A few days ago, an article about fair equity was published in Handelsblatt. For us, this is more than just media coverage – it reflects a broader shift in how we think about capital, impact, and investing in Africa.
What we particularly appreciated is that our approach was described exactly as we see it: not as traditional development aid, but as something fundamentally different – “investments instead of aid.”
Why We Founded fair equity
When we founded fair equity, one thing was clear to us: if we want to create lasting change, we need to rethink how capital is used.
We do not believe in short-term projects as a solution. Sustainable change happens when economic structures are built – and those are built by companies. By entrepreneurs on the ground who understand problems, develop solutions, and turn them into viable business models.
That is where we focus our work. We do not invest in ideas from a distance, but in existing and growing companies in Africa that address real challenges while creating economic opportunity. What these companies often lack is not ambition or innovation – it is access to capital.
Our Approach: Turning Donations into Investment Capital
This is why we chose a model that connects two worlds. We raise capital like a non-profit organization, but invest it like a venture capital fund. Returns are not distributed back to investors, but reinvested, creating a cycle in which capital remains in the system and continues to generate impact over time.
One idea from the article captures this logic very well: “I can have a much greater impact in Africa than in Europe.” What is meant here is not a moral argument, but an economic one. Capital has the greatest leverage where it is scarce – and that is often where the most compelling entrepreneurial opportunities emerge.
What We See on the Ground
Our experience on the ground continues to reinforce this. When we visit our partner companies in Ghana, it becomes clear how different the operating environment can be – and at the same time, how much determination and professionalism exists among the entrepreneurs building these businesses.
A single job often has a much broader impact than in more established markets. It creates not only income, but stability, access to education, and new opportunities for entire families.
This perspective is also reflected in the article. Entrepreneur Florian Schauenburg describes Africa as “the only emerging continent we still have,” highlighting the long-term potential many markets across the continent offer.
Our Portfolio in Practice
Our investments show what this approach looks like in practice. With Medpharma, we support access to healthcare through digital solutions that have already enabled tens of thousands of consultations. With fairafric, we invest in local value creation by shifting chocolate production entirely to Ghana, creating jobs and income on the ground. And with Skin Gourmet, we are building local supply chains that empower producers while opening up international markets.
For us, these are not isolated cases, but part of a broader pattern: entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful drivers of structural change.
What Is Changing
At the same time, we see growing interest in Africa as an investment destination. More and more investors are starting to recognize the potential, while at the same time still facing real barriers – particularly when it comes to access, networks, and local market understanding.
As Michael Weiss points out in the article, capital is fundamentally available – what is often missing are the right networks, local partners, and structures to deploy it effectively.
This is exactly where we see our role: as a bridge between capital and entrepreneurship on the ground.
Looking Ahead
For us, Africa is not a niche topic, and it is not just an “impact” narrative. It is a future market with enormous economic momentum and entrepreneurial potential. Investing today means investing not only in individual companies, but in the development of entire ecosystems.
The Handelsblatt article confirms what we have believed from the beginning: the perspective is changing. And with it, the question investors should be asking.
It is no longer whether Africa is investable.
It is why we are not already investing.
