February 20th, 2017
The  weekly roundup of Africa's Private Capital news


  

Here's this week's wrap of the most interesting Africa-related private equity, infrastructure and venture capital deal stories, market opinion articles and information pieces.  Thank you being a reader and we look forward to continuing to keep you informed on the private capital investment themes, deals and fund raises in Africa.

As always, we'd be delighted if you shared it with any interested colleagues and/or business partners.  If they would like to receive their own weekly copy in 2017, they're more than welcome to sign up here. 

Finally, if you have any tips, suggestions or questions, please reach out to Allan Cunningham at [email protected]
This week's issue supported by...             
Power Summit DC 2017
The Week in Brief...
Small and impactful is the moniker that could be applied to the private capital deals in Africa last week. There were none of the high-profile, big name private equity transactions that we've seen over the past couple of week, but the impact investment category was well-represented.

At the end of the week, Injaro Investments announced that it has sold its 30% stake in Nafaso to the company's management. Injaro first backed the Burkina Faso-based seed producer in 2013, since when both the company's revenues and production capacity have tripled and it has penetrated other markets in the broader West African region. That performance should point to a decent return for Injaro's $49 million agricultural impact fund, although the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Heading East to Uganda, TLG Capital is backing BAJ Stations with $5 million in debt via its Credit Opportunities Fund. The deal is the seventh investment for the open-ended fund. Up until this point, BAJ, which has been built up by CEO Norman Batuma, who was originally a Shell franchisee until he acquired Shell's Uganda business in 2002, has not taken on any debt. The debt will be used to expand BAJ's network across the country.

Stimulus, the private equity investment vehicle managed by Namibian investment management firm Pointbreak, is backing Khomas Solar Saver. Financial terms of the deal, which sees the $35 million investment vehicle take a $67.6% stake in the rooftop solar photovoltaic systems provider, were not disclosed. The capital is will be used to strengthen Khomas Solar's balance sheet, positioning it well to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector that are being driven by the need for corporations to reduce the size of their carbon footprints.

The IFC is investing $2 million in equity into Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire, the West African Economic and Monetary Union's regional mortgage refinancing company. It's estimated that the West African Economic and Monetary Union zone faces a housing shortage of 3.5 million units. As forecasts of population growth of between 2.5-3.5 percent start to impact the region, the housing deficit could widen. With this support, the IFC hopes to contribute to helping fill the housing gap by enabling access to housing finance, promoting reforms and developing local expertise.

The Twinsaver Group, the Ethos Private Equity-backed tissue manufacturer, has acquired Validus Medical, a manufacturer of hygienic disposable products. The undisclosed deal is expected to close once the requisite regulatory and competitive approvals have been received. Twinsaver emerged from Ethos's $144 million deal to acquire a significant portion of Nampak's South African corrugated paper, sacks and tissue divisions closed in April 2015. The Validus Medical deal helps Twinsaver further diversify its FMCG product offering.

There were no major fundraising announcements this week. However, on the development finance institution front, Rob Davies, South Africa's Minister for Trade and Industry, has announced that the country's National Empowerment Fund is to become a full subsidiary of the Industrial Development Corporation to help meet the demand for funding from black entrepreneurs. The South African Government has identified both the IDC and the NEF as central in implementing radical economic transformation and development policies, particularly in light of renewed efforts to develop black industrialists.

Finally, a couple of corporate and personnel news items were reported. Firstly, DOB Equity is opening a new, larger office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and expanding its team of investment professionals. The move is part of the Dutch Family Office's plan to support its strong growth trajectory by boosting its local presence and its ability to add value to companies in the region, having doubled its impact investment portfolio in both 2015 and 2016.

And secondly, Tanya van Lill has been appointed to lead the Southern Africa Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, better known as SAVCA. She takes over from Erika van der Merwe, the high-profile Chief Executive Officer of the industry association, who is stepping down in order to relocate with her family to the Netherlands.

As always, you can review these and other stories by scrolling down and clicking through to them below.  

Injaro exits Burkina Faso-based seed producer Nafaso in management buyback
Deals News...
Private Equity
Injaro exits Nafaso in management buyback deal
West Africa-focused private equity fund manager Injaro Investments has sold its 30% stake in NAFASO to the company's management. The sale, made on behalf of Injaro's $49 million agricultural impact fund, Injaro Agricultural Capital Holdings, marks a full exit for the firm, which first backed the Burkina Faso- based seed producer in 2013.
Private Equity
Stimulus backs Namibian rooftop solar play
Stimulus, the private equity investment vehicle managed by Namibian investment management firm Pointbreak, is backing Khomas Solar Saver. Financial terms of the deal, which sees the $35 million investment vehicle take a $67.6% stake in the rooftop solar photovoltaic systems provider, were not disclosed.
Private Equity
TLG backs BAJ Stations in $5mln debt deal
TLG Capital, an Africa-focused private equity firm, is backing BAJ Stations with $5 million in debt via its Credit Opportunities Fund. The capital will be used to support the Uganda fuel retail business expand its network of service stations across the country as well as enhance its procurement activities.  
Private Equity
IFC backs West African mortgage company with $2mln
The IFC is investing $2 million in equity into Caisse Régionale de Refinancement Hypothécaire, the West African Economic and Monetary Union's regional mortgage refinancing company. CRRH-UEMOA, as the initiative is abbreviated to, was launched by the West African Development Bank to help support improved housing finance in the West African region.
Venture Capital
Bamba raises $1.1mln seed round
Bamba, a Kenya-based data collection and analytics startup, has raised $1.1 million from several private investors in what the company terms one of the largest and most successful seed rounds completed by an East African startup. Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Portfolio Companies & Projects...
Cement
PIC-backed Afrisam in merger talks once again
PPC, the publicly listed cement maker, has announced that it is in merger talks once again with unlisted rival Afrisam, which is majority owned by the Public Investment Corporation, the South African government-owned pension fund manager and counts some private equity investors among its stakeholders. PPC and Afrisam discussed a possible merger in 2014, but the potential deal was called off.
Manufacturing
Ethos-backed Twinsaver acquires Validus Medical
The Twinsaver Group, the Ethos Private Equity backed tissue manufacturer, has acquired Validus Medical, a manufacturer of hygienic disposable products. The undisclosed deal is expected to close once the requisite regulatory and competitive approvals have been received.
This week's issue supported by...             
BUILDING TOMORROW'S AFRICA TODAY:Financing Infrastructure in the World's Final Frontier Market
 
As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent's leading public-private sector infrastructure finance institution, is bringing together many of the top international players in this sector for high level discussions during AFC Live 2017, Africa's premier infrastructure summit.

The second edition of AFC Live also comes at a time of great global changes and shifting priorities. The time for fresh strategies is now. The event will provide an invaluable platform to public and private sector players to convene, interact, exchange inside knowledge, view opportunities, review recent success stories, study innovative solutions and chart the way forward.

If you are involved in any capacity in the African infrastructure space, you cannot afford to miss this unique opportunity.
Companies, People & Profiles...
Companies
DOB Equity expands Nairobi office
DOB Equity is opening a new, larger office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and expanding its team of investment professionals. The move is part of the Dutch Family Office's plan to support its strong growth trajectory by boosting its local presence and its ability to add value to companies in the region, having doubled its impact investment portfolio in both 2015 and 2016.
Companies
South Africa's NEF becomes subsidiary of IDC
Rob Davies, South Africa's Minister for Trade and Industry, has announced that the country's National Empowerment Fund is to become a full subsidiary of the Industrial Development Corporation to help meet the demand for funding from black entrepreneurs.
Companies
VC firm Acacia Fund being wound up
Kenyan venture capital firm Acacia Fund, which was founded in 1996 with KShs1.9 billion, (approximately $18.3 million today), is set to be liquidated, having fallen into dormancy. The fund counted the African Development Bank, CDC and Swedfund among its original investors.  
People
SAVCA announces van der Merwe's successor
Tanya van Lill has been appointed to lead the Southern Africa Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, better known as SAVCA. She takes over from Erika van der Merwe, the high=profile Chief Executive Officer of the industry association, who is stepping down in order to relocate with her family to the Netherlands.
Current Job Postings...
Reserve this position for your job ads...

AfCD counts the most active, dynamic and experienced Africa-focused investment professionals among its readers. Bolster your 2017 recruitment efforts by advertising your vacancies in this highlighted position to attract the very best applicants.
 Email Teresa Hall today to find out about rates and availability.
Head of Private Equity, Africa Investments at boutique bank  // spencer-ogden.com
Based in Lagos, Nigeria
Portfolio Director, Intermediated Equity at CDC  // cdcgroup.com
Based in London, UK
Investment Executive, Investment Teams at CDC  // cdcgroup.com
Based in London, UK
Senior Associate, Corporate M&A at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr  // linkedin.com
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa
Global Comms & Marketing Director for One Acre Fund  // oneacrefund.org
Based in New York, USA
Private Equity Analyst at OceanRock Consulting  // linkedin.com
Based in Cape Town, South Africa
Analyst at Clifftop Colony Capital Partners  // linkedin.com
Based in Cape Town, South Africa
New to AfCD this week...
Investment Associate at LeapFrog Investments  // leapfroginvest.com
Based in London, UK
Investment Officer at the IFC  // ifc.org
Based in London, UK
Development Impact Executive for CDC's Impact Fund  // cdcgroup.com
Based in London, UK
Director, Macroeconomics Policy, Forecasting & Research at AfDB  // afdb.org
Based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Director, Office of the Senior Vice President  // afdb.org
Based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Upcoming Conferences...
Highlighted Event...             
Africa Financial Services Investment Conference 2017 
London, May 3rd to May 5th, 2017 
SAVCA Private Equity in Southern Africa 
Stellenbosch, February 22nd to February 23rd, 2017 
Powering Africa: Summit 
Washington, DC, March 9th to March 10th, 2017 
Pensions Funds & Alternative Investments Africa 
Balaclava, Mauritius, March 15th to March 17th, 2017 
14th Annual AVCA Conference 
Abidjan, April 4th to April 5th, 2017 
Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa 
Cape Town, April 5th to April 6th, 2017 
AFC Live 2017 
Abuja, May 15th to May 16th, 2017 
19th Annual Africa Energy Forum 
Copenhagen, June 7th to June 9th, 2017 
And finally...
We hope you found the digest to be a useful summary of the major happenings in Africa's private capital markets last week.  We'd love it if you shared it with colleagues and business partners.  They can sign up for free here.  

Best wishes for a productive week - if you have any tips, suggestions, questions or comments, please get in touch.

All the best,
 
- Allan
 
Allan Cunningham
Editor & Publisher
AfCD | Africa Capital Digest

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