ZAMBEEF RAISE 23 MILLION DOLLARS CASH TO BUY-BACK OF SHARES FROM RCL FOODS A SOUTH AFRICAN FIRM.

ZAMBEEF Products is set to restore its Zamhatch and Zam Chick businesses to full Zambian ownership through a US$23 million cash buy-back of shares from a South African joint venture partner.

Zambeef Products Plc is one of the largest integrated food companies in Zambia and the region, the group is principally involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, stockfeed and flour.

The nation’s largest food processor and retailer has raised US$65 million in new capital in order to take full ownership of the subsidiaries, as well as further reduce its debt levels and fund capital investment plans.

The transaction will also lessen Zambeef’s exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.

The Zamhatch hatchery and Zam Chick broiler divisions were set up as joint ventures between Zambeef and RCL Foods in 2013, with Zambeef holding 49 percent of Zamhatch and 51 percent of Zam Chick.

Under the agreement, RCL of South Africa had an option to sell its shares back to Zambeef for cash or Zambeef shares equivalent to US$14.25 for RCL’s stake in Zam Chick and US$9.126 million for Zamhatch. The ‘put’ option is exercisable on or before September 23, 2016.

ZAMCHICKS 

Subject to shareholder approval, Zambeef has opted to pay for the Zamhatch shares in cash, which has been raised through the issue of new ordinary shares and convertible preference shares to the world’s oldest development finance institution, the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC).

Under the transaction CDC is investing US$65 million in Zambeef: US$9.5 million in return for 52.6 million ordinary shares and US$55.5 million for 100 million convertible redeemable preference shares. The investment gives the institution a 17.5 percent stake in Zambeef, which is listed on the Lusaka and London stock exchanges.

“It is a measure of CDC’s confidence in Zambeef, its management and business model that one of the world’s most well-respected and prudent investment houses has opted to invest in the company,” said Zambeef chairman Dr Jacob Mwanza.

“The transaction will enable the group to reduce its debt, lessen exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and accelerate the company’s plans to paying dividends,” he added.

The move is also in line with the strategic objectives set out in the company’s annual report to reduce gearing and focus on its core business of cold chain food processing and retailing, and will allow it to continue to roll out expansion of its distribution and retailing platform in Zambia and the region.

The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) – to which every employee and employer in the country contributes – is the single largest Zambian shareholder in Zambeef, owning some 25 million shares amounting to 10 percent of the company.