Nissui Corporation will expand its portfolio in Africa through investment in two private equity funds from Africa- and Europe-focused investment firm Amethis.
Image: Nissui Corporation.
Nissui Europe, a subsidiary of Nissui Corporation, has decided to invest in two private equity funds of the Africa and Europe-focused investment firm Amethis. Both funds intend to invest in various sectors, including agriculture and food. Specifically, they plan to focus on mid-cap African companies and European SMEs with international development potential, especially in Africa.
"Demand for seafood is expected to grow worldwide, particularly in Asia and Africa. In its long-term vision for 2030, Nissui positions 'expansion of the aquaculture business' as a key factor in its future growth, as the Company looks forward to serving the burgeoning demand for these products," Teru Tanaka, Deputy Marine Products Business Operating Officer In charge of Aquaculture Business Promotion Department, said in the Group's Integrated Report 2023.
Now, in the release announcing this investment in Amethis private equity funds, Nissui confirms it has been accelerating the expansion of its global business under its 'Good Foods 2030' vision.
"We have come to recognize the seafood and food markets of African countries where rapid population growth and economic growth are expected in the future as a potential strategic move toward further long-term growth," it says.
"We will explore business opportunities by accessing useful information in a timely manner through investment in the funds and collaboration with Amethis," it continues.
And concludes, "We believe that this investment will not only contribute to the development of local economies, but also put into practice Nissui's mission 'With the wellbeing of the ocean and people as our compass, we are driven to offer the world better food choices'."
This investment in Africa by Nissui Europe comes just a few months after the Japanese seafood giant expanded its global reach with the acquisition of Maxima Seafood, a leading processor in the Netherlands, thus also expanding its European portfolio.
Nissui Corporation is a seafood products company based in Tokyo, Japan, whose President and CEO is Shingo Hamada. Founded in March 1911 as the fishing division of Tamura Steamship Company, in April 2022, the company redefined its mission along with its long-term vision 'Good Foods 2030', and in December of the same year changed its trade name from 'Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.' to 'Nissui Corporation'. It has subsidiaries and associated companies in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and other Asian countries, as well as in Europe, and North and South America.
Founded in October 2011 by Luc Rigouzzo and Laurent Demey, in partnership with the Edmond de Rothschild Group, Amethis has managed multiple funds dedicated to Africa with 1.1 billion euros of capital raised. Sourcing and value-creation activities are driven by their four local offices in Abidjan, Nairobi, Casablanca Cairo, and the European offices in Paris and Luxembourg.
