Egypt’s B Investments, chaired by Hazem Barakat, eyes 53.5% stake in BIG Investment Group

B Investments Holding, the Egypt-based private equity firm co-founded by businessman Hazem Barakat and Aladdin Saba, has approved the acquisition of a 53.5% stake in BIG Investment Group Ltd., giving it majority ownership of a company that holds a 20.4% stake in Madinet Masr for Housing and Development.

The transaction, approved by B Investments’ board on September 15, 2026, will be executed through a capital increase rather than a cash payment. Shareholders of BIG Investment Group will receive newly issued shares in B Investments as consideration, subject to applicable Egyptian Exchange rules and regulatory approvals.

Hazem Barakat-chaired firm targets majority control of BIG Investment Group

Under the proposed transaction, the private equity firm chaired by Hazem Barakat will acquire 53.5% of BIG Investment Group, indirectly gaining exposure to its 20.4% holding in Madinet Masr, one of Egypt’s listed real estate developers.

The transaction will increase B Investments’ share capital through the issuance of new shares to BIG shareholders. The board approved a disclosure report prepared under Article 48 of the EGX Listing Rules and authorized management to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting after obtaining approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority.

The board has also authorized its chairman or managing director to appoint an independent financial adviser registered with the FRA if required as part of the transaction.

Hazem Barakat expands investment footprint

Barakat co-founded B Investments in 2006 with a strategy focused on investing in Egyptian businesses with growth potential. He serves as chairman of B Investments and BPE Partners and is a member of BPE Partners’ investment committee.

He also serves as non-executive chairman of Madinet Masr and sits on the boards of Al-Ismaelia, Basata E-Payments, Basata Finance, B Healthcare Investments, The Egyptian IVF Center and Daikin Egypt.

Before establishing BPE Partners, Barakat co-founded Miraco-Carrier, an air-conditioning manufacturer, and Engineering Plastic Manufacturing.

BIG transaction reshapes exposure to Madinet Masr

The acquisition would alter the ownership structure of BIG Investment Group while providing B Investments with an indirect interest in BIG’s existing 20.4% stake in Madinet Masr.

For BIG shareholders, the consideration will be delivered through newly issued B Investments shares, making the transaction both an acquisition and a capital-raising exercise for the private equity firm.

B Investments’ existing shareholders include OTMT Acquisition S.à R.L., with over 21%, Travco Group International Holding and related Sawiris family entities, holds 10%, and Rimco EGT Investment LLC, with roughly 7.78%. Other significant holdings include Rolaco EGB Investment at approximately 6.55%, while Barakat and associated family members hold about 4.8%, according to the ownership information provided.

Regulatory approvals remain key

The transaction remains subject to regulatory steps before completion. B Investments must obtain FRA approval and subsequently convene an Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the proposed acquisition and related capital increase.

Separately, the company’s board approved a resolution concerning the potential waiver of B Investments’ preemptive right to subscribe to a capital increase by B Ventures for Research and Services, a subsidiary of B Investments. That matter will be considered at an Ordinary General Meeting.

The completion of the BIG Investment Group acquisition and the resulting capital increase will determine the final ownership structure and the extent of B Investments’ indirect exposure to Madinet Masr.