• Okoumé Capital licensed as fund manager by regional regulator
• Approval enables expansion across Central African financial markets
• Firm aims to boost private equity and support local companies

Okoumé Capital, a private equity firm wholly owned by Gabon’s sovereign wealth fund, has been licensed to operate as a fund manager, the regulator said on Friday, April 3.

The authorization was granted by the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission (Cosumaf) following decisions taken at a session held in Libreville on March 10. It allows Okoumé Capital to manage investment funds under Central Africa’s financial market regulations.

Cosumaf also approved Fabrice Ulric Assoumou Essono and Nadia Prisca Ngoyo Moussavou as managing directors, confirming the firm’s governance structure.

Okoumé Capital is fully owned by the Fonds gabonais d’investissements stratégiques (FGIS).

Regional expansion plans

Following the approval, the firm said it plans to expand its activities across the Central African financial market, mobilizing resources to support corporate investment and economic development.

The license enables Okoumé Capital to formalize its operations and align them with regulatory requirements, at a time when private equity is gaining traction in the region and companies are increasingly seeking alternative financing.

The firm is positioning itself as a provider of corporate financing, aiming to support the growth of private equity and its contribution to regional economic development.

Focus on local companies

Founded in 2018, Okoumé Capital has capital of 20 billion CFA francs ($35.1 million) and focuses on financing local companies in line with national economic priorities.

It targets unlisted firms at various stages of development, using instruments such as equity and quasi-equity, as well as tailored financing solutions.

In addition to its investment activities, the firm offers third-party asset management services, allowing public and private partners to deploy investment strategies.

Okoumé Capital has one subsidiary, Société de garantie du Gabon, which expands the range of financing tools available in the economy.

Private equity activity in Gabon is governed by a regulatory framework established under a decree dated August 1, 2011.

Chamberline Moko