WHO WE ARE
Accelerate Africa provides corporate finance advisory services to corporations, institutional investors and management teams.
The team has an average of 15 years experience in corporate finance and principal investment, working for leading professional advisory and private investment firms.
Our senior professionals are African specialists and experts. We only serve African based clients or investment firms wishing to access the opportunities on the continent.
OUR TEAM
Accelerate Africa is led by Nick Taylor,
previously the Chief Investment Officer at the pan-African investment firm, Lonrho.
During his time at Lonrho, Nick originated and executed multiple investments on behalf of Lonrho, managed complex multi-disciplinary operational and restructuring projects and sat on the boards of all portfolio companies.
Prior to this, Nick worked at PwC Corporate Finance in London advising on M&A transactions, predominately for private equity clients and mid sized companies.
He is a Chartered Accountant by professional training and an Associate of the Institute for Turnaround.
CREDENTIALS
Accelerate Africa has experience and relationships across the continent.
We are particularly experienced at operating for clients on projects in Southern and Eastern Africa including South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and South Sudan.
The below is a selection of some notable projects/transactions:
BRANDS
AFRICA
Conception of investment case, origination of target companies and full transaction execution to acquire and merge two Southern African FMCG distribution businesses.
Countries: Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi
Transaction Date:
2019
RADISSON BLU HOTEL, NAIROBI
Assisting the board to manage the completion of construction of the hotel. Financial restructuring of the existing bank facilities and structuring equity injections.
Country: Kenya
Transaction Date:
2016
LONRHO
AGRIBUSINESS
Restructuring of Lonrho's agribusiness operations, ultimately involving substantial cost restructuring and two business disposals
Countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
Transaction Date:
2013-2015
BIG BOTTLING COMPANY
Transaction execution to acquire a minority shareholding in a carbonated soft drinks manufacturer and distributor, operational in Lagos, Nigeria.
Country: Nigeria
Transaction Date:
2018
LAKE TURKANA WIND POWER
Assisting the board of Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) to restructure the management and operations of the wind farm.
Country: Kenya
Transaction Date:
2015
LEHMAN BROTHERS
Participation in the administration of Lehman Brothers post filing for bankruptcy in 2008. Particular focus on managing the wind down of the European Real Estate portfolio.
Country: United Kingdom
Transaction Date:
2008-2010
ATLANTIS
FOODS
Principal investment role in merging four food trading & distribution companies to create Atlantis Foods, the largest fully integrated seafood processor and distributor in South Africa.
Country: South Africa
Transaction Date:
2015-2017
LONRHO
GROUP
Multiple projects including disposals, liquidations, acquisitions, executive hiring, financial reporting improvements, strategy work and operational projects for the leading African investment company, Lonrho
Country: Pan-African (15+ countries)
Transaction Date:
2013-2020
BIFFA
PLC
Advising a UK based private equity house on the acquisition of a large publicly listed waste management company, Biffa plc and subsequent delisting
Country: United Kingdom
Transaction Date:
2008