Mediterrania Capital Partners, a private equity firm focusing in growth investments for SMEs in North Africa and Sub-Saharan countries, has fully exited its investment in CEPRO (Cellulose Processing), a manufacturer and distributor of baby diapers and feminine sanitary pads in Algeria.

Mediterrania Capital Partners has sold its stake to The Abraaj Group.

In early 2009, Mediterrania Capital Partners acquired a significant minority stake of CEPRO through its first fund for North Africa, Fons Mediterrania Capital (MC I) which closed at €63m in June 2008.

Created in 2002, CEPRO started diapers production in 2005, and feminine sanitary pads in 2006.

The company has six productions lines and employees over 300 people.

During Mediterrania Capital Partners’ holding period, CEPRO has grown its annual revenue by 580% to €58m, as of December 2015, from €10m recorded in 2009.

The company’s annual sales of baby diapers increased by 400% during the same period – to 600 million diapers sold in 2015.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) had a compound annual growth rate of over 50% between 2009 and 2015.

Additionally, during the period, CEPRO tripled its factory size from 10,000 square meters to 30,000 square meters, and has plans to expand its existing facilities even further in the near future.

Albert Alsina, CEO and Managing Partner of Mediterrania Capital Partners, said: “We are extremely pleased with the evolution of the company during the time of our partnership.”

“The sale of our stake to The Abraaj Group supports Cepro’s future strategy in terms of product development and geographic expansion,” he added.

Mediterrania Capital Partners started its operations in 2008 under “Fons Mediterrania Capital” and since 2013 is an independent General Partner Structure.

With offices in Barcelona, Casablanca, Tunis, Algiers and Malta, the private equity company takes an intensely proactive, hands-on approach to implementing its growth strategy by leading the governance of the companies and driving the key internal value creation process.

The partners of Mediterrania Capital have extensive experience in managing companies spanning commercial experience, strategy formulation, finance and operations.