At OAO Leap, we believe transformation is not an outcome. It is a discipline.
OUR COMMITMENT
Our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and measurable impact is not peripheral to our mandate; it is central to how we deploy capital, build partnerships, and create value that outlives us.
We recognise that the true power of investment lies not in the transaction, but in the transformation it enables. Through our private equity and venture capital funds, we invest in businesses that combine commercial strength with social conscience — enterprises capable of driving inclusive, scalable, and sustainable growth across Africa.
Every investment we make is guided by the OAO Way and grounded in the Kwanda philosophy — meaning “to grow” in isiZulu. Growth, to us, means dignity in work, balance in opportunity, and stewardship of the environment that sustains us.
Kwanda
Kwanda is not just our name for growth; it is our framework for stewardship.
We build enterprises that thrive responsibly — with governance structures, leadership capacity, and systems that endure beyond our investment horizon.
To grow the OAO way means:
Dignity in work: Valuing every hand and mind that builds.
Balance in opportunity: Ensuring participation across gender, geography, and generation.
Stewardship of the environment: Protecting the natural assets that sustain our collective future.
Our ESG Intent
Our ESG intent is threefold:
1 To Invest Responsibly
We integrate environmental stewardship and ethical governance into every decision.2 To Empower Broadly
We ensure capital extends opportunity to women, youth, and underserved founders.3 To Build Sustainably
We create enterprises that generate measurable social value alongside financial returns.Our sustainability strategy is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — a global framework guiding our ambition to grow inclusively and responsibly.
We are committed to contributing to the following goals:
Each investment we make is assessed for its potential to advance these goals, ensuring that growth uplifts both people and the planet.
Measuring What Matters
At OAO Leap, we measure success by combining Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Impact (ROIm).
Our scorecard evaluates not only financial outcomes, but the influence on all stakeholders:
Livelihoods created
Leaders fostered
Ecosystems strengthened
Impact is not abstract. It is tangible — seen in every job, every empowered founder, every community that grows stronger through enterprise.
Stewardship in Action
We are proving that capital, when guided by conscience and character, can be one of the most transformative forces of our time.
Through OAO Leap, we invest not only in businesses — but in the exponential potential of people, purpose, and progress.
The OAO Women Foundation
OAO’s commitment to dignified growth and women’s empowerment.
The OAO Women Foundation champions education, leadership, and entrepreneurship for women across Africa. Through our flagship initiatives, The Door Openers and the Women in Leadership (WIL) Programme, we create pathways for women to lead, build, and transform their communities with purpose.