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Merger and Acquisition

Nigerian Retail-Tech Startup Alerzo Acquires Shago Payments To Boost Growth

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Alerzo Retail-Tech Startup-Investors King

Alerzo, a Nigerian retail-tech startup has acquired fintech company Shago Payments to boost growth. The acquisition of Shago payments will enable the integration of Shago into the company’s payments arm, AlerzoPay.

The new development will provide the informal retail stores access to new digital services such as mobile airtime top-up, bill payments and peer-to-peer transfers.

Founded in 2019, the Ibadan-based retail-tech startup, Alerzo, is an all-in-one technology and services platform that transforms how Nigeria’s informal retail stores operate. Retailers can order stock, have it delivered quickly, receive and make cashless payments, and track store profitability. Alerzo currently works with more than 150,000 informal retail stores.

The startup announced a US$10.5 million Series A round, led by London-based Nosara Capital, in August, and since then has more than doubled its revenues and built a payments business. The latter was facilitated by the recent acquisition of Shago Payments, a fintech startup founded by payments industry veteran Sabastine Enechi.

Alerzo has also expanded its operations to the Middle Belt and Northern regions of Nigeria and now operates in Abuja and Kano. The company plans to serve most of Nigeria before the end of next year.

Alerzo Founded by Adewale Opaleye, said he created the company to meet a core need that his mother, a businesswoman, had at the time.

“I started Alerzo to help my mom, a single mother who ran two informal retail stores to support me and my three siblings. Before Alerzo, she had to close her shop and travel for hours to buy the inventory to stay in business.

“Women are often victims of theft because street boys know retail store operators often carry cash. I wanted to apply what I learned in China to make life better for working mothers in Nigeria.” He said.

Today, Alezo one of the fastest-growing startups in Nigeria, announced that its annualized September transaction volume had grown more than five times since the beginning of 2021, exceeding $155 million.

Commenting on the acquisition, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, the co-founder of Flutterwave and Andela and a member of Alerzo’s advisory board, said that the firm’s decision to serve communities “that are truly excluded” was inspiring: “Alerzo’s focus on excluded but commercially viable commerce communities in smaller cities like Ibadan is exemplary and visionary.”

He also said most businesses “talk a good game” about financial and economic inclusion but then proceed to focus their businesses on commercially savvy megacities like Lagos or Nairobi.

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Merger and Acquisition

Access Bank Plc to Acquire National Bank of Kenya Limited in Landmark Deal

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Access Bank PLC, a leading financial institution based in Nigeria, has unveiled plans to acquire National Bank of Kenya Limited (NBK) in a landmark deal.

The acquisition announced by Access Holdings Plc, the flagship subsidiary of Access Bank, signifies a significant move in the bank’s African expansion strategy.

Under the binding agreement, Access Bank will acquire the entire issued share capital of NBK from Kenyan-based KCB Group Plc (KCB), which also serves as the holding company of KCB Bank Ltd, Kenya’s largest commercial bank.

This strategic transaction is aimed at repositioning Access Bank as a prominent player in the Kenyan market and establishing it as a regional hub for the East African bloc.

The deal with NBK, known for its strong presence and substantial balance sheet exceeding US$1.1 billion, presents an enticing opportunity for Access Bank to expand its footprint in the East African market.

The completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Kenya.

Upon finalization, NBK will be integrated with Access Bank Kenya Plc to form an enlarged franchise, advancing Access Bank’s strategic objectives for the Kenyan and East African markets.

Commenting on the Transaction, Ms. Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc said: “This proposed acquisition marks a significant step in the execution of our five-year strategic plan aimed at positioning the Bank as Africa’s Gateway to the World. The deal with NBK, a historically strong and well-known bank in Kenya with a balance sheet in excess of US$1.1 billion, presents a compelling opportunity to scale up our growth in the East African market. We remain confident that our investments towards diversifying and strengthening the Bank’s long-term earnings profile will deliver significant value for our shareholders, customers, and wider stakeholder groups.”

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Merger and Acquisition

Foreign Investor Eyes 7% Stake in LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc

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LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc is on the brink of a significant financial move as reports indicate a foreign investor’s interest in acquiring a seven percent stake in the institution.

According to industry insiders familiar with the matter, the prospective investor is poised to proceed with the regulatory formalities following the completion of due diligence.

The potential investment is anticipated to provide a substantial capital injection for LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc, paving the way for enhanced operational capabilities and strategic growth initiatives.

However, as of the time of reporting, the specifics of the investor and the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, pending regulatory filings and approvals.

This development comes on the heels of the recent appointment of Dr. Olumide Adedeji as the new Managing Director of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc, effective March 7, 2024.

Dr. Adedeji, a seasoned finance professional with a wealth of experience garnered from esteemed institutions such as Standard Chartered Bank, FCMB, and Diamond Bank, among others, is poised to steer the bank through this potential transformative phase.

While the transaction awaits official confirmation, industry analysts speculate that the investment could signify a vote of confidence in the bank’s prospects and the broader Nigerian financial landscape.

Furthermore, it underscores the appeal of Nigerian financial institutions to foreign investors seeking strategic opportunities in emerging markets.

The move aligns with LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc’s commitment to fortifying its position in the market and unlocking value for its stakeholders amidst a dynamic economic environment.

As the regulatory processes unfold, stakeholders eagerly anticipate the potential implications of this strategic partnership on the bank’s trajectory and the broader financial ecosystem.

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Merger and Acquisition

EnjoyCorp Limited Secures Strategic Acquisition of Champion Breweries Plc

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Champion Breweries

EnjoyCorp Limited, a conglomerate known for its ventures in food, beverage, and hospitality, has successfully secured a strategic acquisition deal with Heineken B.V.

The agreement entails EnjoyCorp acquiring 100% of Heineken’s shareholding in The Raysun Nigeria Company Limited, which holds an 86.5% stake in Champion Breweries Plc, a prominent regional brewer listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is anticipated to conclude in the second quarter of 2024.

Heineken will extend its support to Champion Breweries for a year post-acquisition, ensuring a seamless transition of ownership.

This acquisition marks EnjoyCorp’s strategic entry into the beverage sector, aligning with its vision of catering to the diverse tastes of the African consumer market.

By integrating Champion Breweries as an anchor subsidiary, EnjoyCorp aims to strengthen its foothold in the industry.

EnjoyCorp, known for its mission to enrich life’s moments through quality brands and sustainability, sees this acquisition as a pivotal step in its journey toward transformative growth.

With a focus on innovation and community engagement, EnjoyCorp endeavors to inspire consumers to cherish life’s moments responsibly.

The acquisition underscores EnjoyCorp’s commitment to shaping the future of the beverage industry in Africa.

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