Zebu Investment Partners (ZIP) has followed on from its 2020 investment in AMC Trade Finance (AMCTF), through its African Food Security (AFS), resulting in an equity buyout of the founders, Africa Merchant Capital (AMC). 

Brian Frimpong, Managing Partner of ZIP, said: “We are excited about the opportunity to deepen our support to Africa trade finance, by re-energizing a new management team with deep industry experience to be focused on improving access to finance for SME exports & imports, mainly in the agro value chain.” 

“The new management team, led by a seasoned-female, Anne-Marie Woolley, will drive our gender-lens agenda and expand our inclusive strategy to improve market access for growers, aggregators, and distributors.”

AMCTF is a specialist trade finance business that was founded by AMC in 2016 and provides secured and structured trade finance solutions for Africa-focused trade. 

Cobus Visagie, Group CEO of Africa Merchant Capital, said: “AMCTF has a strong team that we are confident can achieve great success and we look forward to following their continued progress. The sale of the AMCTF subsidiary allows me and my team at AMC to refocus and reposition our merchant bank offering in the midst of a rapidly changing business environment.” 

“With the strong foundations laid over the past nine years, AMC has proven its resilience and adaptability in its offering to provide corporate finance advisory, as well as other finance and growth capital solutions, for successful mid-market businesses active in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are excited about this market opportunity that AMC continues to serve.”

Anne-Marie Woolley is taking up the role as CEO of AMCTF. 

Woolley has been active on the African continent for almost 30 years. 

She has previously held a number of leadership roles with International and South African banking institutions and has been an active member of AMCTFʼs credit committee for the whole of 2021. 

Woolley brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for the trade finance business. 

She has in her career worked with several team members of AMCTF. 

Focusing on impact investments in SMEs in the food security industry, ZIP believes it can make a significant difference in Africa by promoting and financing trade into Africa, out of Africa and in between African economies.