Centum Investment Company’s private equity wing targets acquisitions in various sectors of Kenya’s economy.
Centum Capital Partners, a wholly-owned and independently managed subsidiary of the Centum Group, said it plans to invest up to Kes5 billion over the next five years in diverse sectors of the economy.
CPP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centum has in the past acquired significant stakes in various sectors including financial services, fast-moving consumer goods, manufacturing, energy, education and technology.
“We are building a promising pipeline of deal are is in talks with a number of investee targets that we hope to conclude in the coming months,” Fred Murimi, Managing Partner of Centum Capital Partners (CCP).
Fred Murimi disclosed that three of the targeted firms are based in Kenya while two are in neighbouring countries and that CCP has planned to invest at least Kes 1 Billion annually for the next five years.
Murimi was appointed as Managing Director for Centum Capital in August 2015 and heads Centum Capital, a division of the Group, charged with the responsibility of overseeing the execution of the Centum 3.0 strategy through the development of investment-grade opportunities across the key sectors of focus.
Analysts maintain that the COVID-19 pandemic has made valuations attractive for private equity funds as investors seek capital to navigate the new normal and take advantage of emerging business opportunities.
CCP’s current private equity portfolio worth an estimated Kes 9 Billion is spread across East Africa and includes Longhorn Publishers, Isuzu East Africa, Nas Servair and Sidian Bank.
Over the past decade, CCP has deployed Kes 15 Billion into the private equity portfolio and so far realised Kes 37 Billion with the remaining portfolio valued at Kes 9 Billion.
Some of the most recent exits by CCP include Almasi Beverages, UAP Insurance and Kenya Wine Agencies Limited.
Meanwhile, the listed firm has unveiled some strategies to help narrow the gap between its price and net asset value (NAV). The stock has been trading at a third of its NAV.
These strategies include deleveraging the balance sheet and paying down all outstanding debts, smoothening earnings by building an annuity pool and rebalancing its portfolio by re-growing private equity back to around 45.0% of NAV.
Moreover, the listed firm has already begun the process of monetizing its real estate portfolio.
Read also; Centum Post a Kes 1.37 Billion Net Loss in Q12021.