Private Markets Investment Company

Private capital.
Productive assets.
Long-term value.

SAWYERR is a private markets investment company. We finance and invest in established Nigerian businesses, productive assets and infrastructure.

Base
Lagos, Nigeria
Market
Nigeria & West Africa
Strategies
Credit, Equity, Real Assets, Infrastructure
Focus
Private businesses and productive assets
What we do

We invest where capital meets opportunity.

We identify, underwrite and structure private-market transactions across businesses, assets and infrastructure. Depending on the opportunity, SAWYERR may provide financing, acquire equity, acquire underlying assets or structure a combination of capital instruments.

Our investment approach

The opportunity determines the structure.

We do not force opportunities into predetermined financing products. We assess the underlying economics, risk, cash flows, assets, counterparties and exit before determining the appropriate investment structure.

One business. Three different investments.

The opportunityAn established manufacturer with strong margins. The owner is retiring and wants to exit.
The structurePrivate Equity. Acquisition of a controlling stake.

Financing a business whose owner wants out solves nothing. If the underlying economics are strong and the constraint is management rather than capital, ownership is the correct instrument.

The opportunityThe same manufacturer holds a confirmed supply contract but lacks working capital to execute it.
The structurePrivate Credit. Transaction-backed financing against the contract.

Buying the company makes no sense here. There is an identifiable use of funds, a defined repayment source and a fixed horizon. That is a credit transaction.

The opportunityThe same manufacturer needs a new production line but will not commit its working capital to buying it.
The structureReal Assets. Acquire the equipment and lease it to the business.

Where the asset is more useful than the loan, we acquire the asset. Title provides security and the lease provides the return.

01Originate

We identify businesses, assets and transactions requiring capital or strategic investment.

02Underwrite

We investigate the economics, counterparties, security, repayment source and downside.

03Structure

We determine whether the opportunity is best suited to debt, equity, asset ownership or a combination.

04Capitalise

Where external capital is required, we engage appropriate capital partners.

05Execute

Documentation, funding, acquisition and deployment.

06Realise

Repayment, dividend, refinancing, asset sale or equity exit.

What we fund

Capital against identifiable economic value.

Businesses

  • Established SMEs
  • Middle-market companies
  • Cash-flowing businesses
  • Exporters and manufacturers
  • Distributors and logistics

Transactions

  • Purchase orders
  • Supply contracts
  • Receivables
  • Trade transactions
  • Inventory cycles

Assets

  • Equipment and machinery
  • Commercial property
  • Agricultural assets
  • Logistics assets
  • Energy infrastructure

Acquisitions

  • Majority acquisitions
  • Strategic minority investments
  • Management buyouts
  • Corporate consolidation
  • Special situations
Why SAWYERR

We deploy capital against identifiable economic value, not financial speculation.

Selectivity

We pursue opportunities where downside can be understood and managed.

Structure

We design capital around the economics of the transaction, not the other way round.

Control

Where appropriate, we seek contractual, financial or ownership protections.

Long-term thinking

We prioritise productive assets and sustainable cash flows over speculative returns.

Investment case study

Agricultural asset-backed transaction.

A representative transaction structure. Counterparty details are confidential.

Transaction typeAsset-backed private credit
SectorAgriculture and livestock
Duration104 days
Use of capitalAcquisition, management and resale of physical commodity inventory
Security and controlsUnderlying physical assets, separate account for transaction capital, monthly reporting
Repayment sourceProceeds of sale into an identified buyer network
ExitCapital and return remitted together at maturity
For capital partners

Access to private-market opportunities.

SAWYERR originates and structures private-market transactions for appropriately qualified capital partners seeking exposure to productive businesses, assets and private-market opportunities.

Each opportunity is assessed on its own economics. Participation is subject to qualification, documentation and the terms of the specific transaction.

Let's evaluate the opportunity.

Whether you require transaction financing, growth capital, acquisition capital or a strategic investor, we assess opportunities on underlying economics, structure and risk.