African private equity deals double in value
THE VALUE of African private equity deals doubled during the first six months of 2014 to its highest level since the financial crisis, law firm Freshfields says.
The poll by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer shows 15 deals worth $1.5bn (£931,000) were completed across the continent between New Year’s Day and 30 June.
Although the value is much lower than in other parts of the world – and smaller compared to its 2007 peak of $7.6bn – it represents a 137 per cent increase on the $621m worth of deals clinched in the first half of 2013.
Freshfields co-head of the global financial investors group David Higgins said: “There will be a few bumps in the road, like there always are in emerging markets. But while political risk in Africa remains, the situation gets easier as more deals are done.”