Authors
CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre’s Africa team advised the Rougier group in Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Gabon’s acquisition of an interest in Rougier Afrique International, the leading natural forest manager in the Congo basin.
Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Gabon has signed a partnership agreement with the Rougier group under which it will acquire a 35% interest in French subsidiary Rougier Afrique International for €24 million. This investment is part of a long-term approach that will allow Rougier to actively pursue its development strategy in the Congo basin.
With more than two million hectares of certified forest concession (of which some 35% is FSC® approved) across Gabon, Cameroon and Republic of the Congo, Rougier Afrique International oversees all of the group’s industrial and sales operations in connection with the harvesting of natural forests in the Congo basin.
The divestment of a 35% interest in Rougier Afrique International will immediately strengthen Rougier’s balance sheet by significantly increasing consolidated equity. Backed by this stronger financial position, the group will be able to pursue its ambitions in two key areas:
- Expanding its natural forest operations in the Congo basin by accelerating industrialisation and certification programmes and by deploying a strategy of growth through acquisitions. This approach is designed to establish Rougier Afrique International’s leadership position as a major player in high-performance, sustainable forestry.
- Diversifying its activities more quickly through the development of industrial plantation forests, a growth relay for Rougier’s expertise in tropical Africa.
Legal advisors:
Rougier was advised by CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre’s Africa specialists (Pierre Marly, Partner, and Nicole Marielle, Lawyer), while Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Gabon was advised by PriceWaterhouseCoopers Gabon (Xavier Pommera).
About Rougier
Founded in 1923, the Rougier Group is a market leader for certified African tropical timber. The Group operates around three activities: Rougier Afrique International (sustainably managed forest production, industrial processing and international trade), Lignafrica (research, management and investment in industrial forest plantations in Africa), Rougier Sylvaco and Rougier Panneaux (importing and distribution in France of timber from all origins).
For further information, please contact :
- Nicolas Merigeau, NewCap - +33 1 44 71 94 98
- Florence Jouffroy / Laetitia Mostowski, CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre - +33 1 47 38 40 32 / 74
