Built for the Next Wave of African Growth
We’re at an inflection point in Africa. A new generation of founder-led businesses is emerging, tech-enabled, infrastructure-hungry, and scaling across borders. But these companies don’t just need capital. They need committed partners who understand the terrain and have walked the path.
Lighthouse Capital is a private equity firm created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. We’ve built businesses, led teams, and solved real operational challenges. Now, we back bold founders with more than money. We bring strategic clarity, operational expertise, and the experience to scale what works.
Our focus is clear:
We invest in high-potential businesses across five sectors reshaping Africa’s future:
AI & AI-enabled technologies
Data infrastructure (including data centres)
Manufacturing
Fintech & financial services
Professional services
We’re anchored in South Africa, with selective exposure to markets like Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and other parts of the continent where we see long-term opportunity.
At Lighthouse, we don’t believe in passive investing. We believe in partnership. We get in, stay close, and help drive execution where it matters most.
If you’re building a business that’s ready to scale or looking to partner with a fund that knows what it means to build, we’d love to talk.
Our Capital Story in Numbers
The Team Behind the Capital
What We Stand For
At Lighthouse Capital, our values are shaped by real experience, not theory. We’ve built businesses from the ground up, so we know what matters when the stakes are high. These principles drive how we invest, how we show up for founders, and how we earn the trust of our partners.
Entrepreneurial Empathy
We’ve built, scaled, and struggled too. That’s why we approach every founder and investment with understanding, humility, and urgency.
Execution First
Strategy is meaningless without action. We roll up our sleeves to help companies execute, optimise, and scale.
Focused Discipline
We don’t chase hype. We invest in sectors we know, in markets we understand, and only when we can add real value.
Aligned Partnership
We win when our partners win. That’s why we’re transparent, collaborative, and committed to long-term growth, not quick flips.
Bold, Not Reckless
We take calculated risks on bold ideas with clear paths to scale. We back ambition, not chaos.
Integrity Always
We operate with clarity, honesty, and consistency, because trust is the foundation of every great partnership.
Where We’re Building
Johannesburg, South Africa
The financial and industrial heart of Southern Africa, Johannesburg is our home base and launchpad. We’re deeply embedded in its ecosystem, across fintech, professional services, and high-growth infrastructure plays.
Nairobi, Kenya
A growing centre of East African innovation. With strong mobile adoption, talent density, and early traction in AI and SaaS, Nairobi presents high-quality opportunities across tech-enabled services and platforms.
Lagos, Nigeria
Africa’s most dynamic startup hub. Lagos leads in fintech innovation, consumer tech adoption, and scale potential. We’re focused on backing bold founders building across payments, lending, and digital infrastructure.
Kigali, Rwanda
One of Africa’s most forward-thinking regulatory and innovation environments. Kigali is ideal for piloting smart infrastructure, AI applications, and advanced manufacturing with regional expansion potential.
