SA’s Shanduka buys stake in MTN Nigeria

JOHANNESBURG – Shanduka Group, the investment firm run by South African politician and millionaire Cyril Ramaphosa, has paid US$335 million for a stake in MTN’s Nigerian business, its biggest investment outside its home market.

Shanduka, which is 25% owned by China’s sovereign wealth fund, said in a statement it had acquired a minority stake in MTN Nigeria from three private investors.It did not give further details about the deal.MTN Nigeria is the largest subsidiary of MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator. It had 45 million subscribers at the end of September, and contributed nearly 30% of MTN’s first-half revenue.MTN holds a 78,8% stake in the Nigeria unit, meaning Shanduka’s stake could be up to 21,2%.Ramaphosa is a leading member of the ruling African National Congress and the founder and chairman of Shanduka. He is also chairman of Johannesburg-based MTN.A former trade union activist, his net worth was estimated at US$275 million by Forbes magazine in 2011, making him the 36th richest person in Africa.He is also widely seen as an eventual presidential candidate in South Africa. Shanduka has investments in varied sectors from mining, energy, real estate and financial services. It also operates the local franchise of fast food chain McDonald’s Corp.The China Investment Corporation paid R2 billion for a quarter of Shanduka last year, valuing the company at just shy of US$1 billion. – Nampa-Reuters

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