https://youtu.be/LlT5SN64tdY
Transcript
Mrs. Christelle Kupa is the founder of Uhusiano Capital, which is a boutique financial advisory firm based in London (FCA-regulated) with a specialisation in Impact Investment and Blended/Hybrid Investment solutions. As a multi-lingual financial professional with over 15 years of experience in investment banking, alternative investments and development finance, she is well-experienced in impact investment on the African market that contribute to sustainable solutions for growing the local economy. She is FCA-regulated professional with a degree in business and finance.
Throughout the span of her eclectic career, Mrs. Kupa had the opportunity to work for several organisations in financial services, including major investment banks such as J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank, amongst others. As a Belgian national with Congolese heritage, Mrs Kupa speaks multiple languages (French, English, Dutch, and basic Swahili), which allows her to work more intimately across a wide variety of markets, and carefully oversee financial development and philanthropic endeavours throughout Africa.
In addition to Uhusiano Capital, Mrs. Kupa is a trustee for Medical Aid Films, a foundation that aims to save the lives of vulnerable women and children in developing countries by providing innovative training and education through short films.
Q1. Why the name Uhusiano?
So Uhusiano is a Swahili name. Swahili is the language my parents speak in Congo. Uhusiano means bringing people and connecting people together for a positive outcome. It’s about good business and positive impact.
Q2. How was Uhusiano born?
It was born in 2016 and after many years in the city of London working in banks and investment firms I wanted to go solo, in a way do what I’ve been doing for many years but focusing those efforts in Africa. We bring together investors and companies, European investors to discover Africa for different kinds of projects and funding.
Q3. This is interesting, you mention taking European investors into Africa. You were born and raised in Belgium; why is it important to go back to Africa?
Yes I was born in Belgium and obviously from a Congolese descent. Back in 2009, I had the luxury to take a year out [from work] and I wanted to go back into my heritage and roots to discover with my own eyes. It’s one thing to go back on holiday to visit family and be spoilt rotten and then there is another aspect where you discover more, the reality of things. I visited people and companies. I was introduced to many businesses and there is a very strong entrepreneurial atmosphere in Congo precisely in Lubumbashi where I stayed.
I had the opportunity to meet people in the micro finance environment but also the medical side of business as well and because my family is much more involved in medical than business which was also important for me to see, I visited hospitals as well and I saw how things are being done on the ground. It kind of gave me a lot of food for thought…I met exceptional people there that were amazing and I thought how can I actually contribute or how can I help people on the ground to either have a voice in Europe or bring those investors here. I decided to get back to England, think about how to move from Investment banking career, where I was selling and promoting financial instruments that were not very tangible. I joined a firm and did some micro-finance where I was very much involved with Africa in particular and thought why not do the same for myself and be closer. I decided to focus on the continent. I believe many countries there need our help and can benefit. I have so far done some work and due diligence in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, amongst others.
Q4. I’m glad you mentioned due diligence because we all know the misconceptions about Africa and sending money there, what has happened over years with aid and investment, people putting money in projects and so forth. What has your learning been and investors responses since you started?
That’s exactly where our position is, we believe that aid is a little bit of a redundant mechanism of helping the community on the ground. Through what we call impact investments what we are aiming for is when they invest, the investors will get a financial return because money is money but what is very important to us is we also aim for a social return, and that’s where the difference is. With community impact we are able to provide back to investors some social return that they will be able to get some satisfaction because they really care about that.
Uhusiano fits in well because we are promoting impact and sustainable investment and really helping the communities to be lifted up.
Q5. Why do you say aid is a little bit redundant and how do we change the dynamics or perception or pivot the flow of investment?
This is where blended investment comes in. Some part will be aid but in the form of grants. We are able to provide businesses help so that they can develop themselves in a better way for example we can provide a computer or accounting system to a business, by so doing we are physically helping them to grow and not necessarily via equity or lending money. We can also invest training.
Q6. What stages of the business do you invest in?
It depends on the investor. We need to match and convert into flourishing businesses. Can be early stage but also more established ones as well as different types of businesses; private credits, off-grid solar projects and so forth.
Q7. How do you match or find both sides [investors and businesses]?
This is the hard part of working here in London. At Uhusiano Capital we do have a good investor base but in order to find people who are looking to invest, in terms of recruiting in a way, it’s all about networking and word of mouth but we also have people on the ground who can find businesses for us as well.
Q8. So let’s say you get the name of an entrepreneur or company seeking investment. What are the first steps you take to make sure the businesses are credible enough to begin to match them before approaching investors?
We do go through some due diligence process so we have to know more about the company and people on the ground , networking is a powerful tool as well that we use just to make sure that it is viable and investable. We also have a responsibility to the client and ‘client money’ and make sure all of the rules are adhered to accordingly. Uhusiano is FCA regulated and an appointed representative and we have a triple-layer checked by the regulator.
Q9. Looking at Africa’s climate when it comes to business what is your view on where Africa is going?
I think it’s still a very buoyant market with [as every market] some ups and downs of course but there are pockets where there is a high demand for business. At the moment I would say credit is a big topic but also renewable and clean energy are topics and in need in Africa but also in high demand.
Q10. What do you think are the challenges start-ups face at the moment?
The primary burden is raising capital and funds, which is not easy when you are on the ground and you don’t know any investors or which door to knock on to find some investment. It’s about making sure they are connected to the right companies that can represent them in some way in Europe or USA. This can be overcome by associating yourself with the right advisory firm or company that can represent you well.
They need to have a strong business plan, show some track record…it’s important for people to understand not only can you do the business but also maybe show a little bit of what you have been doing. Also to have some skin in the game, if you can show that you have invested in your idea or put something together from the community it shows some credibility for people to believe in your product and ideas.
Q11. On the flip side, what challenges do you think the investors have had?
Knowing the businesses, meeting the right individuals and companies that will flourish and deliver also what is on paper. If a company is expected to deliver X amount of percent per year or per any given time and if you can show that you can provide that to an investor it’s good.
You’ve come from JP Morgan and Deutse Bank to become a Start-Up yourself, how has the journey been for you?
It’s been amazing actually, refreshing, scary at times but I feel that there is a strong demand. People are pleased when I say this is what I do, they have been very supportive and keen to help. There is a gap in the market and there are people looking for these kind of businesses so it is a challenge obviously I don’t have a big team I have to do everything myself which has good and bad but it’s great, it’s new we are getting new clients and mandates.
Q12. What challenges have you experienced either as Uhusiano Capital or as Christelle?
Well as Christelle is probably not having the structure as I am floating myself from printing presentation and organising, sitting in corporate environment you’ve go someone else does the presentations, someone who answers the phone [research and analysis] when you have to do everything your own self it is challenging I am doing it with a smile because I am really passionate about it.
Uhusiano is my second baby because I have my own little one who is 15months old, when she goes to bed this is where my second day starts again I work many hours and I have to put a lot of hours in but I think this is what it takes and I am happy to do it and looking forward to some fruitful results.
Q13. What are the learnings? What would you do differently?
To be honest if I would have done anything differently I would have done this earlier… why did I wait??? but at the same time it is still the beginning, I am learning along the way. I am very grateful because I do have a great team supporting me, I think it is very important to be surrounded by the right people. Those are my takings.
Also don’t be scared to ask because if you don’t ask you don’t get, take it from there to the next level.
Q14. What stopped you from doing it earlier?
My comfort, I was in such in a comfort zone, just being in a structure, not thinking of anything else just doing my job well taking what I need to take and when I close the door at the office that was it.
Q15. What is your advice to investors wanting to fund projects in Africa?
Do it with passion. It is important you Get involved with the part of the business that matters to you. If education or health is something that matters to you then get involved in education or health projects. There are so many different areas, even infrastructure.
Q16. What is your advice to entrepreneurs and start-ups?
Make sure you have a robust business plan and that you are open to constructive critique in your business for you to be able to advance and go forward. Make sure you associate yourself with the right people.
Q17. What’s in store for Uhusiano in 2018?
We are always on the look-out for amazing mandates and projects. We have got capacity to take on work with companies and individuals projects and funds related with Africa.
We are looking to expand and hopefully get more businesses on the ground.
By Desiree Joule-Adam: Start-Up Africa Producer & Broadcaster on www.colourfulradio.com
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/DesireeJouleAdam
Twitter: @desjouleadam
