An experience-based investment approach
Our investment model grew from decades of operational experience in West Africa and beyond. It balances patience with innovation as we pursue our proven, fit-for-purpose approach to the diverse, dynamic regions in which we operate.
To overcome the unique challenges and capture the outsized opportunities of our markets, we’ve placed innovation, patience and partnership at the core of our strategy and structure.
Deploying capital through a holding company structure, we benefit from a highly differentiated level of investment flexibility. We create new businesses and partner with leading social entrepreneurs to build highly scalable regional champions. We allocate human capital as well as financial, sharing resources across our portfolio of companies to quickly capitalize on market opportunities and defend value during downturns. We build for resilience and outsized scale, sustainably achieved over the long-term. And we may continue to hold our investments for as long as they contribute to portfolio value creation.
We are proudly headquartered in West Africa, making us uniquely close to our businesses, new investment opportunities, local communities and stakeholders, and the evolving political and social developments in our markets.
“Businesses in Sierra Leone face great challenges in raising the capital they need to grow. Solon’s management team has shown that it is possible to successfully grow businesses over the long-term using a different model from traditional private equity.”
Nature-Based Solutions
Education & Sport
Sustainable Communities
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
Nature-Based Solutions
-
West Africa Blue is a community-centric developer of blue carbon projects in West and Central Africa. Blue’s mission is to work hand-in-hand with local communities to preserve, restore and sustainably manage coastal ecosystems across West and Central Africa, financed through the issuance of high-quality carbon credits.
Education
-
Rising Academy Network’s mission is to create the best schools and the most powerful teaching and learning tools for the people that need them most. Through great curriculum materials, intensive teacher coaching and actionable data, Rising helps teachers and school leaders bring quality to every classroom. Rising innovates through low-cost private schools that it owns and operates, then takes these learnings and works with governments and other partners to improve the quality of their schools at scale.
Rising is one of the fastest-growing quality-focused education companies in Africa, and a Certified B Corp®.
Sport
-
Kossa is committed to fostering Africa’s passion and talent for sport. With a strong focus on emerging athletes, we identify and invest in innovative projects and ventures that empower the region’s young talent, promote healthy lifestyles and gender equality, and stimulate economic growth.
Sustainable Transportation Services
-
Flash Vehicles is a professional provider of turn-key vehicle rentals, full-maintenance leasing and fleet management solutions to organisations operating in West Africa. With longstanding operating experience in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and beyond, Flash provides comprehensive transportation solutions to private sector, humanitarian, governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Green Housing & Construction
-
Rocklane Capital Partners is a privately-held real estate investment firm focused on the creation of sustainable communities in West Africa. Founded in 2014, the company invests primarily in green retail and residential assets. The firm’s experienced investment team, supported by a dedicated operations group, operate from offices in Abidjan and London.
Professional Services
-
TNS is a professional services firm empowering clients in Africa’s frontier markets. TNS provides a range of finance, compliance, consulting, and advisory services across multiple sectors and geographies in Sub-Saharan Africa.