Bridging the gap between Western capital and Africa’s most urgent infrastructure needs.
US-founded and Rwanda-headquartered, Fortis Green bridges the gap between Western capital and Africa’s opportunities. Our core belief is that investments can and should generate strong returns while also laying the foundation for lasting impact.
We take a long-term perspective, creating companies and investment strategies that are durable, resilient, and intentionally impactful.
Who We Are
Fortis Green Holdings is an investment group with a clear purpose: to help shape a sustainable and prosperous future for Africa. We combine capital with hands-on expertise, to build businesses that create lasting environmental, social, and financial value.
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At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: true growth is only meaningful when it is sustainable.
Our People
Founding Partners
Joined by a shared belief in the future growth of Africa and a shared mission to use capital to impact the Continent, Fortis Green was founded by Jonathan Shafer and Michael Spraggins, bringing together more than 60 years of operational and investment expertise.
Jonathan Shafer
Co-Founder and Managing Director
20 years investment and operational experience in sub-Saharan Africa and the US. Started and led three companies in Africa, totaling more than $215 million of invested capital.
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Former SVP of $4 billion alternative investment platform, including private equity and private credit vehicles. Co-Founder & Chief Investment Officer of CommonGood Capital, focused on values-aligned investments across the globe.
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MBA in Finance, Yale School of Management
Michael Spraggins
Co-Founder and Chairman
Entrepreneurial leader with experience building companies in housing, healthcare, and renewable energy across the US and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Founder & Chairman of LifeNet International, a network of health facilities providing more than 10 million patient visits annually across Africa. Co-Founder & Chairman of Fortis Green, developing renewable energy and large-scale housing projects across the continent.
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CEO of Spraggins Inc., a diversified construction supply group. Former CPA with Arthur Andersen.
BS in Accounting, Auburn University.
Operating Partners
Fortis Green’s Operating Partners bring their unique and deep experience and expertise to bear on the company’s investment and operational strategies.
Benito Grimaudo
Operating Partner: Fortis Green Renewables
Nearly 20 years of experience investing in and advising energy & infrastructure projects in 15 African countries, with more than $3B of executed project value across the continent.
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Founding Executive of ARM-Harith Infrastructure Fund; a $250M closed-end African infrastructure fund. Prior experience with Africa-focused investment firms and DFIs: EAIF, responsAbility, IFC, and AfDB. Experience at E & Y and McKinsey.
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MBA in Finance and Accounting, Sawyer Business School
Lance Walker
Operating Partner: Fortis Green Housing
President and Partner of Walker & Company, Inc., a leading construction services firm in Central Florida. Over 30 years of experience delivering projects from concept through completion, with a focus on quality, professionalism, and integrity.
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Licensed General Contractor and LEED Accredited Professional. Second-generation leader of Walker & Company, with hands-on experience across nearly every role in the firm.
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Active community leader, serving on the boards of numerous civic and industry organizations including the Winter Park Library, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Elevate Orlando, Orlando Museum of Art, and Central Florida Associated Builders and Contractors.
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BS in Building Construction, Auburn University.
Corporate Partners
LifeNet International teams up with, and transforms, faith-based health facilities across Africa to provide quality, sustainable healthcare and save lives.
CommonGood is a financial services firm aligning capital to facilitate returns, human flourishing, and meaning. It brings together a team of financial professionals with unique career paths and shared values to positively impact today’s transforming investment landscape and worldview.