Development Partners International (DPI) alongside minority co-investors South Suez and DEG have acquired 100% of Solevo Group, an African distribution platform for specialty chemicals, from Helios Investment Partners.

All regulatory approvals for the transaction have been approved and the deal closed on April 18, 2023.

Helios, alongside global investor Temasek, acquired Solevo in 2017 through the corporate carveout of Louis Dreyfus Company’s (LDC) African Inputs business, a global commodities merchant.

Nimit Shah, Partner at Helios Investment Partners commented: “During our ownership, Helios is proud to have worked with Solevo to execute a value creation strategy that resulted in strong financial, social, and environmental performance. It consistently achieved double digit annual operating profit growth rates driven by revenue growth and margin expansion."

“The successful sale of Solevo underscores Helios’ investment strategy of acquiring and building market-leading, diversified platform companies operating in the core economic sectors of key African countries, with an emphasis on portfolio operations as a creator of value. We look forward to following Solevo’s continued success."

Underpinned by over 75 years of heritage and brand recognition in Africa, Solevo has established itself as a key enabler in the continent’s drive for agricultural self-sufficiency and the stimulation of local industry.

With 23 distribution sites, a deep network across eight countries, and a team of market-leading experts, Solevo is recognised as a trusted distribution partner for customers across the continent.

Since founding and under Helios’ ownership, the company has transformed into a leading distributor of specialty chemicals across the most important life sciences and industrial segments.

Solevo offers a unique one-stop-shop for a range of inputs and chemicals including agriculture, also providing support for over one million small holder farmers, helping them to secure their livelihoods through increased yields and greater crop security, resulting in improved food security and climate resilience across Africa.

Other life sciences segments include food and beverages, home and personal care, and industrial segments such as water treatment, mining and energy, construction, and packaging: all critical areas responsible for driving Africa’s economic growth.

Africa’s specialty chemicals market is rapidly growing, driven by secular trends towards urbanisation, industrialisation, a fast-growing, emerging middle class, as well as rapid population growth.

These trends are accelerating the demand for specialty chemical products in key life sciences and industrial sectors across the continent, reflected in the 5-15% year-on-year growth seen in Solevo’s key segments.

Working with new partners, DPI, Solevo will focus on continuing to deliver on its ambitious growth strategies of product and market expansion, in addition to digitalising its supply-chains, to consolidate its position as Africa’s “partner of choice” and leading distributor of critical specialty chemical products.

Joris Coppye, CEO of Solevo said: “With Solevo firmly established as a leader in its markets, we are incredibly well placed for the next stage of our evolution: to become the go-to distributor of specialty chemicals in Africa, serving critical sectors across the life sciences and industrial segments. By accelerating our digitalisation efforts and focusing on reaching new markets, we will empower more businesses, farmers, and communities across the continent. The partnership with Helios has been highly successful and fruitful, with significant investments in people, operations, and processes. Solevo has benefited from Helios’ expertise in successfully executing large corporate carveouts and driving growth through commercial excellence. With the support of DPI, who bring a hands-on, partnership approach, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep market expertise, we have a unique opportunity to build on the achievements of the last five years under Helios’ ownership, broadening our ability to serve our customers and communities, and building the foundations for food-security across the African continent.”

Babacar Ka, Partner at Development Partners International, added: “The delivery of specialty chemicals to SMEs and large businesses across Africa is a key component of unlocking the continent’s potential by supporting the growth of key life sciences and industrial sectors. Under Joris and his leadership teams’ effective stewardship, Solevo has firmly established itself as a pan-African distribution leader, championing companies and local industries across the continent, including local farming communities, equipping them with new technology and the hands-on support they need to scale their businesses. We are excited to work with Joris and his experienced management team, to accelerate the business’ transformation, as it scales into new markets across the continent.”

Helios was advised by Akin Gump as legal counsel, Rabobank and Rothschild acting as financial advisors and KPMG providing financial due diligence.

DPI was advised by Norton Rose Fulbright as legal counsel, BNP Paribas as financial advisors, PWC acting as financial due diligence and DLA Piper providing legal due diligence advice.