Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (‘Freshfields’) has advised The Abraaj Group on its acquisition of East Africa’s most prominent upmarket coffee and casual-dining chain, Java House Group (‘Java House’), from private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners and Java House’s executive chairman. Founded in Kenya in 1999, and now with three flagship brands (Java House, Planet Yogurt and 360 Degrees Artisan Pizza), Java House currently has 60 stores across 10 cities in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Java House also operates commercial coffee roasteries, providing quality coffee and bean sales to its own stores and to supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and wholesale buyers.
 
This transaction builds on The Abraaj Group’s local knowledge, on-the-ground experience and strong networks in Africa, where it has deployed $3.2bn in 80 transactions. It also further leverages The Abraaj Group’s strong and diversified experience in the food and beverage sector gained through partnerships with leading businesses across Asia, MENA and Latin America.
 
Commenting on the transaction, Freshfields partner Pervez Akhtar said, “We are delighted to have again been able to work alongside The Abraaj Group on another of its significant investments in Africa. This transaction is another example of our market leading position in African M&A and private equity. It builds on our record breaking year in 2016. Last year we advised on African deals with a combined value in excess of $2bn of the reported $3-4bn to have taken place on the continent. Despite the headwinds, we continue to be very active on the continent, particularly for private equity investors, and are anticipating an active second half of 2017.”
 
The Freshfields team was led by partner Pervez Akhtar in Dubai. New York partners Matthew Herman and Omar Pringle advised on New York law matters.