Private Equity in Africa & Emerging Markets: Challenges, Opportunities & Lessons

Private equity (PE) firms raised $4.2 billion to invest in Africa in 2014, more than double the average for the past five years. In 2015, emerging markets investment as a percentage of global PE investment grew to 11% ($33.75 billion), the highest level since the financial crisis. 

Emerging markets, particularly in Africa, are witnessing increased investment from local and foreign investors, and this, coupled with an increased pace of economic diversification, has created employment and accelerated the growth of a new middle class with rising consumer power. In Africa for instance, opportunities now extend well beyond more traditional sectors of commodities and infrastructure, with recent growth being marked by developments and growth across a range of consumer-related sectors, including RCP (retail and consumer products), financial services, and TMT (technology, media and telecoms).

Why is Africa seemingly the new frontier for PE firms? How is the environment in Africa unlike other emerging markets? How can Singapore companies learn from these PE firms in their market approach? What are the sectors of opportunity for Singapore businesses?

Attendees can expect to:

• Gain key insights on the challenges, opportunities and lessons for PE in Africa vs other emerging markets (eg. Raising capital, holding periods, exit options etc)
• Receive pointers on what potential investors can do to obtain co-investors; identification of companies; building alliances; and conducting due diligence in Africa vs other emerging markets
• Understand investor sentiments on Africa and other emerging markets
• Gather an understanding of entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in Africa
• Network with like-minded businesses