In this month’s issue of Africa Global Funds, we speak with Chris Sickle,  CEO of M&G Investments about his background, goals as the new CEO, South Africa as an investment destination and more. Sickle took over from previous CEO Bernard Fick in October, 2021 as Prudential Portfolio Managers rebranded. Find more on pp. 14-15.

We also learn about Meridian Commodities that have proudly announced their first debt raise of $30m on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM). In a process managed by Safyr Capital Partners, the debt raise was taken up by Investec Bank (Mauritius), attesting to the market’s confidence in Meridian future growth plans. Find more on p. 11.

In addition, Africa Finance Corporation and Allianz Global Investors have deployed a loan structure that is drawing institutional investors to fund critical infrastructure in Africa. Wola Asase and Mostafa Abdel Motaal at AFC discuss innovative credit enhanced B-Loans on pp. 16-17.

Furthemore, Jason Hungerford and Kwadwo Sarkodie of Mayer Brown International share their views on Mali economic sanctions, which were imposed in response to the Malian Government's decision to postpone the February 2022 election to December 2025 (See p.22).

On the fundraising front, TLcom has announced a first close for its Africa-focused tech fund; meanwhile Ezdehar Management has announced a first close of its Ezdehar Mid-Cap Fund II (EMF II) and Kleoss Capital has reached first close for its Fund II (See news on pp. 4-12).