Cauris Finance deepens investment in Jetstream Africa to bridge trade finance gap

Cauris Finance, a private credit fund with a focus on Africa, has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming African trade by expanding its strategic partnership with Jetstream Africa. Jetstream, a Ghana-based logistics and trade finance platform, plays a vital role in helping African importers manage their supply chains — a task often hampered by limited access to formal credit.

This latest investment marks Cauris’s third infusion of capital into Jetstream since 2022, reflecting growing confidence in the platform’s mission and performance. The financial injection aims to broaden Jetstream’s operational footprint across West Africa, enabling more businesses to overcome persistent working capital limitations.

The context is stark: fewer than 15 per cent of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa can access formal credit. For many, Jetstream’s flexible, transaction-based financing model offers a crucial lifeline. Its services support the import of fast-moving consumer goods, industrial machinery, and vital materials — all of which are essential for regional development and economic momentum.

In 2022, Africa’s import volume stood at an astounding US$660bn. Yet, the continent still grapples with a US$120bn trade finance gap, which continues to stifle SME-led growth. Many importers face systemic challenges: they are unable to prepay suppliers, secure foreign exchange, or finance international shipments — barriers that stall scale and sustainability.

Jetstream is tackling these hurdles through a holistic platform that blends digital freight management, customs processing, and trade finance tools. This integrated approach is reshaping the way African businesses move goods across borders and gain access to the working capital they urgently need.

At Cauris Finance, the investment leadership recognises the platform’s potential to catalyse widespread change. Chief Investment Officer Azer Songnaba emphasized the transformative nature of Jetstream’s model, noting the pride Cauris takes in deepening the relationship with a partner that is reengineering how trade flows in and out of Africa.

From Jetstream’s perspective, this continued partnership is more than just financial backing. CEO Miishe Addy-Asare regards Cauris as a thoughtful and consistent ally. The new capital, she explained, positions Jetstream to accelerate its mission — empowering a broader base of SMEs with faster, smarter access to financing and operational tools.