Tag: Ashford Nyatsumba

The private equity (PE) fundraising landscape, historically dynamic and competitive, has become increasingly challenging in recent years. As a number of funds compete for limited investor capital, a consistent question we get as fund formation lawyers is: "How have successful asset manager clients secured capital in this crowded market?"

Mauritius has increasingly become a sought-after destination for African asset managers and international investors. This is primarily due to its diverse range of options and familiarity as a jurisdiction of choice for fund structures and investment vehicles, particularly those which permit the segregation of assets and liabilities, such as protected cell companies (PCCs) and variable capital companies (VCCs).

News that Mauritius was added to the EU list of high-risk third countries on 7 May 2020 has understandably caused much consternation amongst fund managers who have fund structures and investment holding vehicles domiciled in Mauritius. While this is certainly a cause of concern, the following should be borne in mind.

2018 was a watershed year in many respects for private equity in Africa. In the wake of the Abraaj collapse and other market fluctuations, we will in 2019 likely see significant shifts in the industry, with key changes to all stakeholders’ strategies expected to emerge.