Carlyle has agreed to sell Safety SA, a South African testing, inspection, certification and training (TICT) business, to Centre Testing International Group Co. (CTI).

The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.

Founded in 1952 as NOSA, Safety SA is a leading provider of TICT solutions across Africa, the Middle East and China, focused on food and workplace safety. Through its flagship and proprietary NOSA Five Star System, Safety SA assesses and seeks to improve occupational health, safety and environmental management systems for its clients. The company operates 6 food safety labs and 15 training centres and is supported by a team of over 540 skilled professionals.

Through its Carlyle Sub-Saharan Africa Fund (CSSAF), Carlyle acquired NOSA Group in 2018.

Alterra Capital Partners, a private equity firm formed in 2020 by former members of Carlyle’s CSSAF team, became adviser with respect to CSSAF’s investments including Safety SA.

During Carlyle’s ownership period, Alterra worked closely with Safety SA’s management team to reposition the company from an occupational health and safety services provider to an integrated TICT platform providing a range of services to blue-chip clients.

Pieter Erasmus, CEO of Safety SA, said: “This is a significant milestone for Safety. We are delighted to be joining forces with CTI, a global leader in the TICT space. This partnership will help us reach our goal of growing our presence significantly across Africa and the Middle East. I would like to express my thanks to Carlyle and Alterra who have been vital partners and have helped us build the Safety platform into what it is today.”

Eric Kump, Partner at Alterra, said: “On behalf of Carlyle and Alterra, I would like to congratulate and thank the management team and employees of Safety. The sale to a multibillion-dollar international strategic investor underscores the exceptional quality of the business and its people. It also reflects growing confidence in South Africa as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment.”