Middle East & North Africa

Southern African cleantech fund holds first close

The Tchenguiz family, along with three international development funds are the cornerstone investors in The Evolution One Fund, which has raised 40 percent of its targeted R1bn total.

CBPE in 3.5x chemicals exit

The chemicals sector is proving fruitful for Close Brothers Private Equity. It has completed its second deal in a month, selling BWA Water Additives to Bahrain-based investment bank United International.

First microinsurance PE firm launched at Clinton-led event

LeapFrog Investments aims to provide 25 million low-income individuals in Asia and Africa with access to microinsurance in the next 10 years. The market for microinsurance on the two continents includes more than one billion people.

Connectiva Systems secures $17m

An NEA-IndoUS-led syndicate is backing Connectiva, a US-based company that 'leverages the strengths of India' to provide solutions to the telecom industry.

Norwest and Reliance back Indian e-transaction firm

The Palo Alto venture firm has made its sixth investment in India by teaming with Reliance to back e-transaction company Suvidhaa.

Norwest continues Israel expansion with new hire

Palo Alto, California-based Norwest Venture Partners has hired long-time technology executive Dror Nahumi to support the firm as it moves to deploy increased capital in Israeli technology.

Colony closes debt fund on $900m

The Los Angeles-based private equity real estate firm spent one month raising capital for its distressed credit fund, raising a total of $900m from existing investors. The fund is expected to invest in distressed property debt and operating companies with strong real estate components.

GroFin pan-Africa fund holds $125m first close

The $160m fund is targeting small to middle market enterprises to plug the financing gap between microfinance and commercial banks.

KKR leads second investment in portfolio company Aricent

The $60 million investment, made alongside Middle East investor The Family Office, marks the buyout firm’s second investment in the company, which it acquired in 2006.

Dubai Investments sells stake in M’Sharie

The transaction will help grow the private equity firm's presence in the Gulf region.