Adenia Partners, led by Antoine Delaporte, acquires Air Liquide's operations in 12 African countries

Timilehin Adejumobi -

Key Point

  • Adenia Partners acquires Air Liquide’s operations in 12 African countries for €30 million, creating new entity Erium.
  • Erium takes over Air Liquide’s brand and operations, ending the company’s presence in these regions.
  • Founded in 2002, Adenia Partners continues to expand, with rumors of a potential $25 million acquisition of Java House.

Adenia Partners, a prominent African-focused private equity firm led by Mauritius-based businessman Antoine Delaporte, has finalized its acquisition of Air Liquide’s operations in 12 African countries. The deal, valued at €30 million ($32.56 million), ushers in Erium, a new entity poised to become Africa’s premier pan-African leader in industrial and medical gases.

The acquisition, first announced in March, sees Erium take over the Air Liquide brand in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Togo.

The move not only marks the end of Air Liquide’s presence in these regions but also represents a significant strategic shift towards a fully African-managed operation.

Strategic expansion for Adenia Partners

Christophe Scalbert, Partner at Adenia, described the launch of Erium as a landmark event. “Erium’s birth is a milestone on several fronts,” Scalbert said. “It’s the first time an African entity has acquired a substantial operation from an international player in this sector. It’s geographically vast, encompassing activities crucial to the continent’s development. Most importantly, it signifies exciting prospects for growth, which we fully support for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Erium inherits a legacy of over 90 years of operations, serving 12,000 clients across sectors including mining, oil, agro-food, infrastructure, and healthcare. With 400 employees across 21 sites and 40 plants, Erium aims to tailor its services to meet the specific needs of its regional customers while ensuring high-quality gas solutions.

Adenia Partners’ continued growth

Founded in 2002 by Antoine Delaporte, Adenia Partners has become a leading force in private equity in Africa. With a history of over 30 successful investments and $880 million secured across five funds, the firm has demonstrated a strong track record.

Delaporte, who previously built three successful clothing companies in Madagascar, continues to drive Adenia’s growth. The firm is also rumored to be in negotiations to acquire the popular restaurant chain Java House in a potential $25 million deal.

The acquisition of Air Liquide’s operations marks another strategic win for Adenia, reinforcing its role as a key player in fostering economic development across Africa.