Alain Nkontchou’s Enko Capital acquires Servair fast-food unit, Burger King

Enko Capital, the African-focused asset management firm co-founded by Cameroonian multimillionaire banker Alain Nkontchou, has agreed to acquire the fast-food operations of Servair Côte d’Ivoire, including the local Burger King franchise. 

The deal, announced April 23, marks a shift for both parties. Servair is stepping back from non-core businesses, while Enko Capital is moving into Côte d’Ivoire’s growing quick-service restaurant market with an established brand and operating footprint.

Servair sells unit, refocuses Abidjan aviation

Servair said the sale aligns with its plan to concentrate on aviation-related services. The company is redirecting resources to aircraft catering, food supply and cleaning services for airlines at Abidjan’s international airport. 

The move follows a period of recovery in West African air travel, supported by the return of international routes and the expansion of regional hubs. Servair, founded in 1968 as Abidjan Catering, built its business serving airlines before diversifying into other sectors in 2012 to cushion swings in passenger traffic. That diversification is now being pared back. 

The financial impact of the transaction will depend on how the fast-food unit was structured. If it was part of Servair Côte d’Ivoire’s consolidated accounts, the disposal could alter revenue mix from the 2026 financial year and shift key metrics tracked by investors. 

Servair Côte d’Ivoire remains a central player in the country’s aviation catering market, and the sale highlights a broader effort by its parent group, Gategroup, to streamline operations and manage assets across selected African markets.

Enko Capital expands consumer exposure 

For Enko Capital, the acquisition offers a direct entry into a consumer-facing sector in one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies. 

The firm, founded in 2008, manages about $1.6 billion across debt, private debt and equity strategies, with operations spanning London and Johannesburg. Its investment approach has largely focused on structured opportunities across African markets, combining local insight with institutional capital. 

Taking over the Burger King franchise in Côte d’Ivoire adds a new dimension to that strategy, giving Enko exposure to consumer spending trends alongside its existing portfolio. 

Nkontchou builds influence across African finance

Alain Nkontchou, Enko’s co-founder and managing partner, leads the firm’s debt strategies and advises its private equity activities. He previously held senior trading roles at Credit Suisse and JPMorgan, and also worked at BlueCrest Capital Management. Beyond Enko, Nkontchou has been active in African banking. 

He previously chaired Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and, in 2025, acquired a 21.22% stake in the lender through his investment vehicle, Bosquet Investments Limited. The deal lifted his holding to 24.03%, solidifying his position as the lender’s largest shareholder.

The Servair-Enko deal reflects a practical recalibration on both sides—one company doubling down on its core service, the other adding exposure to consumer spending in a key West African market.