01The challenge: concentrated wealth
For most of the leading African entrepreneurial families we advise, the bulk of the wealth is concentrated in three places: the business, local real estate, and cash held in local currency. That concentration is what built the success — and it becomes the principal risk once the fortune is established. One sector shock, one bout of currency or political strain, and the whole is exposed.
Diversifying does not mean relocating your life, nor giving up control. It means giving a chosen share of the wealth — often 20 to 40% — an anchor in stable jurisdictions, liquid assets and proven legal frameworks, while the wealth-creating engine keeps running at home.
02International financial management
We build for you an open-architecture allocation across European and international markets: funds selected on quality alone, bonds, equities, and private assets where appropriate. No in-house products, no hidden remuneration from any issuer: the selection is unconstrained, and explained.
The preferred vehicle for this clientele is often Luxembourg life insurance: the neutrality of the financial centre, a “triangle of security” that separates your assets from the insurer's balance sheet, multi-currency subscription, international portability and flexibility for estate planning. Depending on circumstances, it is complemented by French policies, securities accounts and discretionary management entrusted to first-rank institutions — which we select and monitor on your behalf.
03Structuring: holding companies and vehicles
Beyond the investments themselves, it is the architecture that creates strength: a family holding company to house shareholdings and organise flows, a French société civile (family property company) for the family's real estate, and a reasoned choice of jurisdictions — France, Luxembourg, your home country — according to your objectives and the applicable tax treaties.
We work in full compliance: identification of the source of funds, AML-CFT requirements, automatic exchange of information (CRS). It is a regulatory obligation, but above all it is your protection: well-documented wealth crosses borders and generations without a hitch. Every structure is prepared with tax lawyers specialising in Franco-African situations.
04A concrete case
Aristide, 54, runs an agro-industrial trading group in Abidjan (€80m in revenue). His wealth: the business, real estate in Cocody, and substantial surplus cash in CFA francs. Objective: anchor €5m in Europe without touching the operating business. The arrangement built with his advisers: a multi-currency Luxembourg life insurance policy (€3m, diversified allocation), a French société civile for a rental apartment in Paris's 8th arrondissement (€1.6m, partly financed), and a euro liquidity reserve for the children's studies in France. Result: a third of the wealth outside the home region, documented, ready to be passed on — and the business intact.
05Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be a European resident to invest in Europe?
No. Most of our clients reside in Africa. The vehicles we use — Luxembourg life insurance foremost among them — are designed for international subscribers, subject to source-of-funds documentation and regulatory checks, which we manage with you.
Who keeps control of the assets?
You do. The assets are held in your name (or that of your structure), deposited with first-rank custodian banks. Our role is advice, selection and oversight — every decision remains yours, unless you choose to grant a written mandate.
What is the entry point?
We serve a deliberately small circle of families, generally from several million euros of overall wealth. New relationships begin by invitation or referral, and always start with a confidential conversation, without obligation.
ASTERALE is a French firm, registered with ORIAS (no. 23 007 423) and subject to the French supervisory authorities (AMF, ACPR). Our support covers the structuring, investment and transfer of the French and European portion of your wealth, in coordination with your local advisers for the remainder. New relationships begin by invitation or referral, in accordance with the applicable French and local regulations.
A first conversation — confidential, without obligation, in French or English, by video call or in Paris.
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