AHL Venture Partners

AHL Venture Partners is a Nairobi-based impact investment firm founded in 2007 by a European ultra-high-net-worth family, with operations spanning 27+ African countries. Led by CEO Rosanne Whalley (17 years investing in Africa), the firm has committed over $60 million in investments and deployed more than $120 million in debt financing since 2020, building a portfolio of 35+ businesses across clean energy, fintech, agriculture, and financial inclusion.

The firm's evolution tells an important story about African capital markets. AHL started as an equity investor, backing companies like M-KOPA Solar, Twiga Foods, Burn, and Powergen Renewable Energy at the seed and Series A stage. Around 2020, the team shifted its primary strategy toward private credit, concluding that "debt recycles faster than equity in African markets, the returns are more predictable, and the liquidity profile lets you fund more businesses over time." The AHL Africa Credit Fund I secured a $30.5 million first close from the AHL Charitable Foundation and three family offices, targeting financial inclusion, climate action, food and agriculture, fintech, renewable energy, and mobility. The firm's impact footprint includes 11,000+ jobs created and improved access to services for 10 million+ people in lower-income segments.