Abidjan, Nairobi, Mauritius — August 21, 2025 – Kessner Capital Management (KCM) today announced the launch of its inaugural private credit fund, operational since March 2024. Dedicated entirely to Africa, the fund aims to bridge the continent’s financing gap for mid-sized businesses and high-impact projects.
A Pan-African, Agile, and Impact-Driven Fund
Founded by a pan-African team of seasoned professionals in structured finance and strategic investing, Kessner Capital Management positions itself as a new force in Africa’s alternative capital market. With a direct lending strategy, the fund targets profitable companies — often underserved by traditional banks — operating in high-growth sectors such as agribusiness, renewable energy, infrastructure, technology, and financial services.
“We don’t just lend, we partner with businesses to build lasting growth. Our role is to act as a long-term strategic ally, embedding governance, transparency, and impact at every stage,” said Bruno-Maurice Monny and Benny Osei, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Kessner.
The fund positions itself as a unique player in the market, focusing on small and mid-sized businesses seeking growth capital. The team applies an activist approach to its investment discipline, leveraging strong market access and robust information gathering to safeguard capital while identifying opportunities that deliver superior returns for investors and stakeholders.
An Undercapitalized Market, a Defining Opportunity
Africa’s economy is projected to grow by 5.7% in 2025, yet the continent continues to face an SME financing gap of over $331 billion annually, according to the World Bank. Kessner’s strategy is to help close this gap by structuring flexible loans, denominated in USD or local currencies, with maturities ranging from 30 days to 3 years.
The team combines deep local market knowledge with an influential network across West, East, and Southern Africa, applying a disciplined approach to macro, political, and operational risk assessment.
“Banks are contracting liquidity while market demand is expanding. Africa’s financing needs are exploding. Kessner was designed to deliver structured, patient, and locally intelligent capital to drive systemic change,” added Benny Osei.
Strategic Partnership, Full Independence
The fund is sponsored by NFG SA, a Swiss based private holding/investment firm, and supported by long-term international partners active in structured finance and private equity. This partnership equips Kessner with strong institutional capacity while ensuring full independence in investment selection, analysis, and execution.
A Respected Team with Deep African Roots
The fund is led by:
- Bruno-Maurice Monny – Ex-J.P. Morgan and BNP Paribas, a structured credit specialist with extensive experience in African markets.
- Benny Osei – Leifbridge Capital and Bloomberg, a multi-asset investing expert with a focus on frontier and emerging markets.
They are supported by a distinguished Advisory Board including:
- Charles Millon – Former French Minister of Defence.
- Colin Rezek – International investment banker and Africa-focused financier.
- Christiane de Livonnière – Senior advisor in African development finance.
- Frédéric Le Bourgeois – Former CEO, leading private equity and infrastructure investor.
A Clear Mission: Reposition Africa in Global Finance
Kessner Capital’s mission is to rethink capital access in Africa — offering global investors opportunities for both impact and yield, while empowering African entrepreneurs to scale regional ambitions.
By operating at the intersection of financial performance and social purpose, the fund aims to demonstrate that profitability, integrity, and transformation can go hand in hand.
“Kessner Capital marks the beginning of a new chapter in Africa’s access to structured finance,” concluded the Co-Founders.
