Middle East & North Africa

OPEN & CLOSED

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On the other side of the peak

The total value of private equity activity in Italy soared in the first half of 2008, but by the end of the year deal-doing was largely off the agenda. Reporting from Milan, Andy Thomson asks what happens next

OPEN & CLOSED

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When small steps become giant leaps

Big plans do not necessarily produce the best results. One organisation is seeking to improve Africa's investment climate through a series of achievable initiatives. Andy Thomson reports

Small is beautiful

Micro-finance institutions throughout Sub-Saharan Africa have exploded in popularity as a destination for private equity capital. Can the love affair survive a rocky road ahead? Matt Levin investigates

Why normality is on hold

Limited partners need to be in full possession of the facts before resuming substantial investment in private equity. Andy Thomson reports

OPENED & CLOSED

Africa’s growth gap

Four investment professionals discuss whether funds targeting Africa’s ‘missing middle’ – businesses whose funding needs are too large for microfinance but too small for other institutions – are just development projects in disguise or an investment opportunity not to be missed.

Citadel in Egyptian food bolt-on

The Cairo-headquartered private equity firm has acquired beverage company Enjoy through Gozour, its consumer foods platform. Citadel bought Enjoy from Haykala Investment Managers, a firm founded in 2005 by Egypt-based Commercial International Bank.

Och-Ziff EMEA chief: Africa beckons

Natural resources and black economic empowerment enterprises are providing the firm rich opportunities in Africa, Michael Cohen told delegates at the PEI Africa Forum in London today.