Buy · Step 1
Define your acquisition mandate
~10 min
Buyers who skip the mandate buy the first 'interesting' business they see and regret it 18 months later. Write it down before you look at a single listing.
Six dimensions of a mandate
- Sector (manufacturing, retail, services, tech, hospitality, etc.)
- Size — revenue band and EBITDA band you can realistically buy and operate
- Geography — counties / regions you'll actually visit weekly
- Budget — equity you'll put in, plus realistic debt capacity
- Time horizon — short-term cash play, 5-year hold, build-to-sell, etc.
- Operator vs investor — will you run it daily or hire a GM?
Write your mandate as a single paragraph. If you can't summarise it cleanly, you'll waste months chasing wrong-fit deals.
Disclaimer
The information in this guide is provided for general guidance only and is subject to change. Fees, timelines, and regulatory requirements in Kenya are updated regularly. Before acting, please confirm details with the relevant authority (KRA, eCitizen, BRS, county government, or other regulator) or speak with a qualified MyBiashara advisor. MyBiashara is not liable for decisions made solely on the basis of this content.
