Executive pleads guilty as collapse of $14bn Abraaj hits PE flows into Africa
The ongoing collapse of the giant Abraaj platform in the world’s biggest private-equity insolvency has hit flows into Africa-focused private-equity funds. Former Abraaj managing partner Mustafa Abdel-Wadood is cooperating with New York prosecutors after pleading guilty in a Manhattan court 2 weeks ago. He could face up to 125 years in prison. Abraaj was founded […]
Warning about “less orthodox” private equity debts
Private equity fund managers (general partners or GPs) are using money promised by investors (limited partners or LPs) as security to borrow from banks. The Economist magazine says, in a recent article on the Abraaj crisis, says investors are becoming “warier of private-equity firms’ less orthodox tactics”. The magazine says that GPs use these “subscription […]
Do Africa’s $372bn pension fund assets facilitate inclusive growth and social stability?
Africa’s $372bn pension fund assets – do they facilitate inclusive growth and social stability? Is the money well invested, including capital markets and equities, private equity and infrastructure development? Bright Africa report by RisCura.
Private Equity Africa award winners 2017
Congratulations to all the winners and participants of the Private Equity Africa Awards 2017.
Private Equity Africa – 2016 in review
There were about 100 private equity deals in Africa in 2016, according to Preqin, valued at $3bn, according to figures at the industry-leading Private Equity Africa 7th annual review and outlook.
Tonight – Private Equity Africa 7th Annual Review and launch of report
Tonight’s meeting: Private Equity Africa 7th Annual Review & Outlook Seminar at Thomson Reuters HQ “Generating alpha in uncertainty” features top speakers identifying 2017 trends, including emerging credit funds, deal pricing and activity.
Private equity – good for investing, slow for fund-raising
Fund-raising for African private equity funds was slower in the first three quarters of 2016 compared to 2015, but deal-making was stronger, according to EMPEA.
Africa IPO round-up
Roundup of some recent initial public offers (IPOs) of shares which raised capital for businesses listed on Africa’s stock exchanges.
Ethos Capital PE lists after R1.8bn oversubscribed private placement
Ethos Capital listed on South Africa’s JSE on 5 August after R1.8 bn ($131m) oversubscribed private placement creates liquid vehicle for private equity investors.
Will Interswitch be Africa’s first $1bn tech “unicorn”?
Nigeria’s digital payments and payment card giant Interswitch Ltd could become Africa’s first tech “unicorn” or technology company valued at over $1 billion. Private equity firm Helios is aiming to exit.
Private Equity Africa awards 2015
Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Private Equity Africa Awards which celebrate the achievements of Africa’s top General Partners (GPs) and advisors in 2014.
Insights of private equity in Ethiopia – Schulze Global Investments
Great interview with Schulze Global Investments, the longest-established private equity firm in Ethiopia and run by a family office, with useful insights into the private equity landscape and trends.
What are Africa’s pension funds investing into?
African pension funds in 10 countries already have $379 billion in assets under management and continue to grow. Are there enough opportunities for them to deploy these investment resources most productively?
Private Equity Africa ranks top 10 deals in 2014
Leading website and magazine Private Equity Africa lists the top 10 Africa private equity deals from 2014, with data from Preqin. Top are two telecoms tower deals – Helios leading $630m into Helios Towers and ECP leading $490m into IHS.
“Africa’s largest” Helios III private equity fund to close at $1.1bn
Leading African private investment firm Helios Investment Partners, says it is about to close its 3rd Africa-focused private equity fund Helios III at the $1.1 billion limit, making it the largest fund.
Top private equity conference bring industry leaders together
SuperReturn Africa, the leading African private equity conference, returns Dec 2014, bringing together more than 500 equity professionals, 150 of the most powerful private-equity practitioners and 130 top industry speakers.
Abraaj makes its first private-equity exit in Angola
Private-equity investor The Abraaj Group made its first exit in Angola, exiting its investment in Fibrex which manufactures high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other low-pressure plastic pipe products used in construction.
Top legal conference focuses on Africa infrastructure and natural resources deals
International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Africa Forum on 20 May to focus on innovative financing and M&A for resource and infrastructure investment.
Tunis Stock Exchange IPO is largest listing
The listing of Société d’Articles Hygiéniques (SAH), on the Tunis Stock Exchange on 9 Jan after a private placement and an oversubscribed initial public offer (IPO) is the largest listing on the Tunis bourse, valuing the company at $163.5 million.
Citadel Capital to issue $528m shares
Shareholders of leading investment company Citadel Capital have voted recently to allow the company, which says it has US$ 9.5 billion in investments under control, to boost capital by EGP 3.64 billion capital increase as part of major restructuring.