DFIs Bet Big on Africa’s Health with $57.5M Alta Semper Fund Deal

LONDON & CAIRO – January 13, 2026 – In a significant vote of confidence for Africa's burgeoning private healthcare sector, London-based private equity firm Alta Semper Capital has secured USD 57.5 million in commitments for its second growth fund. The investment, led by a consortium of top-tier development finance institutions (DFIs), including the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is aimed squarely at expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare and consumer goods across the continent.

The landmark partnership was commemorated with a formal signing ceremony in Cairo, attended by representatives from the Egyptian government. The EIB Group, which includes the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, committed USD 37.5 million, while the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, pledged USD 20.0 million. This infusion of capital marks a crucial milestone for Alta Semper Growth Fund II, which is targeting a total size of USD 150 million.

A Strategic Push for Resilient Health Systems

The investment from these powerful DFIs is more than just a financial transaction; it represents a strategic alignment with major global development initiatives. The EIB's commitment is closely tied to the EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package, a program designed to mobilize sustainable investments in partner countries, and the EU Global Health Strategy. Both initiatives prioritize the creation of resilient health systems and the enhancement of regional manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the wake of the global supply chain disruptions seen in recent years.

For the IFC, this investment deepens a long-standing relationship, as it previously served as an anchor investor in Alta Semper's first fund. This continued partnership underscores a shared mandate to foster private-sector development as a primary engine for job creation and health equity in emerging markets. By channeling capital through experienced fund managers like Alta Semper, DFIs can de-risk private investment and catalyze growth in sectors critical for human development. The fund's focus areas—primary care, preventative medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, and digital health—directly address some of the most pressing needs within Africa's healthcare landscape.

Tapping into a Market of Opportunity

Africa's healthcare market is a complex tapestry of profound challenges and immense opportunities. Decades of underinvestment have left many public health systems fragmented and under-resourced, with significant disparities in access between urban and rural populations. However, powerful demographic and economic trends are creating fertile ground for private-sector innovation and investment.

The continent's youthful and rapidly growing population is driving unprecedented demand for health services. This, combined with a rising middle class with greater purchasing power, is fueling a market for higher-quality and more diverse healthcare options. Technology, in particular, is emerging as a great equalizer. Digital health platforms, e-pharmacies, and telemedicine services are leapfrogging traditional infrastructure deficits to bring care to previously underserved communities.

It is this dynamic environment that Alta Semper aims to harness. The firm's strategy focuses on identifying and scaling market-leading businesses that can deliver both significant social impact and attractive financial returns. By providing patient, long-term capital, Alta Semper enables these companies to expand their reach, professionalize their operations, and adopt new technologies.

The Investment Playbook in Action

Alta Semper has already begun deploying capital from Growth Fund II, providing a clear picture of its investment thesis. One of its initial investments is in MYDAWA, East Africa’s leading digital health platform. Based in Kenya, MYDAWA tackles the pervasive issues of counterfeit medicines and prohibitive costs by providing a secure online platform for ordering verified pharmaceuticals and accessing teleconsultations. Its model directly improves health outcomes by ensuring drug authenticity and expanding access to professional medical advice.

Another portfolio company, Allmed Group, illustrates a different facet of the fund's strategy. As a global medical device company specializing in blood purification and renal care solutions, Allmed addresses the growing burden of non-communicable diseases like chronic kidney disease. By manufacturing and distributing high-quality dialyzers and related products, the company provides life-sustaining technology to patients across the globe, including in African markets where access to such advanced care can be limited. These investments showcase a dual focus on disruptive, tech-enabled models and the provision of essential, high-quality medical hardware.

Forging Alliances for Broader Economic Impact

The partnership extends beyond international DFIs to include crucial local government support. The attendance of Egypt’s Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) at the Cairo signing ceremony signifies a forthcoming commitment from the Egyptian government. MSMEDA's involvement is strategic, aiming to channel investment into medium-sized enterprises within Egypt's healthcare and consumer goods sectors, thereby stimulating job creation and strengthening the local economy.

This multi-stakeholder collaboration highlights a modern approach to development finance, where international capital, private equity expertise, and local government support converge to build sustainable ecosystems. The fund is expected to do more than just grow individual companies; its mandate includes strengthening local supply chains, promoting high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards in line with frameworks like the IFC Performance Standards, and supporting thousands of jobs across its portfolio.

Afsane Jetha, Managing Partner and CEO of Alta Semper, framed the new commitments as a powerful endorsement of the firm's approach. “Securing commitments from the EIB Group and the IFC is a strong endorsement of Alta Semper’s strategy and track record,” she stated. “These partnerships significantly enhance our ability to scale high-quality healthcare and consumer businesses, accelerate the adoption of technology, and deepen our impact on the ground. Our ambition is to help build resilient, equitable, and future-proof health ecosystems that deliver meaningful outcomes for communities while generating attractive returns for our investors.”