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Key people at 8 Miles LLP.
8 Miles LLP is a pan-African private equity firm based in London, England, that focuses exclusively on investing in mid-market consumer-driven businesses across the African continent. The firm provides capital and operational expertise to established companies in sectors such as agribusiness, fast-moving consumer goods, manufacturing, and financial services. Operating with approximately 15 employees, the organization manages $300 million in total assets under management, which includes a $200 million inaugural fund. The firm typically targets equity investments ranging from $15 million to $40 million per company to drive strategic development and operational improvements. Its investment portfolio features regional enterprises such as Beloxxi Industries, Verde Beef, and Eagle Chemicals, alongside successful exits from Awash Wine Share Company and Biyinzika Poultry International. 8 Miles LLP was founded in 2008 by Bob Geldof, Mark Florman, and Nathan Mintah.
Key people at 8 Miles LLP.
8 Miles LLP is a private equity firm dedicated exclusively to investing in established African businesses with strong growth prospects.[1][2][3] Its mission centers on deploying capital across the continent to drive operational improvements and value creation in high-potential sectors, including agriculture, chemicals, consumer products, financial services, fintech, food and beverage, and industrials.[1][2][5] The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes backing entrepreneurs scaling their companies, using diverse instruments like equity and debt, while prioritizing stable macro-economic environments and hard-currency revenues to mitigate risk.[2][5] Through funds like 8 Miles Fund I (launched July 2012, targeting $5-10M investments at Series B and later stages, with $200M AUM), it has built a diversified portfolio across seven countries, fostering growth in Africa's startup and business ecosystem by providing growth capital and operational expertise.[1][5]
Founded around 2009 (registered as LLP OC342536 in the UK), 8 Miles LLP emerged to address the funding gap for scaling African businesses amid the continent's rising economic potential.[2][6] Key partners hail from private equity and corporate backgrounds, bringing proven experience in driving change in Africa and emerging markets.[1][2] The firm's evolution reflects a sharpened focus on pan-African opportunities: its maiden fund, 8 Miles Fund I, launched in July 2012, marked the start of deployments into diverse sectors from Ethiopia to Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond, evolving from initial investments like Awash Wine (2013) to a broader portfolio emphasizing resilience and expansion.[1][5]
8 Miles rides Africa's burgeoning private equity wave, fueled by urbanization, a young population, and digital transformation in fintech and agritech, where sectors like foodtech and financial services are exploding amid improving political stability.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with post-pandemic recovery and infrastructure investments, positioning the firm to capitalize on market forces like rising FDI and intra-African trade via the AfCFTA. By funding scalers in underserved regions (e.g., Ethiopia's Awash Wine, Ghana's Nsawam operations), it influences the ecosystem by bridging capital gaps, enhancing local entrepreneurship, and promoting diversified, resilient growth beyond traditional VC hotspots.[2][5]
Next for 8 Miles likely involves fundraising for successor funds to expand into emerging African tech-adjacent plays like fintech scaling and sustainable agriculture, leveraging its hard-currency model amid currency volatilities.[1][5] Trends such as AI-driven supply chains, green energy transitions, and deeper regional integration will shape its path, potentially amplifying influence through larger deals in stable hubs like Nigeria and Kenya. As Africa's GDP projections climb, 8 Miles stands poised to deepen its role as a pivotal growth engine for the continent's businesses, echoing its foundational commitment to high-prospect investments.[2]
