RMBpartnerswithOldMutualPrivateEquitytoenablestrategicacquisitioninhighereducation

Deal Announcement

27 January 2026

 

RMB partners with Old Mutual Private Equity to enable strategic acquisition in higher education

RMB has partnered with Old Mutual Private Equity (OMPE) as, Sole Debt Funder, Debt Advisor and Mandated Lead Arranger as well as hedge coordinator in OMPE’s acquisition of a majority shareholding in Honoris Holdings Limited (Honoris), a leading pan-African private higher education network. This landmark transaction led by OMPE demonstrates RMB’s ability to partner with  clients pursuing strategic growth opportunities across borders to deliver innovative, holistic solutions.

Honoris operates in multiple jurisdictions and represents a critical investment in Africa’s education sector, which continues to underpin inclusive economic growth. For OMPE, this acquisition aligns with its vision to invest in opportunities that have both strong investment merits and  societal impact.

“Education is a cornerstone of Africa’s development, and Honoris is a strategic asset in this space,” says Sibusiso Tashe, RMB’s Leveraged Finance Co-Head. “Our role ensured OMPE could execute this acquisition seamlessly by providing a tailored financing solution and mitigating complex currency risks.”

To achieve this, RMB structured an acquisition debt facility designed for a multi-jurisdiction transaction and executed a bespoke deal-contingent hedging solution for the full purchase price. This innovative approach minimised transaction risk and ensured certainty for OMPE.

“Honoris continues to transform multiple lives with its high-quality and affordable universities that provide learners with the skills to ensure employability in key sectors across the continent and globally.  RMB was the obvious choice for OMPE given their knowledge of the asset and similar transactions that OMPE has partnered with RMB on previously.  says Chumani Kula, Co-Head at OMPE.

The acquisition of Honoris underscores the growing importance of private higher education in Africa’s growth trajectory. With over 100,000 students across 16 institutions in 26 cities, Honoris is positioned to make a meaningful impact on skills development and employability across the continent.

Ends