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.

XSML Invests in Robusta Roasting Facility (Sub-Saharan Africa)

SME-focused private equity fund manager XSML has invested in Café Gbako, a coffee producer and retailer in the Central African Republic. XSML invested from its Central African SME Fund, which is targeting US$25 million in capital commitments. Café Gbako produces and exports Robusta coffee, and plans to use the investment to set up a new coffee roasting facility, which would… Read More

MBK, Morgan Stanley Tick the Right Boxes Amid Difficult Fundraising (Asia)

North Asia-focused private equity firm MBK Partners has reached a first close on its third fund, MBK Partners III, at US$1.25 billion in capital commitments. The fund, which is targeting US$2.25 billion, will invest in controlling stakes in companies based in South Korea, Japan and Greater China. Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia is reportedly raising its fourth Asia-focused private equity… Read More

Shelf Drilling Completes Acquisition of 38 Rigs from Transocean (MENA)

Shelf Drilling, a shallow water drilling services provider headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, has completed the acquisition of 37 drilling rigs, one swamp barge and associated operations from global offshore drilling company Transocean for US$1.05 billion. Shelf Drilling was created with financing from global private equity firms Castle Harlan, CHAMP Private Equity and Lime Rock Partners, and operates oil… Read More

Carlyle Reduces Stake in Brazil’s Qualicorp (Latin America)

The Carlyle Group sold a portion of its holding in Brazilian health insurance provider Grupo Qualicorp, reducing its stake from 17.47 percent to 5.93 percent. BHCS FIP, an investment vehicle owned by Carlyle, sold 46 million shares on the BM&FBOVESPA stock exchange in an operation that was reportedly valued at BRL919.5 million (approximately US$438.4 million). Carlyle first invested in Grupo… Read More

Multiples, L Capital Fund India Cinema Deal (Asia)

Indian private equity firm Multiples Alternate Asset Management and L Capital, the private equity arm of French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, have invested INR2.32 billion (approximately US$41.7 million) in Indian multiplex cinema chain PVR Cinemas. The investment will be used to fund part of PVR’s acquisition of movie theater operator Cinemax India. Following the transaction, Multiples and L Capital, which… Read More

Manipal Hospitals Raises US$100 Million (Asia)

Manipal Hospitals, the healthcare-focused subsidiary of India’s Manipal Education and Medical Group, has received US$100 million from Indian private equity firm India Value Fund Advisors (IVFA). Manipal Hospitals operates 2,000 beds in 15 proprietary hospitals and 2,800 beds in 20 third-party hospitals. The company plans to double the number of beds it manages in its proprietary hospitals to 4,000 over… Read More

Nexxus Capital Announces the Initial Public Offering of Crédito Real (Latin America)

Mexican consumer lending company Crédito Real, a portfolio company of Nexxus Capital, a Mexican private equity firm, held an initial public offering on the Mexican Stock Exchange on 17 October 2012. The offering, priced at MXN22 per share (US$1.72) raised MXN2.2 billion (US$173.6 million), not including overallotment options granted to the company’s underwriters. Nexxus Capital Private Equity Fund III, through… Read More

Shanduka Buys US$335 Million Stake in MTN Nigeria Unit (Sub-Saharan Africa)

South African investment holding company Shanduka Group has purchased a US$335 million minority stake in a Nigerian telecommunications company, MTN Nigeria, from three private investors including West Africa-focused private equity firm African Capital Alliance. Shanduka purchased the stake through its Shanduka Telecommunication (Mauritius) subsidiary. Additional details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Venture Partners Botswana Exits Transport Holdings (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Venture Partners Botswana (VPB), a private equity and venture capital firm focused on Southern Africa, has exited from its investment in Botswana-based transportation and logistics company Transport Holdings. VPB invested in Transport Holdings in 2006 alongside South African conglomerate Imperial Group Holdings and earned a 10x cash-on-cash return multiple on the original investment. Additional details of the transaction were not… Read More

Innova Capital Backs Romanian EnergoBit (CEE and CIS)

CEE-focused private equity firm Innova Capital has acquired a 52.8 percent stake in Romanian electrical engineering services company EnergoBit Group. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was a co-investor in the transaction. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. Read More

IDFC Alternatives Puts US$18 Million in Manipal Servicecorp (Asia)

IDFC Alternatives, the alternative investment arm of Indian infrastructure finance company IDFC, has invested INR1 billion (approximately US$18 million) in Manipal Servicecorp Facility Management, a subsidiary of India’s Manipal Education and Medical Group, which builds and manages student accommodations at Indian universities. IDFC invested from its IDFC Private Equity Fund III and retains the right to invest an additional INR500… Read More

Itaú Fund Kinea Invests BRL100 Million in Health Imaging Group Delfin (Latin America)

Kinea Investimentos, the asset management subsidiary of Brazil’s Grupo Itaú, has agreed to purchase a stake in Brazilian health imaging company Delfin Group for BRL100 million (approximately US$47.9 million). Delfin manages six health imaging clinics in the northeastern region of Brazil. Following the investment, Kinea will share control of Delfin Group with the company’s founder, Dr. Delfin Gonzalez Miranda. Read More