IFC flags succession gaps as survival threat to African family businesses

The IFC has warned that succession planning gaps represent a material survival risk for family-owned businesses across Africa, with inadequate governance structures leaving many enterprises vulnerable to leadership transition failures. The finding highlights a systemic governance risk in African private markets where family businesses represent a significant share of SME activity. For private equity and growth capital investors, the warning reinforces the importance of governance due diligence in African SME portfolio construction.