Direct Pay Online Group (DPO), one of the leading, high-growth online commerce platforms in Africa operating across 19 countries, has today entered into an agreement to be acquired by Network International, a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
In a landmark deal for the African payments space, Network International will be acquiring 100% of DPO Group, which will continue to operate under the same brand.
Headquartered in Dubai and listed on the London Stock Exchange, Network International is a leading pan-regional provider of digital payment solutions, with presence across the entire payments value chain, delivering integrated omnichannel payments services to its customers.
The acquisition of Kenyan payment firm will support Network International’s capabilities in Africa across online, mobile and alternative payments as well as providing merchant and MNO relationships and increasing the cross-selling opportunities to both DPO and Network International’s customers.
DPO Group is already a high growth business, with revenue CAGR of c.40% from 2017-2019. This transaction enables DPO to add point of sale payment solutions to its product portfolio, connecting DPO to acquirers and issuers across the African continent and enabling DPO to penetrate the Middle East market for the first time.
Eran Feinstein, CEO of DPO Group commented: “This deal represents a significant milestone for the pan-African payments landscape and the customers and businesses we serve. Combining the two companies will allow us to broaden our offering for new and existing customers, significantly improving capacity for Africa’s merchants to do business not only across the continent but in the Middle East as well as globally.”
Simon Haslam, Network International’s Chief Executive Officer said: “We are excited by this acquisition which will strengthen our strategic framework by combining both of our businesses’ activities across the African market.
“This deal will also enhance our offering in the payments value chain by presence on both sides of the transaction, acquiring and issuing, and accelerate our future growth. Together, we have a powerful combination to accelerate digital payments across our regions and offer a one-stop shop solution for merchants, with multiple payment acceptance methods.”
Offer Gat, DPO Group Co-Founder and Chairman added: “We are delighted to have worked with Apis Partners in growing DPO Group into one of the leading pan-African payments companies. We have found Apis’ financial services sector expertise invaluable as we scaled DPO from a regional player to a truly pan-African platform present in 19 countries and serving both blue chip and local merchants.
“Apis supported DPO throughout as we made five major acquisitions in four years, entered new markets, and launched innovative new products across the continent. We are looking forward to working with our new shareholder, Network International, to achieve similar success over the coming years.”
Matteo Stefanel, Managing Partner and Apis Co-Founder said: “Eran and Offer are outstanding and visionary entrepreneurs who have built DPO into a truly world class business in a very short period of time. They exemplify the type of dynamic management teams Apis looks to invest in, and we are very proud to have worked with them and to have been part of the DPO journey. As they embark on the next phase of their journey as part of Network International, I am confident that Eran, Offer and the rest of the DPO team will continue leading the way in the African payments sector.”
DPO Group will retain its executive team and employees, as it continues to expand and will drive the payments agenda of the larger group within the African continent and the Middle East. The acquisition will also see DPO Group’s shareholders and executives become key stakeholders in Network International.
Morgan Stanley acted as the financial advisor to DPO and ENS Africa acted as the legal advisor. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory and anti-trust.
