British Firm Invests $40m in Nigeria
Investment
By Uche Obike
Actis, a leading private equity investor in emerging markets, is to invest in the US$40 million development of a new shopping centre in Lagos.
In a statement in Lagos, Mrs. Adiba Ighodaro, Regional Head, Actis, West, announced that the investment will be made through a joint venture company, Persianas Properties Limited, formed between Actis and Tayo Amusan, a Nigerian property developer, which will develop the new shopping centre on a prime site in Lagos.
Ighodaro said that it was her company's first deal of this size in the country since opening its Lagos office towards the end of 2000.
According to her, Actis has underwritten the US$40 million deal which will provide approximately 20,000 square metres of rentable space for over 60 retail tenants.
"Anchor tenants include general store, supermarket and cinema chains from South Africa. Construction is due for completion in November 2005," she said.
Ighodaro noted that Actis has operated in Africa for over 50 years and through its understanding of the local market, and contacts made throughout the continent, has been able to secure anchor tenants from South Africa for the Nigerian development.
She explained that the investment in property is part of Actis ethos to make investments that enable economic development in a region; and investment in retail property is seen as a key driver of economic growth.
"After a couple of years of hard work, we are thrilled to announce this landmark development which will form part of the growing economic activity in Lagos and Nigeria. Named The Palms, the centre will provide a new lifestyle of "shoppertainment" for the people of Lagos, on a par with similar developments found elsewhere in the world. Retail and entrepreneurialism are not new to Nigeria and we expect the South African tenants to be ably matched by Nigerian businesses shortly," she said.
In his comment, Dr Nkosana Moyo, Managing Partner, Africa, said "this deal demonstrates Actis competitive advantage in Africa. Actis office network, international network of contacts and experience within the property sector in Africa has helped secure anchor tenants for this new development in Lagos."
The site is situated on the busy Lekki Expressway in the heart of Victoria Island. The state of the art design is expected to provide an enclosed and air conditioned mall anchored by Game - a South African general store - who have signed a ten year lease. Similar deals have been concluded with Shoprite Checkers for a supermarket and Nu Metro Theatres for a six screen cinema complex.
"I think Actis will be a valuable investment partner. Not only do they have expertise in these types of transactions, they also have an extensive international network, which is already adding value to the development," Tayo Amusan added.
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