CANEX Creations Inc. (CCInc), the intellectual property investment subsidiary backed by Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), announced its investment in the feature film Clarissa, a Nigerian-produced drama directed by twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri. The film has been acquired for worldwide distribution by NEON, which will oversee theatrical release in the United States and international markets, with NEON International handling foreign sales.

A contemporary reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s novel relocated to Lagos, Clarissa was shot on 35mm in Lagos and Delta State. The film follows society woman Clarissa as she prepares to host a party at her home, only to encounter once-intimate friends from her youth. Over the course of a single night, memories of intricate relationships, passionate love, hidden desires, and lost aspirations give rise to a bittersweet reckoning.

Clarissa features an acclaimed ensemble cast including Sophie Okonedo (Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee), David Oyelowo (Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee), Emmy Award winner Ayo Edebiri, alongside India Amarteifio (Bridgerton), Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso), Nikki Amuka-Bird (Knock at the Cabin), and a broader cast of distinguished performers. The film is written, directed, and produced by Arie and Chuko Esiri, whose debut feature Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) premiered at the Berlinale, won multiple African Movie Academy Awards, and was subsequently released by Janus Films before being selected for the Criterion Collection, a rare distinction that signals enduring artistic significance.

The Esiri brothers produce Clarissa alongside Theresa Park (Per Capita Productions) and Nicholas Weinstock (Invention Studios), with co-producers Nina Gold and Thomas Bassett. Executive producers include Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola-Balogun, Osahon Okunbo, and Jason Reif.

Commenting on the investment, Osahon Akpata, Chief Executive Officer of CANEX Creations Inc., said:

“Clarissa exemplifies the type of globally resonant, IP-driven storytelling that CANEX Creations Inc (CCInc) was established to support. The film combines literary heritage, world-class filmmaking, and African production capacity, while remaining firmly rooted on the continent. Its acquisition by NEON validates both the creative ambition of the filmmakers and the viability of Africa-backed financing structures for internationally scalable film content.”

Reflecting on the film’s creative vision, Chuko Esiri, writer, director and producer, said, “From the beginning, it was important to us that Clarissa be both rooted and resourced on the continent where it is set. Having African institutions back a film of this scale reflects a growing confidence that our stories can be produced from within. Clarissa is a story centered on time and memory, and in bringing it to life, we chose to shoot on 35mm in the hope it will first feel, then stand next to the great films of modern cinema”.

Production financing for filming in Nigeria was provided entirely by Africa-based institutions, led by CCInc. alongside MBO Capital, underscoring the growing capacity of African capital to support globally competitive film projects.

The acquisition was negotiated by NEON’s Kate Gondwe, with UTA Independent Film Group representing the filmmakers.

Clarissa marks CCInc’s continued commitment to investing in high-quality Global Africa intellectual property with clear pathways to international markets, in line with its mandate to catalyze export-ready creative assets across film, television, music, fashion, and other IP-intensive sectors.

• EBITDA increased by an impressive 184% to AED 458.5 million in 2025, up from AED 161.4 million in 2024 – marking the company’s highest EBITDA performance since ADX listing in 2022
• Revenue rose to an all-time high of AED 13.3 billion in 2025 from AED 8.9 billion in 2024
• Net profit reached AED 227.6 million in 2025, up 37% year-on-year
• Commodity transaction volumes increased by 73% year-on-year to 14.2 million metric tonnes
• Total equity reached AED 1.4 billion in 2025, compared with AED 1.2 billion the previous year
• The Board recommended a cash dividend of AED 40 million for 2025

Invictus Investment Company PLC (http://InvictusInvestment.ae/) (ADX: INVICTUS), a leading agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa, today published its audited financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2025. The company delivered its strongest EBITDA performance since listing on ADX, soaring by a record 184% year-on-year to AED 458.5 million – an increase driven by the integration of recent acquisitions, enhanced supply chain capabilities and improved operational efficiencies across the business.

Revenue meanwhile grew by 49% to AED 13.3 billion in 2025, compared with AED 8.9 billion the previous year. This strong top-line performance helped underpin a 37% increase in net profit to AED 227.6 million, up from AED 166.3 million in 2024, while return on equity reached 18%, underscoring the company’s success in enhancing profitability while continuing to expand its operations across key markets. The Board has in turn recommended a cash dividend of AED 40 million.

Commodity transaction volumes also reached record levels, expanding 73% to 14.2 million metric tonnes in 2025, up from 8.2 million metric tonnes in 2024. At the same time, total equity increased 17% year-on-year to AED 1.4 billion in 2025 – a reflection of the company’s improving financial position as it continues to scale.

The year also saw a significant milestone in IHC’s increasing of its shareholding in Invictus Investment to 40% – highlighting continued confidence in the company’s strategic direction and growth trajectory. The deal involved the purchase of 196 million shares in a major block trade valued at 419.83 million. In parallel, Invictus Investment has progressed both equity and debt financing structures as part of a diversified and disciplined financial strategy. It most recently secured a financing package from the Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited (MCB) structured as an acquisition finance and revolving credit facility to fund growth across new African markets.

The company continued to deliver on its growth strategy in 2025 through a number of strategic investments. This included the acquisition of Merec Industries, Mozambique’s largest flour milling company, and the integration of its operations, as well as an agreement to acquire a 65.25% stake in Angata Limitada, a fertiliser blending company based in Angola, with the transaction being completed in January 2026. These developments, along with the operational consolidation of Moroccan agro-trading leader Graderco, in which Invictus Investment acquired a 60% stake in 2024, have further enhanced the company’s sourcing and processing capabilities across Africa. The Board has also approved the issuance of a binding offer to acquire a majority shareholding interest in an agro-food manufacturing company with its primary business in North Africa.

In addition, Invictus Investment entered 10 new markets during the year, including Iraq, Lithuania, Cameroon, Ghana, Madagascar, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe, bringing its global presence to 65 countries. This was supported by strong organic growth across core markets, particularly in Africa, where demand for staple agro-food commodities continues to be strong. The company’s product portfolio was also expanded to more than 30 categories to meet the evolving needs of its global client base.

Commenting on the results, Amir Daoud Abdellatif, CEO of Invictus Investment, said: “2025 was a defining year for Invictus Investment as we delivered significant growth across our key metrics while making strategic acquisitions that have fundamentally strengthened our business. The biggest vote of confidence for us during the year came with IHC’s increasing of its stake in the company to 40% – a major development that both validates our growth journey to date and sets the tone for the strategic trajectory before us. Our priorities are clear, and we have a strong pipeline of investment opportunities in midstream and downstream assets across our core markets. All of this places us in a strong position to continue expanding the business and delivering added value for our shareholders as we work towards our goal of becoming a fully integrated agro-food enterprise and reaching AED 25 billion in revenue by 2028.”

In terms of its sustainability commitments, Invictus Investment continues to build upon the progress set out in the 2024 ESG report published in May 2025 across three core pillars: Environmental Stewardship; Social Empowerment; and Ethical Governance and Partnerships – priorities that are only on track to become more embedded across the business, including within the company’s newly acquired entities.

Looking ahead, Invictus Investment remains focused on furthering its long-term growth strategy through targeted investments in key African markets, with an emphasis on North Africa and coastal hubs, while advancing its goal of becoming a fully integrated agro-food enterprise that contributes to food security in the region.

*Please refer to https://apo-opa.co/3MADzmw for more information.

The projects cover energy, waste, e-mobility and circular economy, food and agriculture, blue economy, built environment and nature‑based solutions, offering investors a rare, investable cross‑section of climate solutions across the continent.

Deal‑ready, technically validated pipeline

AGES is designed to accelerate transactions through focused pitch sessions, curated 1:1 matchmaking and investor briefings that align founders, DFIs, commercial banks, venture funds and specialist partners. The projects on stage are beyond concept: most have pilots, offtake LOIs or bankable feasibility studies. That technical validation, combined with near‑term market demand, creates investable opportunities – provided the right mix of catalytic capital, blended finance and structured risk mitigation.

Elodie Ashdown, Investment Project Lead at VUKA Group, adds: “AGES presents curated deal flow where catalytic investors can unlock both impact and return – from decentralised hydrogen manufacturing to circular industrial solutions and resilient food systems. Now is the moment to mobilise blended capital and turn validated pilots into regional industries.”

Strategic verticals

• Alternative energy: Projects include electrolyser BoP manufacturing, battery assembly, decentralised solar mini‑grids and AI‑driven energy management. These investments address decarbonisation, energy stability and domestic manufacturing, accelerating access to reliable, low‑carbon power and reducing diesel dependence.

• Waste management & circular economy: Initiatives range from pyrolysis and advanced battery recycling to medical‑waste sterilisation and composite manufacturing. These solutions turn waste into traded products and feedstock, reduce landfill pressure and generate measurable carbon outcomes – attractive  to impact‑focused and risk‑adjusted investors.

• Sustainable agriculture & blue economy: Proposals include vertical farming, organic‑waste‑to‑bioproduct systems, traceable small‑scale fisheries, seaweed‑to‑fuel pathways and insect‑based feed platforms. Combined with nature‑based investments – catchment  restoration, urban composting, market infrastructure, these projects strengthen food security, livelihoods and carbon finance potential.

Investor ecosystem & financing approaches

Expected investor participants are well matched to the pipeline’s needs:

• Multilaterals and climate funds: concessional finance and guarantees for large infrastructure and nature‑capital projects.
• Commercial banks and asset managers: project finance and structured lending for revenue‑backed ventures.
• Impact VCs and growth funds: equity to scale SME platforms and technology businesses.
• Specialist investors and sector partners: technical expertise that reduces execution risk and accelerates market access.
• Credit enhancement and local‑currency intermediaries: bridge foreign capital with on‑the‑ground lending.

Strategically pairing instruments to project maturity – from  pilot funding and blended concessional finance to commercial debt and equity – will  be critical to convert validated opportunities into industrial capacity and jobs.

Market context and readiness

Several market trends support investability: declining renewable and storage costs; stronger corporate carbon commitments and regulation; and policy and SEZ approvals enabling on‑shoring of green manufacturing. For higher‑risk technologies (e.g., some power‑to‑liquid pathways), staged financing that blends demonstration and commercial capital will be essential.

“African ecosystems are maturing and investor interest is translating into tangible manufacturing prospects and skilled jobs across the Western Cape and beyond,” says Amanda Ganca, Head of Investment at WESGRO.

Africa’s Green Economy Summit is a practical convening for investors ready to move from commitment to deployment. Founders will deliver concise five‑minute pitches followed by five minutes of Q&A, with curated matchmaking and targeted 1:1 meetings. Institutional and strategic investors are invited to attend pitch sessions, join investor briefings and consider catalytic commitments that accelerate manufacturing, job creation and resilient systems across Africa.

The Africa Green Economy Summit brings together an influential coalition of leaders and partners shaping the continent’s sustainable future — led by the Host Organisation, the African Union, with Sanlam Investments as Title Sponsor, Standard Bank as Gold Sponsor, and Silver Sponsors FSD Africa, Gautrain and UNOPS. Proudly hosted in partnership with the City of Cape Town, and supported by Government Partners including the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Summit creates a powerful platform for collaboration, investment and action — join them and many more as we accelerate Africa’s green growth journey.