EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding company and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced today that its Investment Banking division has successfully concluded a landmark sell-side advisory role, marking the exit of a consortium led by AfricInvest from Masria Digital Payments (MDP), the region’s leading payments technology infrastructure provider.
The transaction marks the complete exit of AfricInvest from MDP through the sale of their stake to a distinguished investor consortium led by Lorax Capital Partners (LCP) and backed by global development finance institutions including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Proparco.
This milestone builds on EFG Hermes’ continued partnership with MDP, following its original advisory role in 2020 on the investment of AfricInvest into the company. This deal catalyzed MDP’s transition into a digitally driven, regional fintech powerhouse. The transaction underscores EFG Hermes’ Investment Banking Division’s expertise and proven track record in advising on landmark deals within the payments sector, further cementing its position as a leading advisor in the region.
MDP has since evolved into a market leader in integrated payments infrastructure, delivering card issuing, processing, and cloud-native digital solutions to over 200 banks and 60 fintech players across the MENA region. With over 1 billion transactions processed and more than 350 million cards issued, MDP is a key enabler of financial inclusion and digital transformation across emerging markets.
Mostafa Gad, Global Head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, said, “Our work with MDP is a prime example of how EFG Hermes continues to deliver strategic, long-term value to clients operating at the intersection of finance and technology. From the entry of AfricInvest in 2020 to this landmark exit in 2025, we’ve been proud to serve as a trusted partner in a journey that has seen MDP scale into a regional fintech champion. This transaction reaffirms our leading position in advising high-impact digital infrastructure deals across MENA and Africa.”
Ahmed Nafie, Co-Founder and CEO of MDP, commented on the partnership, “This transaction marks a pivotal moment in MDP’s journey. EFG Hermes has been a key advisor to MDP since 2020, when it supported the entry of AfricInvest into the company. Their deep knowledge and consistent support over the years have been instrumental in helping us attract strategic investors and navigate major milestones. This transaction reflects the strong foundation we’ve built together and sets the stage for continued growth and innovation in digital payments across the region.”
Ismail Talbi, Senior Partner at AfricInvest, stated, “Our partnership with EFG Hermes has contributed to the success of our investment in MDP. Their guidance during our entry in 2020, and again through this exit, reflects a deep understanding of both the payments space and the regional investment landscape. Their role has been key in driving a successful exit and reinforcing MDP’s position as a fintech leader in the MENA region.”
