GIPF acquires stake in Capricorn

The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced the acquisition of a 15% stake in Capricorn Investment Holdings (CIH), owners of Bank Windhoek. The transaction will set the pension fund back N$2 billion, Capricorn announced in a statement this morning.

Commenting on the deal, Capricorn Group Holdings managing director Thinus Prinsloo said: “We are extremely proud that GIPF has selected Capricorn Group for such a substantial investment and believe that it bears testimony to their confidence in the group to continue to deliver attractive, yet sustainable returns and growth to investors. Having GIPF as a shareholder of reference will further enhance this value proposition of Capricorn Group to investors.”

“CIH decided to facilitate the transaction through the reduction of its shareholding because it fully realised the benefits to the group of having GIPF as a substantial shareholder. GIPF showed their commitment to fulfil the role of shareholder of reference by offering immediate long-term senior debt funding of N$1.3 billion to the group as part of the transaction. CIH similarly will also be making long-term funding of N$900 million available to the group,” outgoing Capricorn group chairman Koos Brandt said.

STAFF REPORTER