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700 million people will make their home in African cities over the next decade, said DPI’s Marc Stoneham

Good morning, Hubsters. MK Flynn here with today’s Wire.

We’re hearing more and more about VC and PE deals involving Africa, and we’ve got an interview today that shares some insights on why.

Also, earlier this morning, we had a scoop on another investment in a strategic communications company.

Let’s get right into those stories.

African urbanization

“We are seeing one of the fastest chapters of urbanization, probably, in human history,” Marc Stoneham, a partner at Development Partners International (DPI) told PE Hub Europe’s Craig McGlashan. “Approximately 700 million people will make their home in African cities over the next decade.”

Based in London, DPI is an Africa-focused private investment firm with more than $3 billion in AUM.

To learn more about that deal and trends investing in Africa, read the premium version of the Wire (subscription required).

And if you’re investing in Africa, I’d love to hear about it. Email me at [email protected].

Persuasion

It’s more important than ever for a company to communicate effectively in real time, especially when you consider that its reputation can be made or broken at lightning speed, thanks to social media and nonstop news. As demand for strategic communications grows, organizations are turning to specialized agencies, and PE firms are quickly snatching them up.

Earlier this morning, New York PE firm Broad Sky Partners announced a significant investment in Bully Pulpit Interactive (BPI), a Washington DC-based organization that focuses on the “persuasion business,” including strategic communications and public affairs. Broad Sky bought the stake from Svoboda Capital Partners, which remains a minority investor.

The deal follows KKR‘s announcement earlier in April that it would make a growth investment in FGS Global, a global strategic advisory and communications consultancy based in New York.

PE Hub’s Obey Martin Manayiti was the first to report Broad Sky’s deal.

Subscribe to PE Hub for more details, including Obey’s interview with Broad Sky and BPI.

Speaking of Obey … he’ll be back with you tomorrow for Friday’s Wire.

And I’ll “see” you Monday.

Until then, happy dealmaking,

MK

Read the full wire commentary on PE Hub ...

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