After renewable energy a few days ago, CDC Group is releasing new funds, this time to support the real estate sector in South Africa. The British government’s financial institution has confirmed a 500 million South African rand ($36 million) investment in Divercity Urban Property Fund (Divercity), a platform dedicated to the construction of affordable housing and focused on the regeneration of South African cities.
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CDC Group invested in Divercity in a funding round that also saw the participation of South African impact investor Futuregrowth and Divercity’s existing shareholders. The funds invested will be used to build and manage over 2,500 new residential units over the next five years, primarily in Johannesburg.
The acquisition of Ithemba Property
This city of approximately 5.6 million people is experiencing a housing shortage. According to CDC Group, South Africa has a housing shortage of approximately 2.3 units. In this context, a large majority of its low-cost housing is built on the outskirts of major cities. This limits the residential options of low- and middle-income households to mostly informal, congested and poor-quality housing on the outskirts of cities.
Divercity is focusing on eco-responsible housing to reverse this trend and contribute to sustainable and environmentally friendly urban development. “Cities in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rapid population growth and a growing housing shortage, with low-income populations particularly affected (…) This investment will help promote inclusive growth and strengthen social and economic integration in the country,” says Samir Abhyankar, Managing Director of CDC Group’s Direct Private Equity arm.
The funds invested in Divercity will also finance the acquisition of residential property and asset manager, Ithemba Property. This other transaction is intended to bring new expertise to the management of Divercity’s future homes. And Ithemba Property has 20 years of experience in the field.
Jean Marie Takouleu