Starsight Energy Africa v Solarafrica Energy (LM157Dec22) [2023] ZACT 11 (22 January 2023)

60 Reportability
Competition Law

Brief Summary

Competition Law — Merger Approval — Conditional approval of mergers involving energy infrastructure — Starsight Energy Africa Holding Ltd to acquire SolarAfrica Energy (Pty) Ltd and IDEAS Infrastructure I GP (Pty) Ltd to acquire shares in SolarAfrica Energy (Pty) Ltd, both approved with conditions — Unico Property Partners (Pty) Ltd's acquisition of six industrial properties from Khumonetix (Pty) Ltd approved unconditionally — Tribunal's assessment of competition impact and compliance with merger regulations.

Case No: LM157Dec22

Merger Alert

Date of release: 23 February 2023


OUTCOME OF MERGERS DECIDED BY THE TRIBUNAL


Type of matter Large merger
Starsight Energy Africa Holding (Ltd) and SolarAfrica
Energy (Pty) Ltd
Approved with conditions

Parties involved Large merger
IDEAS Infrastructure I GP (Pty) Ltd and SolarAfrica Energy
(Pty) Ltd
Approved with conditions

Tribunal decision Large merger
Unico Property Partners (Pty) Ltd and Khumonetix (Pty) Ltd
in respect of six industrial properties
Approved without conditions


Starsight Energy Africa Holding (Ltd) and SolarAfrica Energy (Pty) Ltd

The Tribunal has conditionally approved the merger wherein Starsight Energy Africa
Holding Ltd (“Starsight Energy”) intends to acquire SolarAfrica Energy (Pty) Ltd
(“SolarAfrica Energy”) from SolarAfrica (Africa) Ltd (“SolarAfrica (Africa”)).

The acquiring group supplies energy infrastructure, in particular, solar photovoltaic
(solar PV). The target group supplies renewable energy solutions, including solar PV,
to commercial and industrial sectors.

A full press release will be issued in due course.

IDEAS Infrastructure I GP (Pty) Ltd and SolarAfrica Energy (Pty) Ltd

The Tribunal has conditionally approved the merger wherein IDEAS Infrastructure I
GP (Pty) Ltd (“IDEAS”) intends to acquire shares in SolarAfrica Energy (Pty) Ltd
(“SolarAfrica Energy”).

The primary acquiring firm is IDEAS, a domestic private infrastructure fund. The
acquiring group is active in supplying energy infrastructure, in particular, solar PV,
while the target group supplies solar PV to the commercial and industrial sectors.

A full press release will be issued in due course.

Unico Property Partners (Pty) Ltd and Khumonetix (Pty) Ltd in respect of six
industrial properties

The Tribunal has unconditionally approved the large merger wherein Unico Property
Partners (Pty) Ltd (“Unico Property Partners”) intends to acquire six industrial
properties from Khumonetix (Pty) Ltd (“Khumonetix”). Unico Property Partners is a
newly established property investment company for the purposes of the proposed
transaction. The six light industrial properties are all located in Gauteng.


Issued by:

Gillian de Gouveia, Communications Officer
On behalf of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 12 394 1383
Cell: +27 (0) 82 410 1195

E-Mail: GillianD@comptrib.co.za
Twitter: @comptrib

Date: 2023.02.22