Why Investing in “Boring” Companies Can Boost Employment and Economic Growth in Africa with Brendan Mullen

Episode #40 with Brendan Mullen, who is Co-founder and Managing Director at Secha Capital, a lower-market impact private equity fund in Southern Africa employing an Operator-Investor model and investing in traditional industries making the green economy, tech-enabled, and/or post-COVID transition.

Secha was founded in 2017. Its first fund invested in ten South African companies, creating 300+ jobs with an average revenue growth of 12x. Its $50M second fund scales its Operator-Investor model into Southern Africa.

What We Discuss With Brendan Mullen

• What differentiates Secha Capital from other private equity firms operating in Africa?
• You look for sectors in which South Africa can make use of local resources. Why is that?
• You concentrate on established Southern African companies in large, underserved, "boring" sectors rather than technology companies. What exactly do you mean by "boring" sectors?
• What is the significance of these boring sectors? What value do you think they add to the African economy?
• What are some of the challenges you've encountered in establishing funds dedicated to investing in African SMEs?
• And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: Unlocking Africa show notes

Did you miss my previous episode where I discuss How Tourism in Africa Is Being Reinvented. A Bright Future for African Tourism with Yaa Ofori-Ansah? Make sure to check it out!

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Connect with Terser on LinkedIn at TerserAdamu, and Twitter @TerserAdamu

Connect with Brendan Mullen on LinkedIn at BrendanMullen, and @BrendanJMullen