INFRASTRUCTURE

Our Funds apply the firm’s tried-and-tested approach to investing in CORE and CORE+ infrastructure opportunities, with a primary focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (“AfCFTA”) countries and other high-potential emerging markets. Leveraging decades of investment experience, Goneke Investment Group (GIG) targets infrastructure assets that are foundational to economic development and human prosperity, particularly in regions poised for transformative growth. The AfCFTA, encompassing 54 African nations and a combined GDP of over $3 trillion, offers a vast, interconnected market ripe for infrastructure investment, while emerging markets beyond Africa provide additional opportunities for diversification and impact. Our Funds are strategically designed to capitalize on these dynamics, delivering both financial returns and sustainable progress.

Our infrastructure equity funds concentrate on a carefully curated set of sectors and principles, ensuring alignment with our mission to drive enduring value:

• Energy, Food, Health, Real Estate, and Transportation Infrastructure Sectors: We target sectors critical to societal well-being and economic vitality. In Energy, we might invest in renewable power plants, such as solar farms in Kenya, or modernize grid infrastructure in Nigeria to enhance reliability. In Food, we support agricultural logistics hubs or cold storage facilities in Ghana to bolster food security. In Health, we fund hospital networks or telemedicine platforms in Rwanda to improve access to care. In Real Estate, we develop mixed-use urban projects or affordable housing in South Africa to address urbanization trends. In Transportation, we back port expansions in Morocco or rail networks in Ethiopia to facilitate trade under AfCFTA, each investment tailored to local needs and global standards.
• Proprietary, Proactive, and Selective Deal Origination: Our deal-sourcing strategy is proactive and proprietary, relying on deep market intelligence, local partnerships, and industry relationships rather than competing in overcrowded auctions. For instance, we might identify an underutilized hydropower asset through direct negotiations with a regional government, securing exclusive access to high-value opportunities ahead of the market.
• Large-Scale, Complex Transactions with Limited Competition: We specialize in transactions that require significant capital, technical expertise, and operational sophistication—attributes that deter smaller players. Examples include multi-billion-dollar public-private partnerships (PPPs) for cross-border highways or energy grids, where our scale and experience give us a competitive edge, minimizing bidding wars and maximizing value.
• Ability to Form Strategic Joint Ventures with Leading Industrial Partners: We collaborate with top-tier industrial firms—such as global energy giants, construction conglomerates, or technology providers—to enhance project execution and market penetration. A joint venture with a renewable energy leader, for example, could accelerate the deployment of wind farms in Egypt, combining our capital with their technical know-how.
• Control-Oriented Investments: We prioritize majority stakes or significant influence in our portfolio companies, enabling us to steer strategic direction and implement operational improvements. This hands-on approach ensures we can drive performance, as seen in taking control of a struggling logistics firm and transforming it into a regional leader through fleet modernization and route optimization.
• High-Quality Businesses and Assets with Potential for Outperformance: We seek assets with strong fundamentals but untapped potential, such as a dormant real estate site in Lagos ripe for mixed-use development or a food processing plant in Zambia that can scale with operational upgrades. Through growth initiatives, value-add enhancements, and risk mitigation, we position these assets to exceed market expectations.
• Well-Timed and Disciplined Entries and Strategic Exits: Our investment timing is deliberate, entering markets during periods of undervaluation—like post-crisis recovery phases—and exiting at peak value through sales to institutional buyers or IPOs. For instance, acquiring a transportation asset during an economic dip and exiting after AfCFTA-driven trade volumes soar ensures optimal returns.

This multifaceted strategy reflects our expertise in navigating the complexities of infrastructure investing, particularly in AfCFTA and emerging markets, where rapid urbanization, population growth, and trade integration create unprecedented demand for robust infrastructure solutions.

At Goneke Investment Group (GIG), our approach to infrastructure investing is firmly rooted in a long-term buy-and-hold strategy, designed to deliver stable, enduring capital appreciation alongside consistent, predictable cash flow. We recognize that large-scale infrastructure assets—such as power plants, highways, or urban developments—are not short-term speculations but foundational pillars of economic ecosystems, requiring patience and foresight to maximize their potential. This philosophy distinguishes us from peers who chase quick flips, positioning us as stewards of assets that generate value over decades rather than years.

Our focus on longevity is particularly suited to the infrastructure landscape of AfCFTA countries and emerging markets, where assets often require sustained investment to mature. For example, a solar energy project in Tanzania might take years to stabilize its grid integration and customer base, but once operational, it delivers decades of reliable cash flow and community benefits. Similarly, a transportation corridor linking coastal ports to inland cities—like the Dar es Salaam-to-Kigali route—requires upfront capital and regulatory navigation but promises steady returns as trade volumes grow under AfCFTA. By committing to these long-term horizons, we ensure sustainable returns for our investors, balancing immediate yield with future appreciation.

This approach also fosters resilience, enabling our Funds to weather economic cycles and geopolitical shifts. Backed by GIG’s robust platform—built over years of meticulous refinement—we provide the financial strength, operational expertise, and strategic patience needed to see projects through to fruition. Whether it’s maintaining a healthcare facility through a recession or scaling a real estate asset during a boom, our long-term mindset ensures that our investors benefit from both stability and growth, delivering a legacy of value that transcends market fluctuations.

We bring a disciplined, value-add mindset to every infrastructure investment, emphasizing operational excellence, transparency, and accountability as cornerstones of our strategy. This approach begins with our rigorous due diligence process, where we dissect every facet of a potential investment—financial health, operational efficiency, market dynamics, and growth prospects—to identify opportunities for enhancement. But our work doesn’t stop at acquisition; it’s just the beginning of a transformative journey. Throughout the investment lifecycle, we work closely with our partners—management teams, local stakeholders, and industrial collaborators—to unlock untapped potential and drive meaningful growth. For instance, in a food infrastructure asset, we might implement precision agriculture technologies to boost yields, streamline supply chains to reduce waste, and negotiate better distribution contracts to expand market reach—all while maintaining transparent reporting to our investors. In a real estate project, we could enhance value by introducing energy-efficient designs, securing anchor tenants, or rezoning land for higher-value use, turning a modest asset into a thriving hub.

Our hands-on involvement ensures that every dollar invested translates into tangible improvements. We embed operational experts within portfolio companies, providing strategic guidance on everything from cost optimization to workforce training, and we hold ourselves accountable to clear performance metrics—whether it’s revenue growth, carbon footprint reduction, or job creation. This relentless focus on value creation transforms underperforming or overlooked assets into industry benchmarks, delivering superior returns while reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner in infrastructure investing.

As stewards of capital, we are deeply committed to responsible investing, building resilient companies and competitive assets that align with climate solutions and support the global energy transition. In an era where environmental sustainability and social impact are paramount, our Funds prioritise investments that not only generate financial returns but also address pressing global challenges—climate change, resource scarcity, and inequitable access to essential services. Our responsible investing framework is built on sustainable practices that deliver long-term value for our investors while fostering meaningful economic and environmental impact. In the Energy sector, we might fund solar or wind projects that displace coal-fired power, reducing greenhouse gas emissions across AfCFTA nations. In Health, we could support mobile clinics that bring care to rural populations, improving quality of life and economic productivity. In Transportation, we might back electric vehicle charging networks or low-emission rail systems, aligning with global decarbonization goals. Each investment is evaluated through an ESG (environmental, social, governance) lens, ensuring that it contributes to climate resilience, community welfare, and ethical governance.

This commitment extends beyond compliance—it’s a strategic imperative. By integrating sustainability into our core operations, we de-risk our portfolio against regulatory shifts, attract socially conscious investors, and enhance the longevity of our assets. For example, a real estate development with green certifications might command higher rents and lower operating costs, while a food infrastructure project with water-efficient irrigation could thrive amidst climate variability. Through these efforts, we aim to set a new standard for infrastructure investing—one where profitability and purpose coexist, driving transformative change in emerging markets and beyond.