The Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) has announced a $250m Virunga Africa Fund I to invest in vital sectors that will drive economic and social transformation across the African continent.

The two anchor investors in the fund are the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). 

Regis Rugemanshuro (pictured), Director General of the Rwanda Social Security Board, said: “Virunga Africa Fund I affirms our belief that international investors are increasingly seeing the huge opportunities Africa offers. The Fund will unlock tremendous value and deliver real development impact benefitting people across the continent – at a time when economies are trying to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic."

"We appreciate the Qatar International Authority partnering with RSSB as cornerstone investors in this historic project which will improve the lives of people in Rwanda, and across Africa.

The Fund is managed by Admaius, an independent investment firm comprising one of the most experienced pan-African investment teams working on the ground.

The Fund’s targeted investments will deliver tangible change for Rwandans and for people across the continent. 

It will produce a more dynamic private sector in Africa and make the continent more self-reliant by reducing the need for foreign imports. Investment projects will increase access to essential services including healthcare, education, digital infrastructure, and financial services. 

The Fund will leverage strong in-house and industry sector expertise to guide businesses through digital transformation and create long-term value, capitalising on post-Covid opportunities, strong demographic tailwinds, and secular growth trends.

The Fund’s Head Office will be based in Kigali and domiciled in the KIFC, which offers a safe, compliant, and centralized holding presence for financial activities across Africa. 

The KIFC was recently recognised as one of the financial jurisdictions likely to become more significant by the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI).

Nick Barigye, CEO of Rwanda Finance, the agency leading the development and promotion of the Kigali International Financial Centre, said: “For investors of such standing to choose the Kigali International Financial Centre to host their fund sends a great signal. It shows that the KIFC is a compliant and attractive jurisdiction for Pan-African investment. Investors see that Rwanda offers them strategic advantages; these include good governance, high levels of connectivity, efficiency, transparency, and an ease of doing business which has been internationally recognised.” 

“KIFC looks forward to the success of the Virunga Africa Fund I and welcome more regional and international players who wish to transform the investment landscape of Africa.”