CAIRO: Egyptian investment bank EFG Hermes Holding is targeting minority stakes in startups after its acquisition of a majority stake in state-owned Arab Investment Bank (AIB), its chief executive said on Sunday.
The acquisition of the 51 percent stake, approved by the cabinet on Wednesday, will be finalized in the third quarter, CEO Karim Awad told Reuters.
It is Egypt’s first privatization since 2006, when it sold a majority stake in Bank of Alexandria.
EFG Hermes, Egypt’s biggest investment bank, will use internal resources to buy new AIB shares worth 2.55 billion Egyptian pounds ($163 million), Awad said.
The Sovereign Fund of Egypt will also buy new shares worth 1.25 billion pounds, increasing AIB’s capital to 5 billion pounds, while the current owner, state-owned National Bank of Egypt, will retain a 24 percent stake.
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Sovereign Fund of Egypt Invests in Arab Investment Bank
Posted on 05/20/2021
EFG Hermes Holding S.A.E. is set to acquire a 51% stake of state-owned Arab Investment Bank (AIB). The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) will also acquire a 25% stake in AIB, while the current owner, state-owned National Investment Bank (NIB), will retain 24%, the Egyptian cabinet disclosed after approving the acquisition.
AIB’s capital will be increased to five billion Egyptian pounds (roughly US$ 319 million). AIB was established in 1974 as a commercial and investment bank under the supervision of the Central Bank of Egypt. AIB started operation in 1978 with a capital of 627 million Egyptian pounds, which was increased to 1.8 billion Egyptian pounds, with participation of 91.4% from National Investment Bank and 8.5% from the Federal Arab Republics.