Sponsorship
Click the link below to view our sponsorship opportunities.
Lead Sponsors
Benchmark International
Benchmark International is a global Mergers and Acquisitions firm, specializing in mid-market company transactions.
Operating from 14 offices worldwide, our unique and dynamic sell-side advisory presents clients and acquirers with unparalleled global coverage, enabling access to local and international opportunities through our exclusive databases and business intelligence facilities. With over 350 dealmakers and analysts spread across 3 continents, Benchmark has managed engagements in excess of USD 11 billion in various industries globally.
In 2024, we were honoured with 18 separate industry awards globally, including the coveted International Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor & Global M&A Network.
In line with SAVCA’s 2024 theme of ‘Elevate With Intent’, we pride ourselves in empowering businesses to achieve strategic growth and transformative value. By fostering meaningful connections between investors and companies, we enable sustainable partnerships that drive innovation and unlock new opportunities.
We focus on connecting the right people with the right opportunities through a deep understanding of diverse industries. Averaging 196 concluded deals per year for the last three years attests to the firm’s reputation as a trusted partner for mid-market companies seeking growth, wealth diversification, and exit strategies.
If you want to invest in or dispose of mid-market companies, tap into our global expertise and partner with us for attractive deal-sourcing or equity disposal opportunities.
Aon
Securing investments, enhancing returns, and turning risk into opportunity
In today’s dynamic mergers and acquisitions landscape, gone are the days of solely focusing on the P&L, cash flow and balance sheet to understand deal value. Today sellers and buyers must assess a business’s ESG practices, digital capabilities, technology and IP just as closely as they scrutinise financials.
M&A and Transaction Solutions
Aon provides comprehensive support for organisations navigating mergers, acquisitions and capital market transactions, offering strategic solutions to manage risk, optimise investments and enhance deal value - including tax risk management, cyber transaction advisory, litigation risk insurance, human capital advisory and comprehensive deal due diligence.
Who We Serve
- Corporations: Helping businesses drive capital efficiency, optimise balance sheets, and mitigate deal risks through
specialised due diligence, insurance and human capital solutions. - Financial Sponsors: Assisting private equity firms and investors in securing investments, managing risk across portfolios
and maximising deal success with a streamlined execution process. - M&A Advisors: Providing expert guidance on complex transactions with a multi-disciplinary team specialising in legal,
tax, cyber, intellectual property and ESG considerations.
Specialised Transaction Support
Aon’s expertise extends to complex transactions such as:
- Carve-outs & Spinoffs: Minimising execution risks and maximising value through structured financial instruments and globally coordinated solutions.
- Distressed Transactions: Enhancing return on investment by managing multi-faceted risks and unlocking capital opportunities.
- Secondary Funds: Mitigating risks in secondary transactions with bespoke insurance solutions and international expertise.
For further information
Zamani Ngidi
Business Unit Manager: M&A and Cyber Solutions
t + 27 11 944 7579 | c + 27 73 276 9623
e zamani.ngidi2@aon.co.za
Visit: https://www.aon.com/en/capabilities/mergers-and-acquisitions
Harith
Harith General Partners is a pan-African infrastructure investment holding company headquartered in South Africa, with investment interests and assets across 10 African countries. Its name, “Harith”, is derived from the Arabic language, and means “one who ploughs”. Harith was founded in 2006 with the initial mandate to manage the $630 million Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF I), and subsequently the $435 million PAIDF II. Through its successful management of the two funds, the establishment of partnership funds in Namibia and Nigeria, as well as the recent establishment of the Harith-led infrastructure investment vehicle, Harith Infraco, the company recently achieved its transition from a fund-manager-based business to an infrastructure investment holding company. This it has done while maintaining and consolidating fund and asset management as one of its pillars, through its continued management of PAIDF II and the acquisition, alongside a women-led group, of a majority stake in Mergence Investment Management. Through Harith Infraco, Harith holds significant interests in:
- CIVH - a leading operator in the digital infrastructure industry, the holding company Maziv, which in turn owns stakes in a number of companies including Dark Fibre Africa, Vumatel, Vumacam and Herotel.
- Aldwych Holdings Limited - which wholly owns the Anergi Holding Group, a pan African power company which owns stakes in 6 power generation assets across the continent (South Africa, Kenya (two assets), Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone).
- Lanseria Holdings - which owns Lanseria International Airport, the second largest airport in Gauteng, and South Africa’s only privately owned international airport.
Co-Sponsor
Willis Towers Watson
At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help you sharpen your strategy, enhance organisational resilience, motivate your workforce and maximise performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with you, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success – and provide perspective that moves you.
WTW’s M&A team bring a unique combination of risk expertise and deep understanding of human capital and organisational culture to your deal. We draw on experience from more than 2,000 M&A and private equity transactions every year globally, to help our clients achieve both short and long-term success. Given our volume, we generate significant leverage with the global M&A insurance market.
Marsh Africa
We shape the future through our perspective, expertise and solutions, empowering our clients to thrive – a foundation strengthened over 150 years.
We help our clients, colleagues and communities grow by empowering them with the confidence to thrive. We seek better ways to manage risk and define more effective paths to achieve the right outcomes. We go beyond risk to rewards for our clients, our company, our colleagues, and the communities in which we serve.
Supporting Sponsor
Jersey Finance
Jersey Finance is a not-for-profit organisation that works closely with key partners to represent and promote Jersey as a forward-thinking international finance centre (IFC). We have a presence in Jersey, London, Dubai, Johannesburg, Hong Kong SAR, New York, Shanghai and Singapore.
Jersey's relationship with Africa is broad, deep and based on shared interests. Our Island acts as an investment gateway for African investors to the UK, European and global markets.
As an award-winning IFC, we look forward to a continued relationship with financial services professionals and partners in Africa, providing investors with opportunities to effect positive change and make a difference with their capital.
Institutional Investor Lunch
ARCH
ARCH, a subsidiary of the African investment powerhouse African Rainbow Capital, was founded in 2018 as a specialist investment advisor for emerging markets. Our mission is to support the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, and sustainable economies across Africa. Authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, ARCH advises on investments through three key strategies; Renewable Energy, Cold Chain Solutions and Sustainable Natural Resources.
As an award-winning platform (SuperReturn Africa 2022 & 2024), ARCH operates within a strong governance framework, emphasizing value creation and growth through a risk-adjusted approach. ESG principles are deeply embedded in its investment strategies, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement to drive meaningful global impact.
Delegate Bags
PE Front Office
PE Front Office is the only comprehensive and integrated suite of products that has been developed with a focus on the front and middle office processes for alternative investment management – Private Credit/Debt, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Fund of Funds, Real Estate Funds, Limited Partners, and Fund Admins. PEFO empowers investment professionals across 15 countries and 150+ firms to simplify work and enhance productivity.
Our state-of-the-art yet affordable solutions include CRM, Deal Flow, Fundraising, Investment Management (that supports both Equity and Debt), Portfolio Monitoring, Investor Management, Fund Administration, and Investor Portal access. This is further augmented by Risk and Compliance Management, Task and Activities Management, Outlook/Gmail Integration, Mobile App, Document Management, and detailed Reports and Analytics.
Hospitality
EY
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.
EY works across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY provides services in more than 150 countries.
For more information about our organisation, please visit ey.com/za
Dessert Sponsor
Bowmans
Bowmans helps its clients manage legal complexity and unlock opportunities in Africa. With over 500 lawyers and offices in six countries, Bowmans’ advice uniquely blends expertise in the law, knowledge of local markets and an understanding of clients’ businesses. Its private equity specialists provide bespoke upstream and downstream services. Members of the team have advised on some of the largest private equity transactions undertaken in the region to date and have been involved in the formation of numerous Africa-focused private equity funds.
Notebooks & Pens
Werksmans Attorneys
Established in the early 1900s, Werksmans Attorneys is a leading South African corporate and commercial law firm serving multinationals, listed companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and government. With a formidable track record, Werksmans' comprises over 200 multi-faceted lawyers in 23 areas of law.
The firm's success is built on a solid foundation of insightful and innovative deal structuring and legal advice, a keen ability to understand business and a strong focus on achieving the best legal outcome for clients.
Digital Communications
Caveat Legal
For almost 15 years, Caveat has disrupted the legal space, bringing top-tier M&A expertise to the sector without the fanfare or cost. With 60+ Big Firm-trained lawyers and with M&A as our primary focus, we allow our PE and VC clients to close deals quickly and bring down transaction costs. Everyone wins with Caveat.
Water Branding
ENS Africa
With offices in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa, and over 600 practitioners specialising in all commercial areas of law, tax, forensics and IP, we have deep expertise and the capacity to deliver on our clients' business requirements, helping them navigate regulatory hurdles, no matter where in Africa they do business. We are entrusted by our clients to handle and co-ordinate their most complex and sensitive requirements quickly, efficiently and with excellence, and as a result, we have been recognised by several prestigious international ranking agencies. Through our many years of practical experience working on the ground on the continent, we have developed a solid understanding of local cultural, commercial and geopolitical contexts, and formed long-standing partnerships with the trusted firms with whom we work.
Coffee Bar
Realfin
RealFin has been a trusted partner to some of South Africa's leading alternative asset fund managers for over a decade. Whether you're a larger industry player or a smaller boutique fund manager, we'll work with you to create a tailored independent administration solution that meets your fund's unique needs. We have experienced teams administrating private equity, venture capital, private debt, unlisted real estate and infrastructure funds.
Conference Recovery Kit
RAMS Attorneys
Our senior attorneys have worked for some of the largest law firms in South Africa. They draw on their extensive backgrounds and legal expertise to deliver top-quality advice to our clients. This wealth of experience enables us to provide insightful and strategic counsel, ensuring our clients receive the best possible representation and achieve optimal outcomes in their legal matters. Whether dealing with complex corporate and commercial transactions or intricate litigation, our team is fully equipped to handle every challenge with expertise and dedication.
Lanyards
Realfin
RealFin has been a trusted partner to some of South Africa's leading alternative asset fund managers for over a decade. Whether you're a larger industry player or a smaller boutique fund manager, we'll work with you to create a tailored independent administration solution that meets your fund's unique needs. We have experienced teams administrating private equity, venture capital, private debt, unlisted real estate and infrastructure funds.
Networking Pods
ANIMO Mauritius
ANIMO Mauritius is a licensed Management Company in Mauritius involved in the setting up and administration of various structures (Corporate | Trust | Fund | Foundation | Limited Partnerships | Investment Adviser | Investment Dealer | PCC | CEF | CIS | Single/Multiple Family Office | Freeport | Bank Account Opening | Live and Work in Mauritius | Bookkeeping/Accountancy services | and others) in Mauritius and other jurisdictions.
Our group, an international Corporate Service Provider, is headquartered in the UK and present in MAURITIUS, IRELAND, CYPRUS, DUBAI.
Baker & McKenzie
Baker McKenzie's South Africa practice in Johannesburg is part of the Baker McKenzie global network of 74 offices spread across 45 countries and offers a full-service legal practice. Deeply integrated in our international and local Africa Practice, we have worked on significant matters providing domestic, cross-border and international legal advice on a range of top-ranked legal areas. Our team of private equity and M&A lawyers have a long, successful track record advising clients in Africa. Our transactional teams are supported by our experts in tax, employment, dispute resolution, compliance, financial services regulatory, and competition and antitrust to advise on every aspect of your transaction and ensure comprehensive execution of deals.
Deal Leaders International
DLI is a specialist M&A advisory helping business owners (with annual EBITDA R20m–R300m) navigate their growth-to-exit journey. With local expertise and global reach through the Pandea Global M&A Network, we deliver deep market insights and a results-driven approach to prepare and execute on business growth and exit strategies for maximum value.
Jersey Finance
Jersey Finance is a not-for-profit organisation that works closely with key partners to represent and promote Jersey as a forward-thinking international finance centre (IFC). We have a presence in Jersey, London, Dubai, Johannesburg, Hong Kong SAR, New York, Shanghai and Singapore.
Jersey's relationship with Africa is broad, deep and based on shared interests. Our Island acts as an investment gateway for African investors to the UK, European and global markets.
As an award-winning IFC, we look forward to a continued relationship with financial services professionals and partners in Africa, providing investors with opportunities to effect positive change and make a difference with their capital.
Webber Wentzel
Webber Wentzel's private equity team has market-leading expertise across the private equity landscape, from fund formation to downstream M&A and transactional tax across Africa. We advise global, regional, and national investors on structuring deals, navigating regulatory complexity and implementing transactions offering innovative solutions, industry knowledge, and exceptional client service.
Delegate Bag Inserts
Ditiro Capital
Ditiro Capital is a black women-owned and led private equity fund manager established in 2019, with a focus on investing in medium sized businesses in South Africa. Ditiro Fund I is a sector-agnostic fund that reached first close in May 2023 with commitments of ZAR360m and is currently in the deployment phase.
EMS Tax
Our indirect tax consultancy specialises in navigating SARS regulations, providing tailored solutions for specific purpose rulings and retrospective savings reviews.
We offer expert guidance to ensure compliance, optimize tax efficiency, and identify opportunities for VAT savings, helping businesses reduce risks and maximize benefits through strategic VAT planning.
Please visit our website book a free consultation.