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Ascent Rift Valley exits Medpharm Holdings
David Owino, the Managing Partner at Ascent Capital Advisory Services LLP (“Ascent”) commented “We are pleased to have contributed to the growth of ICL to become the leading laboratory services provider in Ethiopia, expanding healthcare access to the people of Ethiopia. Our exit to Cerba Lancet Africa demonstrates the tremendous potential within the Ethiopian market and the partnership between Medpharm and Cerba Lancet Africa marks a significant milestone in the Company’s growth. Ascent remains committed to partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs to deliver growth, a commercial return, and positive social impact.”
Ascent Rift Valley Fund Ltd (“ARVF” or the “Fund”) is pleased to announce its successful exit of Medpharm Holdings Africa (“Medpharm” or the “Company”), the leading provider of medical diagnostic laboratory services in Ethiopia, through the sale of its stake to Cerba Lancet Africa (“CLA”), a leading network of clinical pathology and medical diagnosis in Africa with 170 sites, across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Founded in 2004, the Company which operates under the International Clinical Laboratories (“ICL”) brand, provides quality laboratory services across Ethiopia.
The Company employs a hub and spoke model with the main laboratory located in the Kera area of Addis Ababa and 19 patient service centres in Addis Ababa and the regional cities of Bahir Dar, Mekelle, Hawassa, Adama, Gondar, Jimma, Dessie, Diredawa and Harrar. It has the widest test menu amongst private laboratory companies in Ethiopia and a strong focus on reliable, efficient service delivery.
ARVF invested in Medpharm in 2015 and over that time the Company’s revenue has grown 9-fold with tests volumes growing 15,000 per month to 40,000 per month making it the diagnostics market leader in Ethiopia.
The Company’s pioneering hub and spoke model in Ethiopia has expanded healthcare access in the country outside of Addis Ababa as well as to other countries in the region.
Ascent’s partnership with ICL also saw the further entrenchment of ESG policies within the business with a particular focus on robust governance and the professionalization of internal systems.