IPO WATCH- CI Capital announced today that it plans to sell 246.9 mn ordinary shares, or 43.6% of the company, on the EGX. The IPO will consist of an international offering to global and local institutional investors and a retail offering here in Egypt at a price to be determined following the book-building process, the company said in its intention to float (pdf). The offering is expected to consist of a secondary sale of shares by the CI Capital’s current shareholders, who will use a portion of the proceeds to subscribe a capital increase of up to EGP 1.0 bn in newly-issued shares.

What’s the use of proceeds from the subsequent capital increase? According to the ITF, CI will “(a) expand its existing businesses, including … leasing, microfinance, asset management, and margin lending (b) fund its expansion in new areas of non-banking financial services, (c) strengthen its balance sheet to support new activities including merchant banking and (d) for general corporate purposes.”

The financials: CI Capital reported revenues of EGP 1.85 bn last year, up 33% over 2016. Net profit last year was EGP 251 mn, a rise of 49% year-on-year.

The IPO is expected to take place in 2Q2018, subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals. The offering will be Reg S / 144A compliant, the ITF says, meaning qualified institutional buyers in the US can participate.

Advisors: Jefferies International Limited and CI Capital Investment Banking are acting as joint global coordinators and bookrunners on the IPO. Norton Rose Fulbright was tapped as international counsel to the issuer, while White & Case is the underwriters’ counsel. Matouk Bassiouny will serve as local counsel. HC Brokerage and Pharos Securities Brokerage are acting as placements agents.