Private equity group, Abraaj Capital, has raised $375 million from existing shareholders via rights issue or cash call

The Dubai-based buy-out firm will be using the proceeds from the sale to invest in real estate and small businesses starting early 2010.

Abraaj is setting up a $500 million vehicle to invest in regional commercial real estate and a $200 million fund to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises. The firm is also looking at aviation, logistics, education and healthcare sectors in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for expansion.

African Capital Alliance raises $200 million

African Capital Alliance (ACA) announces the first closing of USD 200 million for Capital Alliance Private Equity III (“CAPE III”), a private equity fund which seeks to tap high potential opportunities in sectors such as financial services, oil and gas, power (electricity) supply, communications, manufacturing and services in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. African Capital Alliance mobilizes long-term capital from institutional investors to promote private sector led investments.

The investors in CAPE III include well-known international development finance institutions such as CDC Group, the European Investment Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and Netherlands Development Finance Corporation. In addition, commitments have been made by Nigeria-based institutional investors including First Trustees Nigeria Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc, Africa Re-insurance Corporation and some high net worth individuals.

CDC Group commits $50m to African Capital Alliance’s PE Fund III (CAPE III)

CDC Group, the UK government-backed, emerging-markets fund of funds, has committed $50m to African Capital Alliance’s Private Equity Fund III (CAPE III) as part of its new focus on investing in the world’s poorest countries.

CAPE III targets to make minority and majority investments between $30m and $50m in mid-sized Nigerian companies with growth potential. About 25 per cent of investments will also be in other West African countries and the Gulf of Guinea region.

The fund will back companies that operate in industries which will benefit from regulatory changes in Nigeria, such as electric power. Around half of Nigeria’s population does not have access to electricity, but recent reform in the sector is said to be providing an opening for new entrants to the market.