Safari Bidco SA Proprietary Limited (“Safari”) has received approval from the Competition Commission to acquire SYSPRO Proprietary Limited (“SYSPRO”), with specific conditions attached to the transaction. This acquisition is part of a broader strategic move by Safari, which is ultimately controlled by Safari UK Holdco Limited, a UK-based entity under AI Global Investments, itself managed by global private equity firm Advent International L.P.
Advent International, a major player in global private equity, manages investments in various industries including technology, healthcare, retail, and business services. Through its new entity, Safari, the firm is expanding its footprint in the technology sector with the acquisition of SYSPRO, a leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. SYSPRO’s software solutions are used primarily in manufacturing and distribution, offering automation and integration of business processes such as order management, inventory tracking, and financial data handling.
The Commission concluded that the transaction is unlikely to significantly affect competition in the market. However, to address potential employment concerns, conditions were imposed. Notably, Safari has agreed not to retrench any SYSPRO employees for two years following the merger. Additionally, an employee share ownership program (ESOP) will be established within the same period to benefit participating employees.
This acquisition marks a significant step for both companies as Safari gains a foothold in the ERP market, and SYSPRO continues to strengthen its position as a key technology provider in the manufacturing and distribution sectors across Africa.
