BluePeak Private Capital (BluePeak), an alternative asset management firm supporting the growth of scalable businesses in Africa, has announced its first ESG-linked investment, a $20 million hybrid loan to a leading integrated East & Central African logistics group, Prime Logistics (Prime). 

Rami Matar, Senior Partner at BluePeak, said: "Our diversification into logistics is testament to the flexibility and ambition of an investment approach prioritising sustainable growth of resilient businesses. Partnering with Prime will build on the company's existing ESG track record, advance the logistics sector, and accelerate the journey to a more sustainable future.”

The investment will contribute to the sustainable expansion of Prime's operations in Africa, increasing access to high-quality logistics services while lowering associated emissions and boosting regional connectivity.

Prime combines best-in-class logistics services that include freight, customs clearance, warehousing, inland terminals, overland transport, and supply chain management. 

By offering the full spectrum of logistics services, Prime can offer an integrated solution to customers ensuring cargo is moved efficiently from source to its ultimate destination.

Prime’s ambitious growth plans seek to strengthen its position as a market leader, serving blue chip customers operating in the growth markets of East & Central Africa and the Middle East. 

The company operates from its hubs in Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Kampala, Goma and Dubai bringing regional economic partners closer, while the investment helps the company continue to connect countries including Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Burundi, and Zambia.

As part of the company’s climate action plan, Prime will strengthen its robust ESG framework and build on innovations that focus on reducing the company’s carbon footprint and efficiency. 

BluePeak will ensure the investment aligns with the Fund’s sustainability strategy focused on resilience, climate change, and inclusivity. 

Enhancing equality in a strategic sector, BluePeak’s investment also reinforces gender diversity and will drive the implementation of initiatives to increase female participation in this historically male-dominated sector to break barriers and deliver economic opportunities to women.

BluePeak's investment promotes the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Goal 13 on Climate Action.   

Asif Abdulla, Executive Chairman at Prime Logistics, said: "The investment from BluePeak comes at a crucial time as increasing trade flows between East & Central Africa, the Middle East and the rest of the world supports demand for reliable logistics services. The structure of the funding aligns with our commitment to advance economic growth while unlocking sustainable development.”