Actis, an investor in growth markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America, with $6.6bn funds under management, has invested an undisclosed sum in Mundiapolis University, a private university in Morocco, as a bolt-on acquisition to its investment in Emerging Markets Knowledge Holdings.

According to Actis, this investment will strengthen the university’s offering, accelerate its internationalisation plans, and strengthen its important contributions on the continent.

Hichem Omezzine, Director at Actis, said: “Mundiapolis has a proven track record in the provision of quality education and is well positioned to educate the next generation of African professionals and leaders. The Actis investment will bolster Mundiapolis’ quality proposition, cementing its position as a leader in the provision of African education.”

Mundiapolis was established in 2009 as Morocco's full private university.

Casablanca-based university offers 38 accredited degree programs and a strong international profile.

The university claims to be particularly attractive to students from across Africa, positioning it well to grow into a pan-African education provider.

Lotfi El Eulj, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Mundiapolis University, said: “Mundiapolis has grown over the last five years as a leading multidisciplinary university offering some of the highest academic standards, with a strong international offering and high employability. Mundiapolis’ academic model is student-centric in an integrated learning and living environment."

"The trust Actis has placed in our institution demonstrates the remarkable work accomplished by the academic team and the potential of Mundiapolis to accelerate its growth in Morocco and Africa,” he said.

Rick Phillips, Actis Partner, added: “Employers across Africa can see the growth opportunity and are seeking to recruit the best quality graduates. This is driving an explosion in demand for quality private higher education."

“We are excited to be partnering with the Mundiapolis founders and the university leadership team to help strengthen the university and to continue its strong growth trajectory,” he added.

Actis has extensive domain knowledge in the education sector; backing the trend for emerging market families to secure their own and their children’s future quality of life by investing in their education.

To date Actis has invested around $3bn across 23 countries in Africa.