Having survived the Occupy-ocalypse, the peHUB First Read takes on more weighty matters, like Colombian hookers and secret trips to Kabul.

Globeleq, a London-based emerging markets power company owned by CDC Group (managed by the emerging market investor Actis), has acquired the 44 MW Eolo wind project in Nicaragua, which is in the final stages of its submission as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol; the title will enable it to earn carbon [...]

For PE investors, Africa may be the best-kept secret

Emerging markets private equity firm Actis is looking to invest around $300 million annually in Africa, writes Reuters. Actis aims for individual investments of $50 million which means it focuses on Africa’s biggest economies – South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria where there are more opportunities for bigger deals, writes Reuters. Reuters – Emerging markets private [...]

David Grylls, Nick Luckock and Natalie Kolbe have been promoted from director to partner with Actis, the private equity investor. Grylls, who covers energy, and Luckock, who is on the financial services team are based in London and Kolbe is based in Johannesburg.

Emerging markets private equity investor Actis has announced the opening of the $100 million Ikeja City Mall in Lagos. The retail and leisure development was initiated by Actis three years ago and comprises 27,000 square metres of gross built area and 23,000 square meters of lettable area. The space accommodates nearly 100 shops including Shoprite, [...]

It must be international month in the Washington State Investment Board cafeteria. At its November board meeting, the $79 billion pension system made more than $550 million in commitments to two global private equity managers, including $300 million for London-based Apax Partners and its Apax Europe VIII LP, and $250 million for Actis’s latest emerging markets offering, Actis Global 4 LP.

Washington State has one of the nation’s largest private equity programs, with $15.6 billion in existing private equity assets. Private equity represents about 25 percent of its main fund’s total assets.

Private equity firm Actis is among a group of investors buying a stake in South African vehicle tracking company Tracker, Reuters reported Monday. Actis and others will pay 3.9 billion rand ($485 million) for the stake currently owned by investment group Remgro. The company makes equipment used to recover stolen cars. The size of the stake was not disclosed.

Private equity shop Actis has added Chester Fong as a senior adviser and Angus Or as director of operations in Asia, Reuters reported. Hong Kong-based Fong, an executive at Colgate-Palmolive, will advise on investments and portfolio management for Actis’ consumer team, while retaining his role as chairman of Colgate’s Greater China business, Reuters wrote. Or joins as a director from Heinz China.

Actis is looking to sell its stake in Gujarat-based Sterling Hospitals, Reuters reported. The buyout shop is reportedly in talks with probable buyers like Fortis Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, the Business Standard newspaper reported. Actis holds an 80% stake in the specialty hospitals chain.