ARISE acquires 35% of Aera Group
ARISE Industrial Services (ARISE IS), the pan-African infrastructure developer and operator, and Aera Group, the leading trader of environmental certificates in Africa, have announced the investment of ARISE IS in Aera Group through the acquisition of a 35% stake in the company based on a valuation of €28.5 million.
With this transaction, ARISE IS confirms its ambition to address Africa’s infrastructure gap through the pursuit of green growth; by investing in innovative solutions that support climate-conscious economic development in Africa. As the company accelerates its efforts for a sustainable industrialisation of Africa, this new partnership will help ensure that all its activities, including industrial zones in Gabon, Togo and Benin, are carbon neutral and climate positive.
Aera Group targets the acquisition of 50 MT of CO2 emissions reduction equivalent in 2021 to consolidate its portfolio, the largest for environmental certificates in Africa to date (39 projects contracted in 16 countries). The company has also announced an extension of its trading lines to cover renewable energy production, biodiversity protection and water benefits related products.
Fabrice Le Saché, chairman of Aera Group, said: “This deal is a recognition of Aera’s track record in environmental certificates origination and trading in Africa. In the last five years, we’ve achieved a number of ground-breaking achievements – from the record number of climate projects registered under carbon certification to the record volume of CO2 emissions reduction certificates traded. Together with ARISE IS, we share the same long-term vision of environmental markets. They can unlock massive funding to scale up climate action. Climate needs cash and that’s our focus at Aera.”
Gagan Gupta, co-founder of ARISE IS, commented: “ARISE IS has become a trusted partner for sustainable growth by enabling solutions that address the challenges faced by governments, whilst creating shared opportunities in all our markets. This transaction takes us a step further and is reflective of the values we stand by. We are deeply committed to bring strong added value to all our African partners by certifying and monetising their environmental assets. In this journey, teaming up with Aera is an important step as their expertise and achievements match our investments, our strategy and our vision.”
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