FMO has invested $25m in DPI’s African Development Partners III, a pan-African fund targeting established and growing consumer-focused companies.

FMO said the investment “fits FMO’s strategy, deepening a relationship with an existing partner in African private equity investing and contributes further to FMO’s ambition of being a preferred partner for growth in emerging markets”.

FMO previously invested in DPI’s first fund, African Development Partners I.

Established in 2007, Development Partners International now manages $1.1bn in AUM and has invested in 20 portfolio companies across its two funds, ADP I, and its successor fund, African Development Partners II (ADP II).

DPI is now raising its third fund: African Development Partners III (ADP III).

DPI's strategy is to build a diversified pan-African portfolio of private equity investments in established and growing companies benefiting from Africa's fast-growing, middle class.

ADP III is expected to invest $40 – $120m in 8 – 14 different companies.

DPI has more than 35 members of staff, of which 40% are women, and its investment team is 100% African.

DPI also has a dedicated Portfolio Management team that works closely with the management’s teams of its investees.

ADP III will contribute to the creation of value within its investees and the positive impact they have on their local communities, creating more jobs and increasing government tax revenues as well as broadly fostering regional economic integration.

According to FMO, DPI has a strong environment and social management system in place: “DPI also has an experienced and dedicated ESG manager in its team. DPI undertakes rigorous ESG due diligence during its investment process and creates ESG action plans for its portfolio companies to align them with the IFC Environmental and Social Performance Standards”.