(Ecofin Agency) - French Havas, one of the world’s communication leaders, announced on October 16, it has acquired a 49% stake in Ganfood and HVS, two Algerian firms. 

Established in 2003, Ganfood is a consulting and creation agency with major clients such as Heineken, Peugeot, Sanofi, Lafarge and Société Générale. 

As for HVS, it was founded in 2009, and operates both in the media consulting and space purchase industries. Its clients include major brands such as Lactalis, Emirates, Hygienix, LG, Mango, IFRI, JDE. 

Havas which is now the majority shareholder of both firms has not revealed how much the operation cost. Neither did the two firms. However, the latter have both been rebranded into Havas Creative Alger for Ganfood, and Havas Media Alger for HVS.  

Cherif Medjaoui, former senior partner at Ganfood, is now the managing director in charge of Creation at Havas Creative Alger while Isma Tifous, previously senior partner at HVS is now the managing director of Havas Media Alger. The two agencies will be supervised by Pascal Allardet, and together be part of the Havas Village Alger.  

“Adding Ganfood and HVS to Havas Village Alger is for us a major step in Havas’ expansion in Africa,” said Yannick Bolloré (picture), head of the Havas Group. 

Servan Ahougnon