The firm’s co-founders, Bruno-Maurice Monny and Benny Osei, are framing the initiative as more than just another lending vehicle.

“We do not just lend; we partner with businesses to build lasting growth,” they said in a joint statement, stressing that governance, transparency, and long-term impact are built into the fund’s DNA.

Osei went further, pointing to the changing financial landscape: as banks reduce liquidity, Africa’s financing needs are “exploding.”
Kessner’s answer, he explained, is to bring structured, patient, and locally intelligent capital designed to drive systemic change.

The new fund already carries significant backing. NFG SA, a Swiss private investment holding, has committed support alongside international partners active in structured finance and private equity.

That international vote of confidence underscores a growing recognition that Africa’s small and medium-sized businesses—often too big for microfinance but too small or “risky” for big banks—represent both an untapped opportunity and a lever for development.

Kessner’s leadership reflects this dual focus on global finance and African realities.
Monny, who built his career at J.P. Morgan and BNP Paribas, brings expertise in structured credit and emerging markets.

Osei, with experience at Leifbridge Capital and Bloomberg, adds a background in multi-asset strategies across frontier economies.

Supporting them is a heavyweight advisory board: Charles Millon, former French defense minister; Colin Rezek, investment banker and Africa finance specialist; Christiane de Livonnière, an advisor on African development finance; and Frédéric Le Bourgeois, an investor in private equity and infrastructure.

The timing of the launch is no accident. According to the World Bank, Africa’s small and medium-sized businesses face a financing shortfall exceeding US$331 billion each year.

At the same time, the continent is forecast to post growth rates above 5 percent in 2025, outpacing much of the world.

Bridging that funding gap could be decisive in helping local enterprises scale, create jobs, and deepen Africa’s participation in the global economy.

Kessner’s strategy leans on a direct lending model, with rigorous due diligence and risk assessment baked into every deal.

But what sets it apart, the founders argue, is its long-view philosophy: this isn’t about quick exits, but about embedding capital that allows businesses to expand sustainably.

That approach mirrors a broader trend in private credit, where investors are moving into markets underserved by banks yet full of potential.

For Africa, the launch of Kessner’s fund could signal a shift in how capital reaches entrepreneurs and growth-stage companies.

Rather than relying on donor-led initiatives or short-term commercial loans, firms may soon have access to long-term partners willing to grow with them.
If it works as intended, the model could inspire similar funds, gradually reshaping Africa’s financial ecosystem.