by DION HENRICK
CAPE TOWN – THE London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has reported an estimated US$169,3 million worth of investment banking fees generated in Sub-Saharan Africa during the first half of 2025.
This is 4 percent less than the value recorded a year ago and the lowest first-half total since 2012.
LSEG disclosed advisory fees earned from completed mergers and aquisation (M&A) transactions in the region totalled $59,3 million, a decrease of 22 percent compared to the value recorded last year at this time and the lowest first-half total in four years.
Forty-seven (47) percent of all Sub-Saharan African fees were generated in South Africa during the first half of 2025, followed by Mauritius (13 percent) and Ivory Coast (13 percent).
Barclays earned the most investment banking fees in the region during the period, a total of $16,3 million or a 10-percent share of the total fee pool.
Deals involving a Sub-Saharan African target totaled $5,9 billion during the first half of 2025, down 45 percent compared to the first half of 2024 and a five-year low.
The Energy and Power sector was most active, accounting for 52 percent of Sub-Saharan African target M&A during the first half of 2025.
Materials followed with 20 percent of overall deal activity in the region. South Africa was the most targeted nation, followed by Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
– CAJ News
