Exits MENA Acquires Avanz Capital Egypt, Expanding into

Exits MENA has agreed to acquire Avanz Capital Egypt (ACE), marking the company’s expansion into direct investments and asset management in Egypt after receiving preliminary no‑objection approval from Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). The deal will see ACE rebranded as Exits Manara and operate as a subsidiary focused on private investments, managing the existing Manara I Fund and preparing to launch Manara 2 – Export Growth, a vehicle targeting mid‑sized exporting companies.

"Management’s participation in the new ownership structure will strengthen alignment of interests," said Haitham Wagih, CEO and Managing Director of Avanz Capital Egypt, adding that "the team will continue to oversee operations and expansion plans while maintaining its established investment approach."

Transaction structure and continuity

The acquisition relocates Exits MENA from a predominantly advisory role into a broader private capital market footprint by adding specialized private investment management capabilities. Under the agreement, ACE’s current management team will remain in place, led by Wagih, with Dr. Nader El‑Sayed joining the ownership structure as a shareholder and Executive Director, and Masa Arafa continuing as Investment Director with an ownership stake.

• Preliminary no‑objection approval was granted by Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA).
• Avanz Capital Egypt will be rebranded as Exits Manara and operate as a subsidiary of Exits MENA.
• Exits Manara will manage Manara I Fund and develop Manara 2 – Export Growth focused on exporting SMEs.

Context: a strategic shift for Exits MENA

Founded in 2022 by Mohamed Abou El‑Naga Nagaty, Ayman El‑Tanbouly and Ahla El‑Sabban, Exits MENA has expanded into more than seven markets and built a network of over 75 global partnerships. The firm runs three ongoing investment‑readiness programs and says it has supported more than 2,000 companies across the region. The acquisition adds a dedicated arm for direct investments and asset management to complement Exits MENA’s advisory and investment‑readiness services.

The company has framed this move as part of a broader strategy to create an integrated financial platform combining investment advisory, direct investment and asset management services under one umbrella, enabling it to serve entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors and institutional partners with scalable investment opportunities.

Outlook and market implications

Exits Manara will aim to scale assets under management and back established and high‑growth companies, while the planned Manara 2 – Export Growth fund will target companies seeking to expand into international markets. The transaction comes amid persistent financing shortfalls for SMEs in the region: World Bank data cited by the parties shows SMEs receive roughly 8% of total bank credit in the Middle East and North Africa compared with 22% in high‑income economies, and CGAP estimates the SME financing gap across the Arab world at approximately $123 billion.

By combining Exits MENA’s regional network with ACE’s existing investment platform and management team, the partners say they expect to accelerate private capital deployment into SMEs and mid‑market exporters, while maintaining continuity for existing investors and clients through the transition.