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The Carlyle Group Invests RMB530 Million in Beijing Ubox Technology & Trade (Asia)

Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has invested RMB530 million (approximately US$87 million) in Beijing Ubox Technology & Trade, a China-based vending machine operator. The investment was structured through Carlyle Beijing Partners Fund. The company will use the new capital to expand its vending machine network in China and improve its digital marketing and advertising business. Read More

The Rohatyn Group, Baring Asia, IDFC Alternatives and Samara Capital Sell to BNP Paribas (Asia)

Global bank BNP Paribas has agreed to acquire India-based online brokerage company Sharekhan, which is backed by private equity firms The Rohatyn Group, Baring Private Equity Asia, IDFC Alternatives and Samara Capital. BNP Paribas is acquiring 100 percent of the company for a reported INR22 billion (approximately US$344 million). The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Read More

EQT to Exit Bulgaria-based Cable Operator Blizoo to Telekom Austria Group (CEE and CIS)

Europe-focused private equity firm EQT has agreed to sell Bulgaria-based cable operator Blizoo to Austria-based telecommunications company Telekom Austria Group. The transaction, which will be structured through EQT V, is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Adenia Partners Backs Ghana-based Cresta Paints(Sub-Saharan Africa)

Sub-Saharan Africa-focused private equity firm Adenia Partners has invested in Ghana-based auto-refinish and industrial coatings manufacturer and marketer Cresta Paints. The transaction was structured through Adenia Capital (III). The company will use the new investment to increase its exports, expand internationally and develop its products. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Golden Gate Ventures Reaches a First Close for Its Southeast Asia-focused Fund (Asia)

Southeast Asia-focused early-stage venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures has reached a first close for Golden Gate Ventures Fund II with US$35 million in capital commitments. Investors in the first close included Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek, angel investor Eduardo Saverin, European multi-family office Monitor Capital Partners, Singapore’s National Research Foundation, NAVER (the parent company of LINE messenger) and venture… Read More

Convergence Partners Communication Infrastructure Fund Reaches a Final Close (Sub-Saharan Africa)

African investment management firm Convergence Partners has reached a final close for Convergence Partners Communication Infrastructure Fund (CPCIF) with more than US$200 million in capital commitments. The fund targets ICT infrastructure investments in Africa. Investors in CPCIF included: the Public Investment Corporation, the asset management company of South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund; development finance institutions International Finance Corporation, CDC… Read More

Convergence Partners Communication Infrastructure Fund Reaches a Final Close (Sub-Saharan Africa)

African investment management firm Convergence Partners has reached a final close for Convergence Partners Communication Infrastructure Fund (CPCIF) with more than US$200 million in capital commitments. The fund targets ICT infrastructure investments in Africa. Investors in CPCIF included: the Public Investment Corporation, the asset management company of South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund; development finance institutions International Finance Corporation, CDC… Read More

Firstp2p Raises Series B Round from CITIC Capital, ChinaEquity and San Shan Capital Partners (Asia)

China-based peer-to-peer lending website Firstp2p has completed a US$41 million Series B funding round from private equity firm CITIC Capital, venture capital firm ChinaEquity and principal investment firm San Shan Capital Partners. Firstp2p will use the new funds to scale its online lending business and add new business lines in wealth management and consumer finance. Read More

Northgate Capital Acquires a Minority Stake in Grupo Diniz (Latin America)

Global private equity fund manager Northgate Capital has acquired a 49 percent stake in Grupo Diniz, a Mexico-based operator of entertainment centers under the Recórcholis! brand. The fresh capital will support the company’s plan to expand its number of entertainment centers in Mexico over the next five years. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Read More

Mediterrania Capital Partners Closes Its Fund with EUR120 Million in Capital Commitments (MENA)

North Africa-focused private equity firm Mediterrania Capital Partners has reached a final close for its second fund, Mediterrania Capital II, with EUR120 million (approximately US$132 million) in capital commitments. The fund seeks growth opportunities in the Maghreb region, with potential expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa. Read More

Helios Investment Partners to Acquire Crown Agents’ Banking (Pan-Emerging Markets)

Africa-focused private investment firm Helios Investment Partners has agreed to acquire a 100 percent stake in Crown Agents Bank (CAB) and Crown Agents Investment Management (CAIM) from international development company Crown Agents. CAB and CAIM are financial services providers focused on the needs of governments, development organizations, financial institutions and corporates, and provide services in Africa, the Caribbean and Southeast… Read More

The Carlyle Group Agrees to Sell Its Stake in Export Trading Group (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group has agreed to sell its minority stake in Tanzania-based agriculture processing and logistics company Export Trading Group to the company’s management. Financial details of the transaction, which will be structured through Carlyle Sub-Saharan Africa Fund, were not disclosed. Read More