On Monday, 16th of October 2017, a leading growth markets investor, Actis, announced that it will be providing US$100,000 in sponsorship for two Honoris United Universities graduates to complete a postgraduate qualification at the world’s leading educational establishments.

“We are proud to provide this sponsorship. It reflects the calibre of Honoris United Universities’ graduates and the benefits we see in international mobility. Through the companies we have invested in, we employ over 100,000 people across Africa. We know that African businesses have international ambitions and we understand that they are looking for candidates with global perspectives who also understand the diversity of Africa and its local markets while demonstrating the skills to operate successfully,” said Rick Phillips, a partner at Actis.

According to Actis, the graduates will have the opportunity to apply for these scholarships to study at world-class institutions (such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, or a Russell Group University in the UK or at an Ivy League or similarly prestigious university in the US). The first beneficiaries of the scholarship are expected to start in October 2018.

Actis launched Honoris United Universities in July 2017. It is the first and largest pan-African private higher education network and brings together the leading tertiary education institutions in North and Southern Africa.

Honoris United Universities brings together a collaborative student community, whose cultural agility supports regional mobility not just on the African continent but also internationally. More than 27,000 students in nine countries and 30 cities are registered in the institutions’ network, either on site, in campuses, in learning centers, or via blended or online education.

“These scholarships embody the international mobility and collaborative intelligence at the core of Honoris United Universities’ values. We are proud to be forming Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders by providing high quality, accessible education. We are delighted that our graduates will benefit from this opportunity to further widen their horizons and we firmly believe that they will also offer fantastic perspectives, forged in Africa, to these leading establishments,” said Luis Lopez, CEO of Honoris United Universities.

The eligibility criteria for the Actis International Scholarship are available at the Provost’s Office of each Honoris’ institution.

What you need to know about Honoris United Universities

  • Honoris United Universities is the first pan-African private higher education network committed to preparing and educating the next generation of African leaders and professionals able to impact regionally in a globalized world.
  • Honoris United Universities gathers a community of 27,000 students on 48 campuses, learning centers and on-line, in 9 countries and 30 cities across Africa.
  • More than 100 degrees are offered in the fields of Health Science, Engineering, IT, Business, Law, Architecture, Arts and Design, Media, Education and Political Science.

Here is what you didn’t know about Actis

  • Over the past decade, Actis has invested in assets valued at $1.4 billion on a gross asset value basis.
  • In 2014, Actis sold part of its share in Ugandan power utility, Umeme, to institutional and retail investors, reducing its stake from 60.08 percent to 14.3 percent.
  • In 2015, it sold its 30 percent stake in Globeleq Africa, the energy company that owns the 75 megawatts, Kenyan-based thermal power generator, Tsavo Power, to CDC and Norwegian development financier, Norfund. This deal was worth $227 million.
  • In November 2015, Actis bought a majority stake in Nigerian fund manager, Sigma Pensions, for $62 million. It also invested $65 million in South Africa’s leading independent sports and lifestyle shoe retailer, Tekkie Town.
  • It has invested heavily in several business sectors in Nigeria, which earned it an award in 2014 as the ‘Firm of the Year in Africa’ by Private Equity International as well as an ‘African Infrastructure Fund Manager of the Year, 2014’ by Infrastructure Investor.
  • Actis’ energy business invests in buy-and-build power generation and distribution businesses in Latin America, Africa and South Asia. The funds have invested over US$2.1 billion in more than 31 companies across 25+ countries generating 15GW of energy capacity and directly impacted 68 million consumers.
  • Over 40 percent of Actis’ investments are located across Africa. With $3 billion invested in the continent, Africa is at the heart of the firm’s strategy.
  • Actis has extensive domain knowledge in education and has invested and committed over $US 500m in recent years in the sector in China, Brazil and across Africa.
  • Actis believes access to quality education is integral to developing the next generation of leaders capable of positively impacting tomorrow’s societies and economies.

Elsewhere on Ventures

Triangle arrow