The acquisition will see Avanz Capital Egypt rebrand as Exits Manara, expanding Exits MENA’s platform into private equity and asset management as it builds a broader private capital ecosystem across Egypt and MENA.
Exits MENA has signed a multi-seven-figure transaction to acquire Avanz Capital Egypt (ACE) in partnership with the firm’s existing local management, marking a significant expansion of its financial services platform.
The transaction has received initial approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and forms part of Exits MENA’s strategy to build an integrated financial group serving startups, SMEs, investors, and financial institutions across Egypt and the wider MENA region.
Under the agreement, ACE’s existing management team, led by CEO and Managing Director Haytham Wagih, will remain in place and continue overseeing the firm’s operations and investment activities.
The deal brings private equity and asset management capabilities into Exits MENA’s existing advisory platform, creating a broader offering spanning investment readiness, transaction advisory, capital access, and private market investing.
Expanding Beyond Advisory
Founded in 2022 by Mohamed Abuelnaga Nagaty, Ayman El Tanbouly, and Ahella El Saban, Exits MENA has expanded into more than seven international markets and established more than 75 global partnerships.
The company says it has supported more than 2,000 businesses across the region while launching three investment-readiness programmes and advising on investment and strategic transactions.
Avanz Capital Egypt, meanwhile, has built its position in Egypt’s private equity ecosystem around SMEs and the development of the country’s private equity and venture capital markets.
“We are now better aligned through ownership participation. Our team remains in place and will continue to expand. Our investment process remains unchanged,” said Haytham Wagih, Managing Director and CEO of Avanz Capital Egypt.
Wagih added that the partnership would provide ACE with greater capacity to grow and retain talent while giving the firm access to Exits MENA’s wider regional platform.
For Exits MENA, the transaction represents a move toward connecting advisory services with a broader private capital infrastructure.
“This acquisition marks a defining step in Exits MENA’s journey to build an integrated financial group serving the region,” the company’s founding team said. “By bringing private equity and asset management capabilities into our platform, we are completing the ecosystem we set out to build for founders, SMEs, investors, and institutional partners.”
ACE to Become Exits Manara
Following completion of the transaction, Avanz Capital Egypt is expected to be rebranded as Exits Manara, becoming Exits MENA’s private capital and asset management subsidiary.
Exits Manara will continue managing and developing Manara 1, its existing fund of funds focused on SMEs.
The group also plans to establish Manara 2 for Export Investments, a new investment vehicle targeting mid-sized exporting companies with the potential to expand into international markets.
Exits MENA said the expanded group will maintain strict separation between advisory mandates and investment decision-making to preserve governance, independence, and alignment with investors.
Addressing MENA’s SME Financing Gap
The transaction comes as access to capital remains a major challenge for SMEs across the Middle East and North Africa.
According to World Bank figures cited by Exits MENA, SMEs in the region receive approximately 8% of total bank credit, compared with around 22% in high-income economies. CGAP estimates the Arab world’s SME financing gap at approximately $123 billion.
By combining advisory, private equity, and asset management capabilities, Exits MENA is positioning itself to participate across a larger part of the private capital lifecycle — from preparing businesses for investment to deploying and managing capital.
The acquisition also signals the continued evolution of Egypt’s private capital market as regional investment platforms look to build deeper institutional infrastructure around SMEs, growth companies, and alternative assets.
