The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development arm – EIB Global, has agreed to invest $37.5m in Alta Semper Fund II to support the growth of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies across Africa, including medical equipment and technologies. 

Targeting primarily North Africa (around 70%) and, to a lesser extent, sub-Saharan Africa (about 30%), the fund will strengthen innovation and sustainability in the life sciences sector while deepening EU-Africa trade relations.

Managed by Alta Semper Capital, a female-led private equity firm with a proven track record in healthcare investments, the fund will support local companies in expanding access to affordable and quality products and services, driving inclusive economic growth and human capital development. 

Many portfolio companies are expected to partner with EU suppliers and MedTech firms to provide regional services, further linking African markets to the European Union’s life sciences value chain.

“With this investment, we reaffirm Europe’s commitment to building resilient healthcare systems and fostering equitable growth across Africa. The fund will empower innovative businesses led by talented entrepreneurs, many of them women, to deliver affordable solutions, strengthen local production, and create quality jobs,” said EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti.

“Egypt represents a pivotal platform for international cooperation with development partners through the formulation and implementation of projects that directly benefit citizens, and the mobilization of funding and technical support for both the public sector and the local and foreign private sector. Through the partnership between the EIB and the Alta Semper Fund II work will be done to support the growth of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in Africa, including medical equipment and technologies, especially in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, to promote innovation and sustainability and deepen trade relations between the European Union and Africa,” said Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation of Egypt H.E. Rania Al-Mashat.

"We are delighted to be partnering with the EIB, which marks a significant milestone in our long-term vision to build a resilient, equitable and future-proof healthcare ecosystem across our target markets. The commitment from the EIB will significantly enhance our capacity to deploy capital into new investments, accelerate the growth of our portfolio companies, and deepen our on-the-ground impact, ensuring we continue to meet the continent's rapidly growing demand for quality healthcare and democratise access to health and well-being. Our investment thesis bridges the gaps in healthcare services, facilities and products and we also selectively invest in proven disruptive technologies which accelerate business models and further access and health equity goals,” commented Alta Semper Capital CEO Afsane Jetha.   

“Resilient economies start with local solutions,” said Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC’s Division Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa. “By mobilizing private capital alongside development partners including EIB, this investment in Alta Semper Capital supports the growth of local healthcare and consumer businesses in Egypt and across Africa, including those led by women, expanding access to quality care.”

“The Egyptian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) is proud that international partners like the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are backing Alta Semper Capital Fund II. Their involvement validates the strength of Alta Semper’s strategic focus on Egypt’s healthcare and consumer sectors, which are vital to our national economic resilience.We believe that supporting funds like Alta Semper Fund II will accelerate the growth of medium-sized enterprises, particularly in vital sectors like healthcare and consumer goods, ultimately creating thousands of high-quality job opportunities for Egypt. We are currently finalizing our own investment commitment to the fund, which we expect to conclude within Q1 2026, further empowering high-impact enterprises to scale and innovate," said CEO of MSMEDA Basil Rahmy.

The operation reflects EIB Global’s strategy to mobilise private capital alongside experienced fund managers that can act as catalysts in local markets. The fund benefits from international investor cooperation, alongside the EIB and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, which is already an investor in the fund. In addition, a significant number of private investors are in advanced discussions to join at final closing, underlining the fund’s strong market appeal.

The investment is aligned with the EU Global Health Strategy and the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package, contributing to stronger regional manufacturing capacity, innovation and health security. By embedding gender considerations into its investment approach, the fund will ensure that at least 30% of its portfolio advances gender equality, supporting women-led enterprises and inclusive employment practices.