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Cape Town - Ecsponent Limited [JSE:ECS] is a Pan African financial services group of companies that specialises in capital raising, credit and capital growth in specific niche market sectors.
Since listing on the JSE in 1998, and after the then fledgling data-tech company was impacted by the dotcom market collapse, the company invested in two subsidiaries in 2010 - biotechnology specialist, Lazaron, and an agricultural manufacturing business called Vinguard.
The management change in late 2010 introduced a clear focus on the financial services market which has resulted in an organic and acquisitive growth strategy in South Africa and Africa.
Since then the group has strongly entrenched itself within the financial services sector with over 20 subsidiaries across South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland and Zambia.
The group has experienced unprecedented growth over the past five years with total assets increasing by 1 611.51%. At the end of the 2014 financial year, group revenue grew by 54% and operating profits grew by 39% from the 2013 period.
The group is backed by a strong management team with a wealth of industry experience, and going forward its growth strategy is focused on working towards innovative product and market extension; aggressive management of existing businesses; cost reductions and acquisition of businesses that are profit generating and aligned with the group’s strategy to ensure sustainable, long term, wealth generation.
The financial services arm is continuing to focus on growing its financial services footprint into targeted countries in Africa, having established operations in Botswana and Swaziland during the December 2014 financial year.
As part of its African expansion strategy, the Group recently secured a micro-finance deposit-taking license from the Bank of Zambia and is establishing operational infrastructure in the country.
With the demand for credit remaining buoyant, Ecsponent continues to provide market relevant products which take cognisance of developments in the regulatory environment.
In terms of its specialised SMME offering, Ecsponent offers small business owners and potential entrepreneurs access to invoice discounting, purchase order finance, hybrid/equity finance and trade finance products.
Ecsponent’s Private Equity growth strategy is focused on investing in and growing opportunities that are high tech, with high margins and have high barriers to entry. Private Equity investments currently include a substantial investment in biotechnology, property development, engineering and media intelligence.
The group continues to evaluate potential acquisitions particularly those which contribute to the growth of its financial services footprint in Africa, or have synergies with existing financial services assets held by the Group.
The group’s expansion plans are strongly focused on the organic growth of the existing companies and it invests substantially in this growth.
Shareholders can invest in the business through the acquisition of listed ordinary and preference shares.
