Criterion Africa Partners

About The Fund

Criterion Africa Partners is a private equity firm specializing in the forestry sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their expertise lies in equity investments, focusing on acquiring and developing assets across the forestry value chain. They work closely with proven management teams who maintain meaningful ownership to ensure alignment of interests. Criterion Africa Partners is dedicated to rehabilitating existing plantations, engaging in downstream manufacturing, and enhancing wood-based energy generation. They typically target investments ranging from $5 million to $30 million that exhibit potential for catalyzing growth, increasing productivity, addressing new markets, and meeting shareholder liquidity needs. Key investment criteria include partnerships with motivated management teams, companies with over $5 million annual revenue and growth potential, strong customer relationships, and significant market opportunities squarely in the forestry sector. Their approach is centered on long-term economic growth, driven by demographic changes and increasing demand for building materials and energy. Recognizing the inefficient market and mispriced assets due to insufficient information, management, and capital in Sub-Saharan Africa, Criterion Africa Partners leverages their unique investment strategy to identify and capitalize on these opportunities. The team, which is employee-owned and spun out from the Global Environment Fund's Africa Sustainable Forestry investment program in 2017, has over 125 years of combined experience in forestry investment. Their background in industrial processing, forestry, and finance has led to eight investments across five countries. Led by Dr. Ole C. Sand, Criterion Africa Partners has been recognized as a leader in African forestry. The firm, catalyzed by the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, has been investing in the sector since 2001 and is committed to creating value for all stakeholders while fostering sustainable forestry practices. Criterion Africa Partners is headquartered at 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 450, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, United States.