(Ecofin Agency) - In 2018, private equity firms invested $3.5 billion in Africa against $3.9 billion in 2017, the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) revealed in a report published recently.

According to the same source, private equity investments in the continent reached $25.7 billion between 2013 and 2018.

The report reveals that during the period under review (2018) the number of private equity transactions reached 186 while in 2017, they were 171 and 1022 for the 2013-2018 period.

In 2018, the volume of funds raised by equity funds active in the continent Reached $2.7 billion against $2.7 billion in 2017.

On the other hand, the number of disinvestments dropped from 52 in 2017 to 46 in 2018 mainly because of the decrease in disinvestments recorded in South Africa (amid economic uncertainties).

Shares transfer to trade buyers represented 39% of the divestiture recorded in 2018 against 37% for share transfers to other private equity funds or financial institutions. 2% were management buy-out and 2% for IPOs.