Local private equity firm Eos Capital received two international accolades – as one of the most active dealmakers in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 and as one of the Companies to Inspire in Africa in 2016. These are an indication of its early success and the integrity and quality of its team.
Eos Capital started managing its first N$ 461 million fund, Allegrow Fund, in October 2015; the mandate of which is investment into companies that have the potential for rapid growth through the right capital and strategic support.
During 2016 Allegrow Fund took a majority stake in Elso Holdings, a Namibian manufacturer of liquid detergents and paper products; a majority stake in Welwitschia Private School, a private school in Windhoek that caters for mainstream children and those with learning disabilities; and a minority stake in Namibian pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals manufacturer Fabupharm.
Closing these three deals – a high number for a private equity firm in one year – gave it a ranking by the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association’s (EMPEA) as one of the top deal makers in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016. It ranked alongside large established international funds such as Convergence Partners and Voxtra and only 5 fund managers closed one more deal that Eos. This after a long period in Namibia where only a few private equity deals were done. The firm is confident that it has strong pipeline and expects to close further deals within the next few months.
The firm was also recently identified as one of London Stock Exchange Group’s Companies to Inspire Africa. The report is a celebration of Africa’s fastest growing and most dynamic businesses. To be included in the list, companies needed to show an excellent rate of growth and potential to power African development.
The business was founded by the former MD of Old Mutual Africa Mr Johannes !Gawaxab, who serves as Executive Chairman, and Nicole Maske, an actuary who brings international strategic and financial experience and who serves as Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Investment Officer, Ekkehard Friedrich, joined them early on bringing considerable international transaction advisory experience. The incredibly diverse 7-person team is all Namibian.
These accolades are testament to the stellar team that Eos Capital has built and the integrity, professionalism and world-class standard of the business and team. It appears to be the pre-eminent private equity firm in the country, the one to watch over the next few years.