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Africa.

Navigated.

From delivering insights to delivering results.

Afrika Vantage is evolving and now provides Africa-focused consulting and advisory solutions, supporting international companies with market entry, investment execution, and strategic leadership across the continent.

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Welcome to Afrika Vantage. I'm John Causey, founder and Managing Director. This site is your gateway to exploring our Africa-focused consulting and advisory services. You can also subscribe for free to our widely read newsletter for actionable insights into African markets. I invite you to contact me directly to schedule a complimentary discovery meeting.

Services

meet 

JOHN

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​​​John P. Causey IV is the Founder and Managing Director of Afrika Vantage, an advisory firm and newsletter reaching over 13,000 decision-makers at pension funds, endowments, private equity firms, family offices, DFIs, and corporates. His interest in Africa took root during his service as a Peace Corps volunteer on the Cameroon-Nigeria border in 2002–2003.


In 2012, John shifted his career to focus on sub-Saharan Africa, leaving Morgan Stanley to pursue a Master’s in Finance at the University of Cape Town, the highest-ranked university in Africa and the Middle East. The thesis earned a distinction and assessed syndicated private equity transactions in Africa involving both global and local investors.


Between 2012 and 2016, John advised on over $500 million in investment and advisory transactions across the continent, including facilitating $4.2 million in seed funding for South African ventures at a time when startup capital was extremely scarce. Notably, one of those ventures became Apple’s most downloaded app globally for a month, while another recently raised a $50 million Series A.


In 2016, John was appointed CEO of Novare Group’s Zambia operations, where he established the country office and led the development of three grade-A shopping malls and the Standard Chartered Bank’s Zambia head office. The developments consist of 695,000 ft² (64,500 m²) and were financed through Novare’s $480 million private equity real estate development fund, with debt from Stanbic, Standard Chartered, and the IFC.

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Additionally, during his tenure in Zambia John led the origination and signed the largest lease by economic value in Novare’s history—the head office lease with Standard Chartered Bank Zambia. He also originated and led the transaction for Novare’s first and only investment from the IFC, structured as debt financing for two shopping mall developments.


In 2024, John returned to Novare Group as interim CEO of its West Africa operations, based in Lagos. In a short period, he originated and closed a $100 million joint venture between Novare and a U.S. technology firm (i.e., ReElement) to bring critical and rare earth refining capacity to Africa. The transaction marked Novare’s most significant milestone since the launch of its private equity funds a decade earlier. Additionally, he implemented a pipeline management system, trained key staff, secured an external building management mandate, and devised and led the spin-off transaction of Novare’s shared office platform into NovaHUB.

 

Education:

 

  • Master’s in Finance, University of Cape Town

  • MBA, International Business Concentration, Northern Kentucky University

  • Certificate in Commercial Real Estate Analysis & Investment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • Juris Doctor, Chase College of Law, North Carolina & Arizona Bar Admissions (Inactive)

  • Bachelor’s in Psychology, University of Louisville

Services

Afrika Vantage offers a suite of Africa-focused consulting and advisory services, leveraging a network of experienced experts and trusted local partners. We blend deep market insight with entrepreneurial execution to help clients enter, invest in, and scale across African markets.

Market Entry

Enter and trade outside of Africa with confidence. Our market entry services support international companies entering Africa and African businesses looking to access global markets. We offer opportunity assessment, regulatory guidance, local partner development, and tailored go-to-market strategies across key African economies.

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Fundraising and Transaction Support

Afrika Vantage supports deal scouting, structuring, and transaction execution across Africa. Primarily serving buy-side clients, we help investors, corporates, and startups navigate cross-border M&A and investment transactions. On the sell-side, we assist companies in preparing for capital raises and engaging effectively with interested investors.

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Outsourced Africa CEO

Senior-level executive support for companies exploring or entering African markets. Our Outsourced Africa CEO service offers strategic leadership, market exploration, and board-level reporting, without the commitment a full-time hire. This solution is ideal for global firms seeking seasoned Africa-focused leadership while maintaining flexibility and controlling overhead.

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Board & Director Services

Experienced board and advisory support for Africa-focused businesses and investors. Services include independent directorships, board governance, strategic oversight, and stakeholder engagement across complex African markets.

Newsletter

Newsletter

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Join over 13,000 executives and investors who rely on Afrika Vantage's newsletter for actionable insights on doing business and investing across Africa. No fluff, no spin, just clear, practical analysis from experts who understand the continent.

 

Get timely updates on strategic developments like the Lobito Corridor in our “Thoughts on the Corridor” section, plus regular insights on broader African market trends through our regular “Afrika Vantage” updates.

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how the newsletter 
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Subscribe for Free to Afrika Vantage

Sign-up for free and join our community of Africa-focused business people and investors. You will receive periodic emails with information to help you make more successful investments in sub-Saharan Africa.

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2

Learn how to see Africa opportunities better

More than 13,000 individuals have subscribed for good reason!  The subscribers include decision makers at pension funds, endowments, private equity funds, family offices, DFIs, corporates, and similar entities.

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3

Unlock expert status and teach and share with others

We learn together, do business together, and support each other in challenging markets where relationships and alignment of interests matter. 

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