Actis has sold its remaining 7.5% stake in Edita Food Industries (Edita) to 42 blue-chip international investors from the USA, UK, Germany, South Africa, and the UAE.

The stake was sold through an accelerated book build on the Egyptian Stock Exchange. 

Rick Phillips, Actis Partner, said: “It has been an honour to have been part of Edita’s family over the past four years. Today, the business is publicly listed on the EGX in Egypt and the LSE in the UK. It exemplifies everything we could hope for in a world class consumer business in regard to the scale, brands and institutionalization.”

Edita was founded in 1996 and is the largest, independent, branded snack food business in North Africa. 

The company produces croissants and cakes, as well as rusks, wafers, and candies.  

It is the local leader in Egypt’s snack food sector with approximately 14% market share.  

The company has its own distribution fleet of 577 vehicles catering to over 67,000 points of sale across Egypt through its 21 distribution centres.

The company also exports to 14 countries in the MENA region.

Before Actis’ investment, in 2013, Edita generated around 50% of its revenues from production under license of Hostess Brands’ products Twinkies, Hohos, and Tiger Tail. 

Edita subsequently acquired the regional rights to these brands and today 100% of its revenues are from owned brands.

Actis originally became a 30% shareholder in 2013, and with this final sale of 7.5% has now fully exited.

Actis invested in Edita during a period of considerable geopolitical and economic uncertainty in Egypt. 

The PE firm had the sector experience and the on the ground insight to back Edita’s quality and market position, which would enable it to continue its growth path despite a challenging economic backdrop. 

Actis shared the management’s vision that the business’ strength would enable it to achieve resilient growth underpinned by the continuing demand for small ticket consumption.

Since Actis’ investment, the business has launched its new headquarters and logistics hub, almost doubled production capacity with major investments into two new factories, and upgraded its ERP system. 

In addition, the management have codified corporate governance standards to international levels.

Actis supported the Company’s plans to list on the stock exchange in April 2015. 

The IPO was significantly oversubscribed, and it was the biggest and most successful IPO in Egypt since 2011. 

Following the IPO, Edita has continued its journey of growth and expansion. 

The business has remained resilient despite the market headwinds precipitated by the comprehensive macroeconomic reform program in Egypt in 2016, and the floatation of the Egyptian Pound on November 3, 2016.

Hani Berzi, Edita’s Chairman and Managing Director, said: "Actis has been a valued partner on Edita's amazing journey over the last four years. Their sector insights together with their emerging markets expertise and professionalism have been of great help to the Company and to me personally. Partnering with Actis has been a pleasure and on behalf of all of us at Edita I wish them all the best in their future projects.”

Actis was advised on the transaction by CI Capital and EFG-Hermes.