History

Our History

Africa Rising Capital (Afris ) was established in 2009, marking the first company within the Africa Rising Group of Companies portfolio. The founding principals, including Dr Mandla Gantsho, identified the need to connect African infrastructure projects with efficient funding sources. They combined their more than 60 years of experience in investment banking and project finance in Africa to launch the company. Since then, Afris has evolved into a fully-fledged advisory and investment holding firm with strong capital-raising capability, still owned by its original founding principals.

Afris’ activities have since expanded to encompass a group of companies, including associate entities holding investments in sectors such as mining, petrochemicals, and explosives. The firm is focused on financial services, industrial, infrastructure, resources, and energy, while actively pursuing future growth sectors such as artificial intelligence and water purification. Afris, which operates out of Johannesburg, also offers consulting solutions and specialised tools to businesses across Africa and beyond.

The group’s leadership team boasts unparalleled experience and knowledge of the African investment landscape. Their strong personal and business networks extend across government, banking, and commerce, providing them with unique insights into the complexities and risks of African markets. This expertise, combined with their established relationships with international, regional, and national funding institutions, positions them as trusted advisors and partners in navigating Africa’s business environment.

Afris is proud to be 100% Black-owned and has raised more than $10 billion through bond issuances in collaboration with Standard Bank, mainly for state-owned entities such as Transnet, Eskom, and the Land Bank. Additionally, they have raised R1 billion in equity from Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and private investors, with investments spanning mining, healthcare, property, financial services, and industrial sectors.

Afris holds a Financial Services Provider Licence from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and remains dedicated to servicing a broad range of industries in both the public and private sectors, contributing their expertise to unlocking Africa’s vast economic potential.