Tag: private equity

South Africa’s medium-sized businesses have generally proven to be more resilient to the prolonged weakness in the economy, and now are more likely to weather successfully the fall-out from COVID-19 lockdown, than their smaller or larger counterparts.

Budding entrepreneurs are seldom short on innovative ideas; the biggest challenge is usually to attract funding to enhance execution capabilities, which is where venture capital (VC) companies come in. A form of private equity financing, these VC firms fill the gap that many traditional financiers have been unable or unwilling to fund.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters rapidly rose up the corporate agenda in 2019, such that ESG is now a mainstream issue across all areas of corporate life, including in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Our M&A in 2020: The New Normal report takes a closer look at this key trend that has come to the fore in the past 12 months due to increased awareness of climate change, unease with globalisation, and pressure from activists and consumers.

Despite the hurdles, opportunities abound in Africa for private equity - but innovation and a long-term approach are needed.

Read our exclusive cover story titled PRIVATE EQUITY | A LONG TERM VIEW FOR AFRICA by Chetan Jeeva, Head of Specialised Finance (Africa), Investec, as well a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics in the December/January 2019/20 edition of BusinessBrief.

An interview with Ewadele Butler, Senior Associate, Hogan Lovells US and Dr Ivor Blumenthal, CEO, ArkKonsult, discussing the Better Utilisation of Investments Leading to Development Act, or the BUILD Act, which President Trump signed into law in October 2018. This legislation is set to increase investment into the continent, in a bid to counter the narrative that China’s influence in Africa is rising, while the US falls off with its ‘America first’ approach.

Tension between the two economic giants in the world, China and the United States (US), might have a silver lining for Africa. The administration of president Donald Trump is set to increase investment into the continent, in a bid to counter the narrative that China's influence in Africa is rising, while the US falls off with its 'America first' approach.

The African growth story is no longer a fairy tale. Over the past decade multinational companies, private equity funds and infrastructure development programmes have...