Sanari Capital has exited its investment in Fernridge Solutions, with Broll Property Group acquiring the Johannesburg-based market intelligence and geospatial analytics firm.

Sanari’s investment, guided by its 3S model – Sustainability, Scalability and Saleability – strengthened Fernridge’s market position and established a solid foundation for future expansion.

Under the investment theme Data is the New Gold, Sanari’s partnership with Fernridge reflected its belief in the strategic value of data and the power of insights to drive business intelligence, particularly through Fernridge’s proprietary dataset, which maps decades of income and household data across more than 200 African cities.

Sanari Capital director Moushmi Patel, who led the deal, said the partnership with Broll represents the next logical step in Fernridge’s evolution. She noted that Fernridge “has moved beyond traditional static data methodologies to deliver real-time, richer insights that help businesses navigate a rapidly changing AI-driven environment.”

Patel added that she is confident the partnership “will further strengthen Fernridge’s position in the data and market intelligence sector in Africa,” and that “Broll’s scale and access to market will enable the team to continue executing on their mission and long-term growth plans.”

Broll’s pan-African presence and expertise in real estate and technology position it well to lead Fernridge into its next phase of growth.

Malcolm Horne, Group CEO of Broll Property Group, said the transaction is about more than financial growth, describing it as “about partnerships, innovation, and shaping an African real estate landscape where decisions are informed by knowledge and possibility.”

He added that “Africa holds immense opportunity, but unlocking it requires deeper insights and smarter use of technology. Our investment in Fernridge supports our commitment to developing a locally grounded yet globally competitive property sector. It will empower investors and occupiers across the continent to make more informed decisions and anticipate trends.”

Horne expressed confidence in the Fernridge management team, which will remain in place following the acquisition.

Fernridge CEO Marinus van der Merwe said the partnership with Broll would enable the company to accelerate the scaling of its digital capabilities. “Broll’s reach across Africa, combined with their professionalism and depth of expertise, makes them an ideal partner,” he said. “Their experience in both real estate and technology aligns with our long-term vision for digital innovation and growth across the continent.”

Van der Merwe extended his appreciation to Sanari Capital for its role as Fernridge’s private equity partner, noting that “Sanari’s belief in our mission, support in strengthening governance, and guidance through our growth phase have been invaluable.”

He added that “their commitment to backing high-growth businesses while delivering strong returns and creating sustainable value has been remarkable. We’re deeply grateful for their partnership.”

Sanari founder and CEO Samantha Pokroy described the exit as a meaningful milestone for the firm. “Fernridge was Sanari’s first investment and holds a special place in our journey,” she said. “The success of this partnership and the strength of the exit reaffirm our belief in the potential of private equity to scale African growth companies. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and wish the Fernridge team continued success under Broll’s ownership.”