Marula Foundation
Our vision
The place where you are born and the things you are exposed to (at an early age) are decisive for your access to personal development and adjacent economic opportunities. In this way, the world is a very unequal place and – if we do not act – these differences are bound to increase, which will result in increased human suffering. To our minds, pure philanthropy is not the answer as this is not self-sustainable and often proves ineffective in the long term. Instead, we believe it is important to take chances on entrepreneurs. These tend to be bold, energetic, visionary people who can drive authentic economic development. Therefore, we are working towards an entrepreneurial culture that positively impacts lives and livelihoods in communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Marula Tree (sclerocarya birrea) is a tree indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa and – in this case – symbolises the growth of Sub-Saharan African born talent. While we think that it is essential for the further economic development of the continent that this talent pool receives improved access to capital, we also see that it is often overlooked by investors. Our mission is to bridge the pioneer gap to empower innovative and sustainable businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, we will do this by providing board advisory services, technical assistance, catalyst capital, and access to investors. For every EUR 1 donated to the Marula Foundation, it is targeting EUR 5 of financial investment in a pioneering entrepreneur.
Our mission
Countries
South Africa
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Rwanda
Liberia
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Rwanda
Liberia
South Africa
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Rwanda
Liberia
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Rwanda
Liberia
Sectors
Education
Solutions
Solutions
Agriculture
Solutions
Solutions
Healthcare
Solutions
Solutions
Environmental
Solutions
Solutions
Financial
Inclusion
Inclusion
Challenges of entrepreneurs
Foreign exchange is arguably the most important part of the risk equation for any business operating in the abovementioned countries.
Currency risk
Given the complexity of capacity challenges across governments and high poverty in many countries in Africa, investors and entrepreneurs alike are vulnerable to political instability fuelled by societal inequalities.
Political risk
These challenges vary from access to (consistent) energy, access to (consistent) internet, bad roads, inefficient harbours, and tedious bureaucracy.
Reliable infrastructure
Though education outcomes are steadily improving across the continent, entrepreneurs still struggle to find adequate talent needed to grow their businesses.
Access to talent
Banks require security rights, and tend to charge interest rates of 20-30%. The typical entrepreneur does not have access to private investors either.
Access to capital
Corruption
Entrepreneurs in Africa need strong business integrity standards and networks to navigate the pressures of a business environment that may invite corruption.
Barriers to investors
Even if the entrepreneur performs very well, all returns on investment may be lost due to currency inflation. Percentages may vary between 10-30%.
Currency risk
Like for the entrepreneurs, political risk is a major concern for investors.
Political risk
As the entrepreneurs operate in challenging environments, there is an increased risk of failure. Also, there is limited options to agree on security rights.
Repayment risk
These costs include due diligence costs, lawyers' fees, local registration fees, and banking fees.
Transaction costs
Our solutions
Board
Advisors
Advisors
Access to
Investors
Investors
Catalyst
Capital
Capital
Technical
Assistance
Assistance
Funding
Private individuals
Corporate philanthropy
Non-governmental organisations
Governments
Marula Foundation
If you are considering making a donation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Elvira de Jong and/or Axel M. Addy at:
Please be informed that the Dutch tax authorities have been requested to grant us the ANBI status for Dutch tax purposes, and that further details will be included here shortly.
If you are considering making a donation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Elvira de Jong and/or Axel M. Addy at:
Please be informed that the Dutch tax authorities have been requested to grant us the ANBI status for Dutch tax purposes, and that further details will be included here shortly.
Marula Foundation
Governments
Non-governmental organisations
Corporate philanthropy
Private individuals
Funding
Founders and Board Members
Axel M. Addy
Former Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chief Negotiator of Liberia's Accession to the WTO. CEO of Ecocap Investment Group and current host of the WTO's first podcast on Trade for Peace. International Trade Consultant and Global Advocate for Trade for Peace and Development in Least Developed Countries. SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
Elvira de Jong
Experienced corporate lawyer, board advisor and start-up mentor. Knowledgeable on corporate governance, boardroom counselling, mergers and acquisitions, contracting and impact investing in Africa. Acted as a mentor to entrepreneurs at the Entrepreneurship World Cup, the Oxford Social Entrepreneurship Programme and the Africa Innovation Fellowship. Work experience in the Netherlands, France and Kenya. SBS Oxford EMBA candidate, and regular speaker on impact investing and investment readiness.
Michael Delefes
Over 14 years of experience in banking and asset management. Specializing in alternative investment strategies ranging from public to private equity. Michael has worked all over the world spending a great deal of time in South East Asia, China and the Middle East. Most recently Michael worked for CastleMill Equity Partners focusing on UK small and medium cap buyouts. SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
Xueming Zhao
Bank executive and Treasurer. Currently serving as Senior Vice President and Treasurer at a Canadian bank heading up the functions of capital market, liquidity, alternative funding, capital management, ALM, and balance sheet strategy. Also serves as the chair of the pension committee. Expertise in derivatives and fixed income, pension, and strategy. Work experience in the US, Canada, and China. SBS Oxford EMBA graduate.
Nontya Mtshaulana
Financial services professional with 14 years experience in risk management, audit, financial due diligence, valuations and ALM/Treasury. Work experience in Johannesburg, New York and Amsterdam. Extensive knowledge in risk management, IFRS, audit, M&A, valuations and banking related topics. Currently Programme Manager of ABN AMRO's Sustainable Finance Regulation programme, responsible for bank-wide implementation of amongst others the EU Taxonomy, NFRD, EBA LOM (ESG) and the ECB Guide on Climate-related and Environmental risks. Fluent in Dutch and English, and basic proficiency of Xhosa.
