Z Capital Group and Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Investor Ink MoU on African Investments
Posted on 11/22/2023
James J. Zenni Jr. is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer at ZCG (Z Capital Group) where he is responsible for all portfolio management and business operations. Zenni has had substantial success investing in private equity and credit strategies for over three decades. ZCG was founded approximately 20 years ago and has successfully grown into a global merchant bank comprised of private markets asset management, business consulting services, and a technology affiliate.
ZCG and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), manager of Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund, announced a joint venture partnership to establish a fund focused on infrastructure investments in Africa marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic collaboration offers the opportunity to leverage the unique economic and financial opportunities that are currently burgeoning within the African continent. Against the backdrop of Africa’s rapid economic evolution and growth, coupled with a growing population and increasing global influence, the partnership between ZCG and NSIA is poised to tap into Africa’s investment landscape. NSIA brings in-depth experience across key sectors, with a track record for executing large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa enabled through stakeholder relationships, relevant market insights, and strong pipelines for sourcing investment opportunities.
ZCG has worked with NSIA in the past.
Key highlights of the MoU include:
Strategic Partnership: The MoU establishes a strategic partnership between ZCG and NSIA, facilitating collaborative efforts in identifying, developing, and implementing infrastructure projects in Africa.
Shared Vision: Both parties share a common vision of contributing to the economic growth and social development of African economies through investments in critical infrastructure projects. Aligned with NSIA’s core mission, the partnership aims to contribute to sustainable economic growth, foster innovation, and address key developmental challenges across the African continent.
Expertise Integration: The joint venture will capitalize on the complementary expertise of NSIA and ZCG, combining technical expertise, project management skills, and a deep understanding of the local context to deliver successful infrastructure solutions.
Investment Commitment: Under this MoU, ZCG and NSIA will pursue equity, debt, and other blended financial instruments for investments across diverse sectors, including, but not limited to, healthcare, renewable energy, mobility and logistics, energy transition, climate-adaptive infrastructure, digital and social infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, and green industrialization.
Sustainable Development: The joint venture will prioritize environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices, aligning with global standards and best practices to ensure long-term benefits. ZCG and NSIA will seek projects that deliver scalable socio-economic impact in Africa, while also generating attractive investment returns and diversification opportunities.
Source: Press Release.
