Eversheds Sutherland (International) advises on the acquisition of SJL group, a leading transport and logistics operator in Europe and Morocco, from private equity funds AfricInvest and Mediterrania Capital Partners.

Eversheds Sutherland advised Investec during the due diligence process as well as in drafting and negotiating all contractual documentation until closing. The transaction will accelerate a number of growth initiatives in SJL’s logistics capability and transport fleets.

Investec is a South African fund managing $114bn for clients worldwide. The transaction was completed in partnership with German investment and development company, DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH) and Avanz Capital, the very first partners of Investec Asset Management. This is Investec Africa Private Equity Fund’s second acquisition in Africa this year.

The Eversheds Sutherland team was led by Partner and Head of the Eversheds Sutherland Africa Group, Boris Martor, supported by Principal Associate Jawad Fassi-Fehri, specialising in private equity in Africa. The team also included Partner Carlos Pemán and Counsel Sixto de la Calle (Eversheds Sutherland Madrid), as well as Partner Mohamed Oulkhouir and Associate Karim Benhassni, both based in Casablanca and members of the Eversheds Africa Law Institute in Morocco.

Boris Martor comments:

“We are pleased to have helped Investec Asset Management in their first Private Equity investment in Morocco, which was also one of the largest transactions in the Moroccan PE market this year. We look forward to working with this great team again in the future.”