TLG Capital, an African investment firm, is investing $5 million in Liberty & Justice (L&J), an Africa-based swimwear manufacturing hub in Liberia.
Liberty & Justice (L&J) holds the distinction of being the first apparel line manufactured in Africa to be featured in Target’s catalogue and the initial African swimwear brand to secure distribution in major US retail chains.
TLG Capital takes pride in being the inaugural institutional investor in this venture.
- According to a press statement obtained by Nairametrics, L&J, established in 2022, was founded by Chid Liberty, the visionary behind Liberia’s inaugural fair-trade certified apparel factory, and Georgie Badiel Liberty, a renowned Burkinabé model and activist who earned the title of Miss Africa in 2004.
- Known for vibrant and culturally rich designs, L&J’s swimsuits are already lighting up the shelves of over 250 Target stores across the US.
- The business is committed to the highest ethical standards of production and worker rights, including fair-trade, creating meaningful work for 700 Africans to bring African-inspired prints to the world. TLG’s investment will catalyze L&J to expand manufacturing, including the opening of a future factory in Liberia.
What stakeholders said
CEO of Liberty & Justice, Chid Liberty, commenting on the deal, said that he has always been passionate about fashion that is inspired by Africa and made in Africa.
Liberty highlighted the pressing need for job opportunities across Africa. Reflecting on the company journey, he emphasized the decision to initiate manufacturing operations in Liberia amidst staggering unemployment rates of 80% and widespread poverty reaching 87%.
Liberty noted his belief in the transformative power of the apparel industry to not only access international markets but also provide meaningful employment opportunities to local communities.
“We’ve worked with many partners over the years to get off the ground, and TLG has been the best in the business.
They get exactly what we’re trying to do, they see the vision and they are exactly the kind of partner to help African businesses stand out on the world stage. Beyond that, they’re also the kind of people that you want to work with,” he said
An investment professional at TLG Capital, Aum Thacker, noted that the retreat of multinationals from Africa presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for nimble and passionate entrepreneurs to build things in the markets they know best.
“We are beyond excited to partner with Chid, Georgie, and the Liberty & Justice team, supporting their vision of “Made in Africa” being on the clothing tag in shops around the world,” he said.
Thacker said that the deal is the first of its kind for an African apparel company, adding that the company is excited to work with the business to reach new heights.
“TLG has been invested in Liberia for more than a decade and we see that the opportunity is huge, if you know how to navigate the market complexities,” he said.
What you should know
- TLG Capital is a pioneering Pan-African investment firm specializing in innovative private credit solutions that drive economic growth and social impact.
- TLG has made 40 investments in more than 20 African countries in a track record spanning more than a decade.
- TLG Capital last year announced a strategic partnership with OnePipe to extend credit services to Nigeria’s informal sector.
- The firm is injecting N2.25 billion into a collateralized credit facility for OnePipe, a Nigerian financial infrastructure company leveraging technology platforms to integrate financial services into conventional businesses.
- This landmark deal, facilitated by the TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund (AGIF), marks TLG Capital’s 34th investment.
