New Forests, a global investment manager specializing in nature-based assets, has announced a significant investment through its African Forestry Impact Platform (AFIP) into Rance Timber, a well-established forestry and sawmilling enterprise based in South Africa.
Rance Timber, a family-owned business with roots dating back over 100 years, oversees more than 14,000 hectares of sustainably managed pine plantations. The company operates two sawmills and supplies a diverse range of timber products to customers across South Africa’s Eastern Cape region. Its longstanding commitment to responsible forestry practices and innovation has earned it a strong reputation within the industry.
Commenting on the partnership, Yida Kemoli, Managing Director for Africa at New Forests, stated:
We are delighted to be joining forces with Rance Timber, a company that exemplifies excellence in sustainable forestry management. Their deep heritage, operational expertise, and forward-thinking approach align perfectly with our mission to drive impactful investment in Africa’s forestry sector. South Africa presents a compelling investment landscape, with forestry ranking among the country’s leading export industries. The sector plays a vital role in job creation and benefits from robust regulatory frameworks and government support.
Kemoli further emphasized that the acquisition of Rance Timber complements New Forests’ earlier investment in Green Resources, a forestry company operating in Eastern Africa.
This latest investment marks another milestone in our strategy to build a diversified portfolio of high-impact forestry assets across sub-Saharan Africa. Our team is actively pursuing a strong pipeline of opportunities to support the next phase of growth and regional expansion.
The African Forestry Impact Platform was launched in 2022 by New Forests in collaboration with British International Investment, Norfund, and Finnfund. The open-ended investment vehicle is designed to target commercial plantation forestry businesses and related natural resource assets throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on delivering both financial returns and positive environmental and social outcomes.
