SPE Capital Partners has announced the final close of SPE AIF I, an Africa-focused private equity fund, at $258m, well above its initial hard cap of $200m.

SPE AIF I was launched in 2019 to invest in companies across Africa, with a particular focus on North Africa.

The fund strategy includes majority transactions in companies with growth potential, operating in sectors such as industrial goods, services, healthcare and education.

Nabil Triki, Managing Partner and CEO at SPE Capital, said: “This is a significant milestone for our young firm. We are grateful for the strong vote of confidence from our investors, whose unwavering support has been invaluable.”

“The challenging environment we’re currently in underlines the importance of investing in resilient sectors and high-quality companies.”

To-date, SPE AIF I has invested in four companies: Future Pharmaceutical Industries, a rapidly growing branded generics manufacturer in Egypt; Holged Tunisie, a private K-12 school operator in Tunisia; Dislog Group, a premier FMCG producer and distributor in Morocco; and Amanys Pharma (formerly Saham Pharma), an antibiotics manufacturer and injectables distributer in Morocco.

SPE Capital, founded in 2016, is an independent private equity firm focused on Africa and the Middle East.

SPE Capital is led by an experienced on-the-ground investment team, with strong local knowledge and a proven track record of investing in growth companies.

With offices spanning across the region, SPE Capital has a thorough understanding of businesses in the region and strives to apply best international practices and governance standards.