Africa's financial environment is as competitive as other developing and high income regions in some countries, but access to finance remains a challenge, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and the Deposit and Consignments Fund (DCF) of Gabon have agreed to launch a private equity fund for SMEs in Gabon and Central Africa.
Actis Africa Real Estate Fund 3 (ARE3) is looking for investment opportunities across Africa including in Kenya and Mozambique, Africa Global Funds has learned.
AOG has transferred 75.1% ownership of Addax Bioenergy, its sugarcane bioethanol and renewable electricity operation in Makeni, Sierra Leone, to a group of investors led by Sunbird Bioenergy Africa (Sunbird Bioenergy group).
Mediterrania Capital Partners has acquired through its second fund, Mediterrania Capital II, a stake in Université Privée de Marrakech (UPM) to support its development plan.
Safaricom through its $1m Safaricom Spark Venture Fund has invested in Eneza Education, which provides mobile-based education tools for primary students.
The Abraaj Group, an investor operating in global growth markets, has acquired a minority stake in Indorama Fertilizers, the largest urea fertilizer manufacturer in Nigeria, through its Funds.
Synergy Capital Managers through its Synergy Private Equity Fund (SPEF) has invested in Vester Oil Mill, a multiproduct company producing oilseed meals and oilseed crude oils in Ghana.
Silvertree Internet Holdings, a South Africa based business incubator, has acquired a significant stake in CarZar, an online auto-trader in South Africa.
Of the total $1.1bn private equity fund closures in 2016 H1, 46% were dedicated exclusively to real estate opportunities in Africa, according to the inaugural 2016 H1 AVCA report.
Catalyst Principal Partners, an East African focused private equity firm, has acquired a controlling stake in Zenufa Laboratories, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in Tanzania.
The Green for Growth Fund (GGF) has announced a $20m senior loan to ALEXBANK, the fund’s first deal in both Egypt and the region following its recently approved expansion into North Africa and the Middle East.
Accion Venture Lab, the early-stage investment vehicle of the financial inclusion firm Accion, with participation from Newid Capital and Hallmann Holding International Investment, have invested in South Africa-based online lending platform Lulalend.
The impact investing group Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) has partnered with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch an innovative acceleration program in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal.
