CDC announces US$100 million investment in Alfa Medical Group

• Alfa Medical Group consists of leading diagnostics players in Egypt (Alfa Scan and Alfa Laboratories) and El-Safa Hospital
• Expands access to quality medical care and diagnostics for patients at all income levels
• Supports expansion of the AMG laboratory business particularly into underserved regions across Egypt
• Establishes Alfa Academy to upskill workers in the healthcare ecosystem to improve patient care
• Represents CDC’s largest impact led equity investment in Egypt 

Cairo: Alfa Medical Group (AMG) is one of the largest healthcare providers in Egypt and consists of 140+ medical labs and six radiology centers, as well as a 170-bed hospital, with two further hospitals and the Alfa Medical City under construction. The Group traces its roots to the El-Safa hospital founded in 1977 by the late Prof. Samir Talaat, followed by Alfa Scan and Alfa Laboratories established over 25 years ago.

CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has today announced a US$100 million minority equity investment in AMG alongside healthcare investor Africa Platform Capital, the family office of Simon Rowlands, a leading sector expert with a strong track record in healthcare and former co-founder of the global private equity firm, Cinven, where he led the healthcare team.

CDC has been investing in Africa for over 70 years. Its investment will enable AMG to improve its medical health services outcomes, increase public access to medical care and broaden its hospital footprint which will include the new Alfa Medical City. The investment will also support the expansion of the AMG laboratory business particularly into underserved regions across Egypt, as well as the growth of Alfa Scan radiology centers.

In addition, the transaction will finance the establishment of the Alfa Academy, a training academy for AMG employees and third-party healthcare staff. The Academy will provide training to healthcare professionals, developing permanent high-quality talents across the sector and improving patient care.

This investment will help in increasing the number of hospital beds providing quality healthcare service, complementing the Egyptian Government’s efforts in achieving its vision for Egypt 2030.

This investment will contribute towards  SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and well-being for all, creating jobs as per SDG 8.5: Achieving full and productive employment and offer improved skills training as per  SDG 4.4: Increasing the number of people who have relevant skills. 

Dr Adel Talaat, Chairman and CEO of Alfa Medical Group: “We are honoured to welcome CDC, one of the largest development finance institutions, as shareholders in Alfa Medical Group. The investment marks an important milestone for our group and will allow us to expand our business and accelerate our growth. It also shows the confidence that foreign investors have in the Egyptian economy and health care sector. 

Alfa Medical Group is a manifestation of the Talaat family’s 100-year legacy in the medical field in Egypt which began with my grandfather, the late Prof. Mohammed Talaat in the 1920s. In our next phase of growth, together with CDC, we endeavour to raise the benchmark of the Egyptian healthcare offering, supporting the Presidential vision of 2030 to provide every Egyptian with access to quality healthcare services.”

Sherine Shohdy, Coverage Director, CDC, Egypt, commented: “Alfa Medical Group has played a key role over 25 years in improving the life of millions of Egyptians by granting access to quality healthcare. Its brands are recognised in the medical sector for providing high calibre diagnostics and care using cutting edge technologies. This investment is testament to CDC’s commitment to partner with leading Egyptian businesses, providing much needed patient capital that only our model can offer. With over 20 years’ experience investing here in Egypt, we remain ambitious about partnering with more local companies this year.” 

Leandro Cuccioli, Head of Health and Consumer Businesses, CDC, commented: “CDC is excited to partner with Dr Adel Talaat and his team to continue the expansion of the Group in the country and broadening access to healthcare. We are particularly excited to co-found Alfa Academy, set up to train and upskill more local employees and support the broader healthcare sector. This investment is a key part of CDC’s strategy in Egypt and we look forward to supporting more businesses in the healthcare, education and other consumer driven sectors.” 

Sir Geoffrey Adams, British Ambassador to Egypt, commented “CDC’s investment of $100 million in Alfa Medical Group, CDC’s largest ever equity investment in Egypt, is a fantastic illustration of the strength of the UK-Egypt trade and investment partnership. The deal will support healthcare in Egypt at a time of unprecedented challenges, improving access to medical care across Egypt for those in need. Congratulations to CDC and AMG on this major milestone.” 

Compass Capital acted as the sole financial advisor on the transaction representing AMG Group with Al Kamel Law Office and Serry Law Office acting as legal counsel to AMG.

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About CDC in Egypt:

CDC now has a portfolio valued at over $266 million in Egypt. Recently it launched a $750 million biopharmaceutical platform to broaden access of vital drugs across Africa with a consortium of investors. The three founding investors have committed an initial $250 million of capital that have been used to fund the acquisition of Adwia Pharmaceuticals, an Egyptian generic drugs manufacturer, and Celon Laboratories Pvt, an Indian oncology and critical care specialist. Last year, CDC also provided a US$100m of Tier 2 capital to Commercial International Bank (Egypt) (CIB). Sherine Shohdy is based in Cairo, Egypt and leads CDC efforts in country.

About CDC Group:

• CDC Group is the UK’s first impact investor with over 70 years of experience of successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in South Asia and Africa.
• CDC is a leading player in the fight against climate change and a UK champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – the global blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all.
• The company has investments in over 1,200 businesses in emerging economies and a total portfolio value of $6.2bn. Over the next two years, CDC will invest over $1.75bn in companies in Africa and Asia with a focus on fighting climate change, empowering women and creating new jobs and opportunities for millions of people.
• CDC is funded by the UK government and all proceeds from its investments are reinvested to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa and South Asia.
• CDC’s expertise makes it the perfect partner for private investors looking to devote capital to making a measurable environmental and social impact in countries most in need of investment.

© Press Release 2021