Middle East & North Africa

Ethos and Goldman place bets on South African gaming company(2)

Ethos Private Equity, one of South Africa’s largest domestic buyout firms, and Goldman Sachs are heading a consortium to buy local casino Gold Reef Resorts, in the US investment bank’s first deal in the country.

Ussher welcomes sovereign funds to London

The UK City Minister has said she is inviting the Chinese government’s sovereign fund to London. The funds continue on a path towards respectability after Sir David Walker persuaded the Qatar Investment Authority to sign up to his proposals on disclosure and transparency.

Filmmaker aims to win hearts, minds with anti-private equity films

PEO interviews Robert Greenwald, the creator of a new series of short films criticising private equity, following an earlier PEO commentary about his 'The War on Greed' series.

Sequoia drops Yale after refusal to invest in Asian funds

Yale University has reportedly said that Sequoia severed its relationship with the $18 billion endowment after it declined to invest in some of the firm’s newer, Asian vehicles.

Pan-African infrastructure fund receives $250 million investment(3)

The recently unveiled Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund has received a significant investment from the South African Government Employees’ Pension Fund.

Abraaj targets $2bn for infrastructure fund(2)

Dubai-based buyout firm Abraaj Capital will hold the second close of its infrastructure and growth capital fund in September, and is on course for a final close on $2 billion by the end of the year.

Abraaj targets $2bn for infrastructure fund

Dubai-based buyout firm Abraaj Capital will hold the second close of its infrastructure and growth capital fund in September, and is on course for a final close on $2 billion by the end of the year.

Halabi mulls suing Duke Street over Esporta(2)

French bank Société Générale’s failure to syndicate a £330 million loan backing Esporta pulled the plug on the property tycoon Simon Halabi’s acquisition vehicles. Halabi is considering suing Duke Street Capital, Esporta’s previous owner, and the prior management of the company.

Bain consortium sells sandwich chain

Summit Venture spin-out Mainsail has purchased Togo’s Eateries from Dunkin’ Brands, which is owned by Bain Capital, The Carlyle Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners.

Darby launches $248m central, eastern Europe mezz fund(3)

Franklin Templeton Investments’ buyout arm has launched the largest mezzanine fund in central and eastern Europe.