(Ecofin Agency) - Founders of Agri-Vie, which distinguished itself through investment in Africa’s agricultural sector, and Stanlib, South Africa’s second biggest assets manager, jointly launched Exeo Capital, an investment firm which is to allow both groups to expand their alternative investment offerings in sub Saharan Africa.

“Stanlib has built Pan-African investment expertise in direct property, infrastructure and high yield debt. Our partnership with EXEO allows us to now complete our alternatives suite by adding a private equity capability,” said Stanlib’s CEO, Seelan Gobalsamy.

Technically, the new investment firm will serve as a launching ramp for Agri-Vie fund II which should come online in Q2 2016, and whose anticipated closing was set at $250 million, compared to $100 million for the first fund.

Contrarily to the first resources invested in agro-business sectors in Eastern and Southern Africa, Agri-Vie II plans to invest in new African regions, where investors struggle to access cash.

Idriss Linge