We build, own and scale businesses across Africa.
GSV builds and holds businesses across African consumer, food, wellness and emerging markets.
OUR THESIS
Fewer businesses. Owned deeply.
We build and hold a deliberate few — businesses where we can genuinely move the needle. Not a hundred bets, but a focused portfolio, built with discipline, run deeply, and designed to scale across Nigeria and beyond.
WHERE WE FOCUS
Deep focus.
Not broad exposure.
We build where we have an edge: consumer markets we understand, margins we can defend, and models that replicate across African cities. A focused set of sectors — not a scattered spread.
HOW WE WORK
A disciplined process, from first look to full scale.
STEP 01
STRUCTURE FIRST
Before any capital moves, we get the structure right — economics, ownership, governance and downside. If the numbers or the control don't work, we don't proceed.
STEP 02
PROVE IT
We back what's proven, not what's promised. Whether we're building or buying in, the model has to demonstrate real margins and repeatable demand before we scale it.
STEP 03
SCALE & COMPOUND
Once a business earns it, we scale on systems — expanding across cities and markets while GSV holds control and the value compounds to the portfolio.
LATEST INSIGHT
Our thinking on building in Africa.
INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK
The Quiet Killer: How FX Exposure Bankrupts Import-Led Businesses in Africa
On paper the business was profitable. Then the currency moved. Why FX exposure quietly kills import-led businesses across Africa — and how margin is the only real defence.
GSV · July 2026
SELECTIVE BY DESIGN
GSV builds and backs a focused portfolio — with the discipline, control and long-term view that compounds capital. If you’re a capital partner or operator who thinks the same way, we should talk.