France-based Atos Origin says its local subsidiary has sold a 26% stake to empowerment partners for an undisclosed amount.
Atos Origin SA, the sub-Saharan African subsidiary of the international IT business, sold the stake in equal parts to AWCA Investment Holdings (AIH) and Manteo Investments.
AIH was established in 2008 by 60 black women chartered accountants. All the women are business people, spread across diverse sectors of the economy. It distributes part of its dividends through the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) organisation.
Manteo Investments is owned by Yusuf Surtee, a businessman who is known in the IT, financial and public sector, and has an association with Atos Origin dating back to 1999.
Winfried Holz, Atos Origin SA chairman and CEO of the Germany and Central Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and Africa region, says: “Africa is an important territory in Atos Origin's overall growth ambitions. This transaction will strengthen our business and will give us a boost to participate in growth opportunities in this fast emerging IT-services market. “
Country manager Adrian Ralph explains that the new shareholders “are experienced business people with networks in many industries”. He adds they will aid the company with its growth plans and “together, we will diversify into new industries such as financial services and the public sector, and increase our presence in the rest of the continent”.
AIH director Karabo Nondumo says the investment is “in line with our company's philosophy to participate in high-growth opportunities where we can add value and create opportunities for our shareholders and AWCA members”.
Surtee adds he is convinced that Atos Origin SA is “well positioned to further expand”.
Atos Origin provides hi-tech transactional services, consulting, systems integration and managed operations to organisations in a wide range of sectors, including telecommunications, media, manufacturing, financial services, transport, healthcare and medical services.
It turns over 5.1 billion euros a year and employs 49 000 people. Atos Origin SA was established in 1999 and has 250 staff. Its clients include MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom.
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