Development Partners International
Development Partners International (DPI) is a prominent Pan-African private equity firm based in London, established in 2007 by co-founders Miles Morland and Runa Alam. The firm specializes in investing in growing companies throughout Africa and currently manages over $1.1 billion in assets across two private equity funds. DPI has built a strong portfolio, having invested in 19 companies across 27 African countries. The firm's investment team, which has over 100 years of combined experience in African investments, is entirely composed of African professionals, with over 40% of its members being women. This diverse team leverages local knowledge, networks, and language skills to effectively source and execute transactions across the continent.
Cofina Mali is a microfinance group that focuses on supporting the growth of informal micro-enterprises in the region. As part of the broader Groupe COFINA, which was established in 2013, it operates in six French-speaking African countries, including Mali. The institution is dedicated to mesofinance and aims to enhance financial inclusion while promoting the formalization of the African business market. By investing in the dynamic private sector, Cofina Mali plays a crucial role in providing financial services that cater to the needs of small businesses, thereby contributing to the economic development of the area.
ABI is the Côte d’Ivoire-incorporated holding company for Groupe Banque Atlantique, a leading West African financial services group operating in the banking and insurance sectors. Founded in 1978, it has been controlled since 2012 by the Banque Centrale Populaire (“BCP”), one of Morocco’s leading banks. ABI operates in all 8 UEMOA countries with branches in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal amongst others.
AXA Mansard is a member of the AXA Group, the worldwide leader in insurance and asset management with 166,000 employees serving 107 million clients in 64 countries. The group is a conglomerate of independently run businesses, operated according to the laws and regulations of many different countries. Despite being written in upper case, "AXA" is not an acronym, the name was chosen because it is short and can be pronounced easily the same way in every language. AXA is present in geographically diverse markets, with operations concentrated in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. AXA’s is also present in Central and South America, Middle East and in Africa via operations in Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Algeria. AXA has more than over 20 year’s continuous presence in Africa. In 2016, IFRS revenues amounted to Euro 100.2 billion and IFRS underlying earnings to Euro 5.7 billion. AXA had Euro 1,429 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2016. AXA Mansard was incorporated in 1989 as a private limited liability company and is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM). The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering asset/investment management services, health management services and pension fund administration through its three subsidiaries AXA Mansard Investments Limited, AXA Mansard Health Limited and AXA Mansard Pensions Limited. From 2004 to 2015, AXA Mansard Insurance grew its turnover at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 55%. In 2016, GWP was NGN 20.7 billion, while net income was NGN 10.9 billion, a 10% increase over 2015. The company has progressed from the 97th position out of 109 insurance companies existing in 2003 to one of the top 4 out of 58 insurance companies in 2016. This growth has attracted the attention of analysts from across the world. AXA Mansard Insurance was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in November 2009. In December 2014, AXA Mansard became a member of AXA following AXA’s acquisition of Assur Holdings (AAH), the majority shareholders in the erstwhile company. AXA Mansard Insurance plc is rated B+ by A.M. Best (2016) for Financial Strength. The Company is also certified ISO 9001:2008 compliant by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for quality management systems.
Private Equity Round in 2011
Eaton Towers Limited is a prominent telecom tower company based in London, specializing in acquiring, building, and leasing shared infrastructure services to mobile and data network operators across Africa. Founded in 2009, the company has established a significant presence in countries including Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Niger, boasting over 5,000 towers. Eaton Towers provides a range of services such as build-to-suit towers, co-location, in-building solutions, small cells, sale and leaseback, and managed services. It aims to address the growing demand for voice and data services driven by increased smartphone usage and the need for improved network coverage in rural areas. By enabling mobile network operators to share infrastructure, Eaton Towers helps reduce capital and operating costs, which is critical in a region where network build and operating expenses are notably high. Its customer base includes major African mobile operators like Airtel, MTN, Orange, Tigo, Vodacom, and Vodafone, positioning Eaton Towers as a key player in the African telecommunications landscape.