GPCA covers the latest fund, investment and industry news across our markets in two newsletters: NewsWatch is a weekly round-up of key transactions across asset classes; the Global Tech Brief is a bi-weekly review of tech transactions and innovations with cross-border applications. Subscribe in the left-hand sidebar.
Access past editions of NewsWatch here.
The Abraaj Group Acquires a Majority Stake in Wine Connection Group (Asia)
Global growth markets investor The Abraaj Group has acquired a majority stake in Southeast Asia-based food and beverage chain Wine Connection Group. The company, which has more than 55 outlets in Singapore and Thailand, intends to expand its footprint in existing markets and replicate its business model in new territories, both regionally in Southeast Asia and beyond. Financial details of… Read More
Cable & Wireless Communications Agrees to Acquire Portland Private Equity-backed Columbus International for US$1.85 Billion (Latin America)
Cable & Wireless Communications, a London-listed communications provider operating throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, has agreed to acquire private equity-backed Columbus International, a Barbados-based diversified telecommunications company, for US$1.85 billion. The acquisition will facilitate an exit for Portland Private Equity, a Caribbean-focused private equity firm that originally invested US$65.5 million in Columbus International in December 2006 through its AIC… Read More
Actis Commits US$65 Million to Tekkie Town (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Pan-emerging markets private equity firm Actis has acquired a minority stake in South Africa-based sports and lifestyle shoe retailer Tekkie Town for US$65 million. The company currently operates more than 260 stores across South Africa that sell a wide range of global sportswear brands. Read More
Actis Commits US$100 Million to Create Brazil-based Insurance Brokerage Platform IT’sSEG (Latin America)
Pan-emerging markets private equity firm Actis has committed US$100 million to create IT’sSEG, a buy and build insurance brokerage platform in Brazil. Actis is partnering with Thomaz Menezes, former CEO of Marsh Latin America, who will be a shareholder and act as CEO of the platform. IT’sSEG has already acquired three existing companies: Torres Benefícios, a corporate benefits broker; Barela,… Read More
Vantage Capital Commits US$30 Million in Financing to Surfline Communications (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Africa-focused mezzanine investor Vantage Capital has concluded a transaction with Ghana-based wireless broadband company Surfline Communications to provide US$30 million worth of expansion capital to Surfline together with a co-investor. The transaction was structured through Vantage Mezzanine Fund II. The capital will be used for the ongoing expansion of Surfline’s 4G LTE network in Ghana, as well as to grow… Read More
Lombard Investments Backs Shrimp Producer Viet Uc Seafood (Asia)
Private equity investment manager Lombard Investments has invested in Vietnam-based shrimp seed producer Viet Uc Seafood. The transaction was structured through Lombard Asia IV. The company specializes in hatchery and nurturing shrimp through several larval stages before sale. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More
Emerging Capital Partners-backed IHS Holding Raises US$2.6 Billion in New Financing (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Nigeria-based telecoms infrastructure group IHS Holding has raised US$2 billion in equity and US$600 million in debt from a consortium of Asian, European and African investors. Existing shareholders, which include private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) and funds managed by Goldman Sachs, also participated in the new financing. ECP originally invested in the company in 2011 through ECP Africa… Read More
African Capital Alliance Invests in Filmhouse Cinemas and Film One (Sub-Saharan Africa)
West Africa-focused investment firm African Capital Alliance (ACA) has invested in Filmhouse Cinemas, a Nigeria-based cinema chain, and Film One, its associated film production and distribution company. The transaction was structured through ACA’s third fund, CAPE III. Through its partnership with ACA, Filmhouse and Film One hope to scale their operations and strengthen their market position in Nigeria. Financial details… Read More
Spark Capital Leads a BRL100 Million Series C Funding Round for Brazil-based VivaReal (Latin America)
Venture capital firm Spark Capital has led a Series C financing round of more than BRL100 million (approximately US$41 million) for Brazil-based real estate portal VivaReal. The transaction was structured through Spark Capital Growth Fund. LeadEdge Capital, a United States-based growth equity firm, joined Spark Capital and existing investors in this round. VivaReal's existing investors include venture capital firms Monashees… Read More
IDFC Alternatives Exits Ashoka Buildcon (Asia)
IDFC Alternatives, the alternative asset management vertical at infrastructure financing company IDFC, has exited India-based Ashoka Buildcon, which constructs and operates roads and bridges on a build, operate and transfer basis. The firm started selling shares in Ashoka Buildcon in 2013 and recently completed its exit with a reported 2x return on its initial INR1 billion (approximately US$22 million) investment… Read More
Vantage Capital Provides ZAR77 Million in Funding to AfriSam (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Africa-focused mezzanine investor Vantage Capital has provided ZAR77 million (approximately US$7 million) for the acquisition of preferred equity facilities in a Pembani Group-owned special purpose vehicle that holds a 30 percent stake of the ordinary equity and payment-in-kind notes in South Africa-based AfriSam, a building and construction materials company. The transaction was structured through Vantage Mezzanine Fund II. Pembani Group… Read More
Vaatsalya Raises Funding from Existing Investors Aavishkaar and Bamboo Finance (Asia)
India-based hospital chain operator Vaatsalya Healthcare Solutions has raised a financing round from early-stage investor Aavishkaar and global microfinance private equity investor Bamboo Finance, both existing investors in the company. Aavishkaar’s investment was structured through Aavishkaar India II. Vaatsalya intends to use the funding to upgrade its existing hospitals, expand its current services, build its management team and widen its… Read More