Brightmore Capital

Brightmore Capital is an investment management and advisory firm focused on francophone West Africa. We are based in the region’s two economic hubs of Dakar and Abidjan, targeting investments across Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Benin and Togo.

Our investment team has lived, worked and invested in West Africa and has strong business ties to the region. We are supported by both local and international professionals with domain experience in finance, operations, and international development, as well as outside advisers from target sectors.

We are a team of professionals with the following credentials:

• Top-notch business education
• Operational experience with global financial institutions and industrial companies inside and outside of Africa
• Knowledge and insight into the local markets, regulations, and industry dynamics
• Strong local networks and established relationships

Our team’s deep knowledge of the West African market, extensive investment experience, the capability to add value to portfolio company operations, and strong network of reliable and trusted local and industrial financial contacts positions it well to identify and execute on attractive investment opportunities in the region.With our on the ground presence on one side, and access to investment capital, on the other, we are well positioned to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns while, at the same time, contributing to the socio-economic development of West Africa.

Key Investment Principles

Must-have criteria for target companies:

• Outstanding incumbent management teams with local expertise, with possible augmentation by new hires
• Reputable entrepreneurs and co-investment partners
• Backed by entrepreneur co-investments (for early-stage venture projects)
• Have a clearly-defined positive economic and social impact

We consider investment opportunities that feature the following:

• Clear, pre-identified opportunities for improved performance and growth (top-line growth and margin improvement)
• Appropriate post-transaction capital structure, high interest coverage ratios (if auxiliary debt financing is used)
• Clear governance and control, operational and financial transparency; low opportunities for internal corruption
• Alignment of interests between entrepreneurs/managers, Brightmore Capital and its investors
• Ability to scale locally and grow to become “regional champions”, establishing sizable market share in their industries
• Economic and social impact can be measured in accordance to established frameworks (GIIRS, GIIN IRIS, etc.)

Deal Sourcing and Pipeline

Proprietary deal sourcing, driven by deep and reliable networks across West Africa along with a full-time local presence in the region

Consistent and disciplined practice in investment selection:

• Intensive and disciplined focus on thorough due diligence: review of business models, market forecasts, profit projections, cost basis, operating risks, potential investment impact, and management team backgrounds
• Processes of systematic deal valuation and capitalization structure creation
• Controlled investment decision-making process by the investment committee

Value-oriented investment philosophy:

• Invest at attractive valuations corresponding to target company’s growth potential
• Pursue a wide range of transaction types in pursuit of the most attractive risk/reward characteristics
• Leverage structuring experience to bridge valuation expectation gaps, provide downside protection, and provide multiple exit alternatives