North Africa

Actis closes $2.9bn Fund III

The emerging markets-focused firm has already invested 12% of the fund, which will limit its use of leverage to deals in South Africa and Southeast Asia.

ADIC in $180m Egyptian telecom deal

Abu Dhabi Investment Company is part of a consortium acquiring OrasInvest. This deal follows its acquisition of UAE-based Unitra METS Group, a specialty beverage distributor, last month.

Absa consortium in ZAR 1.9bn take-private

The acquisition of waste management group EnviroServ is reportedly the largest public-to-private transaction in South Africa this year.

Vietcombank appoints chief executive

Gregory Robinson-Kok will take over from the interim chief executive in office since Franklin Templeton acquired a 49% interest in the Vietnamese fund manager.

Black River invests $70m in African coal technology

The asset manager, an independently managed subsidiary of Cargill, has partnered with energy technology firm White Energy on a $101m joint venture.

Denham invests $150m in South African energy

The Sowood Capital spin-out aims to help address the South African energy crisis by backing BioTherm Energy, a South African company that specialises in turning waste to energy. The investment could help supply as many as 500,000 households with alternative energy.

Travant agrees first deal

The West- and Central African-focused firm has invested an undisclosed amount in Dorman Long Engineering, a Nigerian oil and gas services provider. In May, Travant held a $107m first close on its debut fund, which is targeting $300m in commitments.

UK Government lays out new targets for CDC

The development-focused fund of funds has received a revised investment remit from its shareholder the UK Government, which will redirect investment from China and Latin America to Sub-Saharan Africa.

LPs urge GPs to show restraint in emerging markets

Economic turbulence is throwing up opportunities for emerging market-focused private equity funds to make investments at favourable prices, but capital-constrained LPs are urging caution.

Delta Partners expands team

The advisory and investment firm, which is currently investing out of a $76m fund, has promoted Juan Ignacio Cifre to partner and has also appointed two associate partners. Delta was founded in late 2006 by a group of ex-Oliver Wyman employees.