Five African PE and VC moves in May 2025
African private equity and venture capital transactions, as featured in our May 2025 Dealmaker’s Log.
We highlight five African private equity and venture capital transactions, as featured in our May 2025 Dealmaker’s Log, a database of reported investment deals, exits, and fundraising milestones. Subscribe to this service here
1. New Actis fund closes at $1.7bn
Actis, a growth markets investor in infrastructure, has completed fundraising for its second Actis Long Life Infrastructure Fund, with $1.7 billion of commitments.
The Actis long life infrastructure strategy invests into brownfield infrastructure assets across growth markets in Asia, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The strategy focuses on operational enhancements rather than heavy capital expenditure, enabling investors to benefit from predictable, long-term income with moderate leverage. Core sectors include renewable energy, electricity transmission and distribution networks, district cooling, toll roads, and digital infrastructure. Read the full article
2. South Africa: Sanlam Private Equity buys stake in education business
Sanlam Private Equity, through its SPE Mid Market Fund I, has finalised the acquisition of a significant stake in Boston City Campus, one of South Africa’s leading distance learning institutions in higher education.
“Boston is reaching learners who would otherwise be left behind,” says Paul Moeketsi, managing partner at Sanlam Private Equity. “This isn’t just an education deal – it’s an investment in human capital, in potential and in building a stronger South Africa. Investing in education is how we invest in the future we need.” Read the full article
3. AfricInvest backs East African financial group
East African financial services company I&M Group has completed a capital raise of KES 4.19 billion (about $32.4 million) from the sale of 86.5 million new ordinary shares to East Africa Growth Holdings (EAGH), a Mauritius-domiciled special purpose vehicle backed AfricInvest, FMO, and Norfund.
With this recent investment, EAGH increased its shareholding in I&M Group to 15.14%, making it the fourth largest shareholder. Read the full article
4. Africa50 invests in grain import terminals operator; A.P. Moller Capital exits
The Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (Africa50 IAF) has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a significant stake in Mass Céréales al Maghreb (MCM), a key player in Morocco's grain handling and port logistics sector.
Africa50 IAF expects to support plans to reinforce MCM’s operational capacity and develop new cereal terminals in key African ports.
The investment in MCM was executed through a consortium partnership between the Africa50 IAF and STOA. The consortium jointly acquired the 49% shareholding previously held by A.P. Moller Capital. Holmarcom Group, MCM’s historical shareholder and a Moroccan conglomerate, retains its 51% majority stake. Read the full article
5. South Africa: Kholo Capital and Maia Capital in building materials deal
The Kholo Capital Mezzanine Debt Fund I and Maia Capital Partners have provided R250 million (about $14 million) mezzanine debt funding to Catapult Group. The funding is intended to support growth capital expenditure and to refinance a portion of existing senior debt, thereby enhancing cash flow flexibility as the company enters its next growth phase.
Catapult is a South African manufacturer and distributor of specialised building products, with a strong presence in the commercial, industrial, and residential real estate sectors with a 3,000-store retail distribution footprint. Read the full article
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