2–5 months
Buyback / Share Repurchase
The company buys shares back from an investor using its own cash or reserves.
When it fits
Founder wants to retake ownership and the business has the cash flow to fund it.
African & East African context
Highly relevant for East African SMEs that took investment reluctantly and want to clean their cap table once cash flow allows.
Cap table impact
Investor exits; founders' percentage ownership increases.