Private Equity & Acquisitions
Investing with Intent
Building for Legacy
At OAO Investments, private equity is more than capital — it is character in action.
We acquire and scale businesses with the singular goal of catalysing quantum leaps that transform industries, uplift communities, and create value that endures.
Through OAO Leap, our Private Equity and M&A division partners with founders, family-run businesses, and growth-stage enterprises ready for their next chapter. Whether through strategic buyouts, equity partnerships, or succession-led transitions, we bring more than balance sheets to the table — we bring belief, structure, and a relentless commitment to operational excellence.
We do not just close deals.
We build trust, unlock potential, and scale with soul.
Preserving legacy Empowering leaps
At OAO Investments, we understand that true wealth extends beyond numbers. It’s about preserving legacies, creating generational value, and making capital count — not just for today, but for decades to come.
At OAO, we serve wealth with purpose — because when capital meets character, families don’t just grow… they leap.
Guided by the mission of empowering businesses, individuals, and communities to thrive, the fund goes beyond capital deployment—it is a catalyst for economic transformation, sustainable job creation, and ethical business practices. OAO Leap is an SME-focused investment fund created to transform the South African business landscape, unlocking the growth potential of SMEs in the “missing middle”.
We Direct investment in high-potential SMEs with hands-on operational support to drive efficiency & scalability. We help SMEs build a sustainable path to scale & achieve a competitive edge.
Explore our approach in “Understanding Family Offices in the South African Context”, our latest guide unpacking the structures, opportunities, and mindset required to grow and protect wealth in emerging markets.
We offer tailored private wealth solutions for families, entrepreneurs, and emerging family offices across South Africa and beyond. Whether you’re navigating succession, diversifying holdings, or building your first investment vehicle, our team brings strategic insight, operational rigour, and deep local context.
Kwanda
Kwanda means “to grow” in isiZulu — but at OAO, growth is not just expansion. It means dignified, purpose-driven, and inclusive growth. Growth that uplifts everyone it touches. Growth that balances ambition with accountability.
Kwanda is the philosophy that underpins how we invest, lead and build:
Kwanda is how we scale without losing soul. It is the blueprint for African growth — bold, grounded, and legacy-minded.