IFC announced that it will invest in the first close of Mediterrania Capital Partners' Mediterrania MC IV fund on Wednesday to support the development of medium-sized companies in Africa, with a special focus on firms run or led by women. Mediterrania IV will provide essential growth capital to medium-sized enterprises working in the healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods, financial services, and manufacturing sectors, all sectors vital to the development of African economies. IFC will make an equity investment of up to €25m in the fund, with the option to invest an additional €20m. IFC's long-standing partnership with Mediterrania represents the organizations' shared strategy of supporting medium-sized enterprises in Africa, helping them grow, reach new markets, and create jobs. The fund will invest mostly in North Africa, with up to 25% of its capital allocated to West and Central Africa. With a target size of €350m, the fund will support the expansion of dynamic, growing companies with an annual turnover of between €20m and €300m. The fund will invest at least 25% of its capital in businesses owned or led by women. In both the Middle East and Africa, only six percent of all private equity capital is allocated to women-led businesses. "We are very happy to continue to count on IFC's support to our funds," said Albert Alsina, Founder and CEO of Mediterrania Capital Partners. "With IFC, we share the same objectives to achieve solid returns and liquidity combined with a strong commitment to delivering real and measurable impact on societies and the environment. Thanks to IFC's trust in our investments, we are helping thousands of people in Africa to have a better life." "IFC's partnership with Mediterrania is supporting the growth of dynamic medium-sized enterprises, important drivers of growth in economies across Africa," said Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa. "This fund will bring much-needed capital to young businesses, helping them create jobs, reach new markets, and provide goods and services across a number of sectors." "This signing ceremony supports IFC efforts with Mediterrania to boost development in manufacturing, finance, and healthcare not only in Egypt but also in north and sub-Saharan Africa, which compliments the World Bank Group's Country Partnership Framework (CPF) that addresses regional integration while unlocking opportunities in Africa. Through this partnership, there is more potential to share knowledge and success stories within the continent to accelerate economic growth and poverty reduction, as we work to create an enabling business environment, in collaboration with the private sector," said Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat. Mediterrania takes a hands-on investment approach, with a local presence in Morocco, Egypt, and Côte d'Ivoire, providing its portfolio companies with financial, strategic, and operational support to help them become national or regional leaders. Mediterrania Capital's portfolio companies employ more than 20,000 people. IFC will also provide training and advisory support to help Mediterrania improve the gender diversity of its investment team and portfolio companies. The new investment is IFC's third commitment to funds managed by Mediterrania Capital. IFC previously invested in Mediterrania II in 2013 and Mediterrania III in 2017.
