Vantage Capital, a leading fund manager led by South African businessman Colin Rezek, announced today the final close of its fourth mezzanine fund.
The announcement was made in a recent press release by the company.
The Rezek-led firm, which ranks as Africa’s largest mezzanine fund manager successfully secured $377 million in commitments from a diverse range of investors, including European and U.S.-based commercial investors, as well as renowned development finance institutions such as IFC, BII, SIFEM, DEG, Norfund, Swedfund, Finnfund, and EIB.
Vantage, armed with $377 million in commitments from investors through its fourth mezzanine fund, will persistently empower mid-sized African businesses by offering them flexible capital solutions to catalyze business growth and foster job creation — a testament to the success of its predecessor funds.
For context, the mezzanine debt is well-suited to robust sectors with strong growth dynamics, including telecoms, healthcare, education, real estate, export manufacturing, outsourced services and selective infrastructure such as private power generation.
Vantage Capital’s fourth mezzanine fund has been instrumental in driving the growth and expansion of two dynamic industries. Through strategic investments, the fund has financed Seaton Estates’ residential development project in South Africa and facilitated Compass Capital’s acquisition of top-tier office buildings in Cairo, broadening their real estate portfolio.
Warren van der Merwe, managing partner of Vantage Capital, expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from investors in recent years, emphasizing that it is a clear demonstration of the company’s legacy as South Africa’s pioneering independent mezzanine fund.
He highlighted that since its establishment in 2006, Vantage Capital has made a remarkable impact in the African investment landscape with 33 investments across four funds in 11 different countries, solidifying its status as the largest and most seasoned independent mezzanine funder in Africa.
Under the visionary leadership of Rezek, a seasoned South African entrepreneur and executive, Vantage Capital made its groundbreaking foray into the world of mezzanine finance in 2006 with a $150-million inaugural fund that supported the growth of five South African businesses.
Rezek, who had previously established and successfully run the Rezek Motor Group with his brothers for over a decade, continued to steer Vantage Capital in its mission to support the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In 2012, Rezek guided the launch of Vantage’s second mezzanine fund, a $240-million investment vehicle that supported 13 companies across the continent. And in 2015, he supported the company in raising its third mezzanine fund, a $287-million pool of capital that was invested in another 13 businesses across Africa.
