Maneli Pets. From its factory in Johannesburg, the company produces a range of innovative pet treats – including from unique protein sources such as ostrich, venison, crocodile, and fish – for both the domestic and international markets.