Marula Square is an independent investment management group founded by like minded professionals aspiring to make a positive impact in Sub-Saharan African countries.
Marula Square
As we are currently in the process of deploying our funds, we are keen to get in touch with entrepreneurs that match the investment criteria as described below.
Our vision
The Marula Tree (sclerocarya birrea) is a tree indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa and for us symbolises the growth of the Sub-Saharan African continent. We aim to catalyse Africa's immense potential by investing in sustainable enterprises that leverage the continent's dynamic population growth and entrepreneurial drive.
We are dedicated to driving positive change, generating financial returns and empowering local communities. Specifically, we are investing in visionary entrepreneurs in education technology, quality healthcare, and agricultural productivity in Africa.
We are dedicated to driving positive change, generating financial returns and empowering local communities. Specifically, we are investing in visionary entrepreneurs in education technology, quality healthcare, and agricultural productivity in Africa.
With the sincerest respect for local cultures and ways of working, we enter into partnerships with high-potential Sub-Saharan African entrepreneurs, as well as incubators and accelerators that connect us to such entrepreneurs. On the other side, we are building a network of experienced investors with the right attitude and values, to unlock mind-opening and exciting opportunities for them. On 31 January 2023, the 1st closing of our first investment fund took place. We are now actively looking for investment opportunities that fit the below-mentioned criteria.
Our approach
The kind of ventures we are looking for
The purpose of the enterprise is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2,3 and/or 4
The business idea has growth potential and addresses a genuine problem
The top management team consists of at least two people culturally Sub-Saharan African
The business is active in education-technology, private healthcare and/or agri-processing
Operations predominantly in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and/or Ghana
The team is gender diverse and/or has clear targets in this regard
I am an entrepreneur
Get your pitch deck ready and invest five minutes of your time to let us know how we can help you advance
I am an investor
As we are trying to understand investor appetite more, it would be greatly appreciated if you could allow us three minutes of your time to register your investment preferences
I am an entrepreneur
We would like to get to know you
I am an investor
Please insert your details below
Our investments
Facilitating seamless placement of verified locums (temporary workers) to practices, pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics across South Africa.
Providing commerce infrastructure and embedded finance solutions for
Nigeria's informal processors and retailers of agricultural produce.
Nigeria's informal processors and retailers of agricultural produce.
Democratising access to healthcare by leveraging tech solutions including SMS, Telehealth and Web.
Preparing Africas youth for the future labour market by transforming education for K-12 and tertiary institutions with immersive coding and robotics programs.
Solving legacy inefficiencies in Africa's agricultural supply chain, providing crop processing, financial services, and critical micro-insurance products to farmers via an integrated delivery model in Nigeria.
Board Members
- Elvira de JongExperienced corporate lawyer, board advisor and start-up mentor. Knowledgeable on corporate governance, corporate litigation, and impact investing in Africa. Acted as a startup mentor at the Entrepreneurship World Cup, the Oxford Social Entrepreneurship Programme and the Africa Innovation Fellowship. Fluent in Dutch, English and French. LL.M. (Hons) from the University of Amsterdam, and SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
- Nontya MtshaulanaFinancial services professional with experience in risk management, audit, accounting, M&A and ALM/Treasury obtained across Africa, Europe and the US. Currently responsible for bank-wide implementation of Sustainable Finance (ESG) Regulations at ABN AMRO. Fluent in Dutch and English, and basic proficiency of Xhosa. Chartered Accountant; CFA charterholder; Executive Masters in M&A and Valuations graduate from University of Groningen / Duisenberg institute; and SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
- Xueming ZhaoBank executive and Treasurer. Currently serving as Senior Vice President and Treasurer at a Canadian bank heading up the functions of capital market, liquidity, alternative funding, capital management, ALM, and balance sheet strategy. Also serves as the chair of the pension committee. Expertise in derivatives and fixed income, pension, and strategy. Work experience in the US, Canada, and China. SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
- Michael DelefesOver 14 years of experience in banking and asset management. Specializing in alternative investment strategies ranging from public to private equity. Michael has worked all over the world spending a great deal of time in South East Asia, China and the Middle East. Most recently Michael worked for CastleMill Equity Partners focusing on UK small and medium cap buyouts. SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
- Abi Mustapha-MaduakorExecutive with over 17 years' experience in leadership roles, financial management and structured products in emerging markets and the UK. Deep private capital in Africa industry expertise. Previous Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, responsible for policy programmes to spur private sector investment and SME growth.
Experienced Board and committee member for various commercial and non-profit organisations in UK and Nigeria. Masters in Chemical Engineering, Chartered Accountant and Oxford EMBA graduate.
Frequently asked questions
A: There's many ways to do this, but we particularly like the approach of Guy Kawasaki: The only 10 slides you need in your pitch
A: Given the quality of our respective networks in these countries and the appetite of our investors, we have an initial focus on South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.
A: We focus on ventures offering education-technology, private healthcare and agri-processing solutions.
A: We make investments up to USD 100.000 each, and we have a solid network of partners ready to invest alongside us.
Keen to stay informed?
Please leave your details below