Exits MENA Acquires Avanz Capital Egypt in Multi-Seven-Figure Private Equity Deal

Exits MENA has finalized a multi-seven-figure acquisition of Avanz Capital Egypt (ACE), marking a significant consolidation in the North African investment landscape. For fintech professionals and regional investors, this deal signals the emergence of a vertically integrated financial group capable of bridging the gap between early-stage advisory and institutional asset management.

What was announced

Exits MENA, an investment platform and advisory firm, has partnered with the local management of Avanz Capital Egypt to acquire the private equity and asset management firm. The transaction has received initial approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and is structured to ensure continuity for existing clients and investors. Under the new arrangement, the firm will be rebranded as Exits Manara, serving as the private capital and asset management arm of the Exits MENA group.

The operational leadership remains stable, with Haytham Wagih continuing as CEO and Managing Director. The deal also sees Dr. Nader Elsayed join as a shareholder and Executive Director, while Masa Arafa maintains her role as Investment Director with new ownership alignment. This structure is intended to adhere to international private equity standards while scaling the firm’s regional reach.

Exits Manara will maintain its focus on Manara 1, an existing fund of funds dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the firm plans to expand its assets under management (AUM) through the launch of Manara 2 for Export Investments. This new vehicle is specifically designed to support mid-sized exporting businesses in Egypt as they attempt to scale into international markets, leveraging Exits MENA’s existing footprint in over seven global markets.

"We are now better aligned through ownership participation. Our team remains in place and will continue to expand. Our investment process remains unchanged. What changes is our capacity to grow and retain key talent. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Nader Elsayed as a shareholder and Executive Director. In contrast, Masa Arafa will continue her leading role as Investment Director with ownership alignment. With Exits MENA, we now have a broader regional platform behind us while developing the way we manage the firm and its portfolio."

Haytham Wagih, Managing Director and CEO of Avanz Capital Egypt.

The companies involved

Exits MENA was founded in 2022 by Mohamed Abuelnaga Nagaty, Ayman El Tanbouly, and Ahella El Saban. It launched as the region’s first investment platform and advisory firm specifically tailored for startups and SMEs. Since its inception, the company has rapidly expanded its influence, establishing a presence in seven global markets and building a network that connects investment readiness with capital access. Its digital-first approach to advisory has positioned it as a key intermediary in the MENA startup ecosystem.

Avanz Capital Egypt (ACE) is a private equity and asset management firm that has carved out a specialized niche within Egypt’s financial sector. The firm is primarily recognized for its mandate to strengthen the domestic private equity and venture capital landscape, particularly through its management of SME-focused funds. By becoming Exits Manara, the firm transitions from a standalone asset manager to a core component of a broader financial services group. The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) serves as the oversight body for this transaction, acting as the primary regulator for non-banking financial markets and instruments in Egypt.

What this means

This acquisition is a clear power move by Exits MENA to move up the value chain. By absorbing an established asset manager, they are no longer just "preparing" startups for investment; they now control the capital vehicles that deploy it. This vertical integration puts pressure on traditional boutique advisory firms in Cairo and Dubai that lack their own captive funds. The focus on "Manara 2" for exporters is particularly timely, as Egypt seeks to bolster foreign currency inflows through trade. Watch for Exits MENA to use this new institutional weight to compete for larger mid-market mandates that were previously the sole domain of established regional investment banks.