Cameroon’s richest man Baba Ahmadou Danpullo launches Danpullo Capital with Kessner

Cameroon’s richest man, Baba Ahmadou Danpullo, has partnered with London-based investment firm Kessner Capital Management to establish Danpullo Capital, a new investment vehicle aimed at managing family assets and funding projects across Central Africa.

The Douala-based joint venture will oversee the Baba Ahmadou Danpullo family’s wealth while channeling capital into high-growth sectors across the region. The move marks a shift toward a more institutional structure, bringing in professional investment managers to preserve and expand the group’s holdings.

Danpullo deepens investment strategy with Kessner partnership

Founded in 2024, Kessner Capital Management focuses on private credit and structured finance opportunities across African markets. The firm was established by Bruno-Maurice Monny, a former banker at J.P. Morgan and BNP Paribas, alongside Benny Osei, who previously worked at Bloomberg and Leifbridge Capital.

In September 2025, the firm launched its first private credit fund targeting African small and medium-sized enterprises. The fund provides both local- and foreign-currency financing across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, and financial services.

Backed by Swiss investment firm NFG SA, the fund deploys capital through direct financing, with each deal undergoing detailed risk assessment. It has already executed transactions in multiple sectors, including Ghana’s gold industry.

Expansion plans underpin creation of Danpullo Capital

The launch of Danpullo Capital comes as Danpullo accelerates expansion across key sectors. In June, he unveiled a 500 billion CFA franc ($869.92 million) investment plan anchored on the creation of Danpullo Air Line, a proposed private carrier.

The airline is expected to connect cities across Cameroon before expanding into the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Construction is scheduled to begin in September, with operations targeted for 2030. The broader investment plan also includes the development of two private airports in Douala and Yaoundé.

Through Bestinver, Baba Ahmadou Danpullo’s business empire spans tea, real estate, agribusiness, livestock, telecommunications, and media. The group holds stakes in Nexttel alongside Viettel Global, as well as interests in Sodecoton and Aéroports du Cameroun.

Its international portfolio includes real estate assets across Cameroon, Nigeria, France, Switzerland, and South Africa, including Johannesburg’s Marble Towers and shopping centers in Cape Town.

Institutional shift in managing family wealth

The creation of Danpullo Capital signals a more structured approach to managing one of Central Africa’s largest private fortunes. By partnering with an experienced investment firm, Baba Ahmadou Danpullo is formalizing capital allocation while positioning the group to deploy funds more efficiently across regional opportunities.

The move reflects a broader trend among African billionaires toward institutionalizing family offices and leveraging external expertise to drive long-term growth and sustainability.