DealMakers AFRICA

African Originals, the Nairobi craft-drinks producer, has reportedly secured a KES129,6 million (US$1 million) investment from Phoenix Beverages to expand local manufacturing and accelerate product development. This is the second injection into African Originals by Phoenix Beverages, which first acquired a minority stake in the company in 2023. The funds will be used to upgrade production facilities and strengthen its cider, spirits and ready-to-drink cocktail lines.

Proparco has completed an investment in BasiGo, a Nairobi-based e-mobility start-up providing electric bus solutions for public transport operators in Kenya and Rwanda. The company locally assembles electric buses, develops and operates charging infrastructure, and partners with bus operators to offer a cost-effective electric alternative to diesel for mass public transport in African cities. The size of the investment was not disclosed.

Safaricom has launched the first tranche of its KES15 billion Tax-Exempt Green Bond under its KES40 Billion Domestic Note Programme, with an option to raise an extra KES5 billion if demand exceeds. Proceeds from the Green Bond will finance and/or refinance the portfolio of eligible green projects, reinforcing Safaricom’s sustainability agenda. Under Kenyan law, interest earned on these green bonds is tax-exempt, allowing investors to enjoy the full benefit of their returns and maximising value.

Nigeria’s Champion Breweries Plc opened its ₦15.91 billion rights issue to qualified shareholders on November 24. The programme, which was approved at the company’s Extraordinary General Meeting on July 24, 2025, covers 994,221,766 ordinary shares at ₦16 per share. Eligible shareholders may apply for one new share for every nine shares held as of September 4, 2025. Champion Breweries said the rights issue is intended to strengthen its capital position and support ongoing operational and strategic plans.

Kalahari Cement, the largest shareholder in East Africa Portland Cement (EAPC), has agreed to acquire the 27% stake held by Kenya’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for KES1.6billion (US$12.33 million). Kalahari said it had signed a share purchase agreement on 25 November 2025 to buy NSSF’s 23,4 million shares at KES66 each, valuing the transaction at KES1.604 billion.

Cairo-based HR tech startup specialising in workforce management solutions, bluworks, has closed a US$1 million seed funding round led by A15, Enza Capital, Beltone Venture Capital, Acasia Ventures and strategic angel investors. The platform addresses blue-collar workforce management challenges through employee scheduling, attendance tracking, payroll processing, real-time salary disbursement, and compliance management tailored for Egyptian regulatory requirements.

The Mauritius Commercial Bank has granted a strategic financing package to Invictus Investment Company PLC, an agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa. The financing package is structured as an acquisition finance and revolving credit facility and will support Invictus Investment’s expansion into new markets while also strengthening its working capital position as it continues to scale its operations.

Falcon Corporation, an indigenous player in Nigeria’s energy and gas sector, has announced that Energy& LLP, a subsidiary of EverCorp Industries, has acquired an equity stake in Falcon Corporation from BKM & S Konsult. Financial terms were not disclosed.

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