CapitalraiseforOctotelisoneofthelargestprivateequitydealsof2020

The challenge

The current shareholders of Octotel and RSAWEB have been invested in the businesses since 2016 and sought to realise a part of their investment. They also wanted to set up the business for the next phase of growth by means of a capital raise.

The RMB solution

As a long-term funding partner to Octotel, RMB was approached to advise on the introduction of a new investor to provide liquidity for existing shareholders, as well as support the growth of the company in its new phase.

RMB, with market leading M&A expertise and deep telecommunications sector knowledge, was able to run a competitive process to source the right investor. In one of the largest private equity deals of 2020, Actis (a leading investor in growth markets across Africa, Asia and Latin Amercia that steers institutional capital into the infrastructure sector) was ultimately the successful investor for Octotel and RSAWEB.

RMB successfully navigated the capital raise, provided acquisition funding and transactional banking solutions for Octotel and RSAWEB.

How did this enable the client?

Octotel will be the platform vehicle to execute the Actis strategy to build a world-class fibre company in Africa. Actis will support Octotel and RSAWEB with both strategic direction and capital to move forward with its growth plans. In addition, the transaction supports the growth of affordable broadband connectivity — a key factor in social and economic growth.

Client	Octotel and RSAWEB
Sector	Telecommunication and Technology
Capabilities	Corporate finance advisory Leveraged finance Acquisition funding Transactional banking
RMB's role	Sole financial adviser Sole transaction funder
Country	SA, UK, Nigeria