17 Dec 2021
SweepSouth acquires Egyptian startup, Filkhedma
INTRO
SweepSouth acquires Egyptian startup, Filkhedma
- SweepSouth, will become one of a few startups operating in Africa’s four key tech markets
- This acquisition will place SweepSouth in a strategically strong position to enter neighbouring geographies
- This 100% acquisition almost doubles SweepSouth’s addressable market on the continent and paves the way for the launch of new services in South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria
- This is a key intra-African acquisition by two tech startups in the same vertical
December 17; Cape Town, South Africa: South African-born SweepSouth, Africa’s largest online home services platform, is excited to announce its acquisition of Egyptian startup, Filkhedma.
Filkhedma is Egypt’s leading home services marketplace operating across three cities and serving tens of thousands of customers with cleaning, maintenance, and beauty services while empowering over 2 000 service providers through technology with consistent incomes and professional development.
“We are thrilled to have Filkhedma as part of the SweepSouth family,” says Aisha Pandor, CEO and Co-founder of SweepSouth. “It’s not only their services that align with ours, but also their values and culture. Just like us, Filkhedma is passionate about providing quality and trusted home services, while creating work opportunities for those who need it most.” Co-founder Alen Ribic added, “We’ve proven out our technology and operational expertise in numerous markets in sub-Saharan Africa, and this acquisition gives us the opportunity to extend that reach into Egypt, a huge market with millions of households. Coming together with the Filkhedma team represents the next phase of building SweepSouth into a global platform that will continue to expand our services not only on the continent but further abroad as well.”
Omar Ramadan, CEO and Founder of Filkhedma, says: “We are happy with this incredible milestone and excited about joining forces with the SweepSouth team to fulfil our vision of empowering providers and delivering quality services in Africa and beyond. We already have well over 2 000 service providers on our platform and we’re confident that with the backing of SweepSouth, we will be able to sign up many more and expand into neighbouring countries, too.”
Pandor notes that Ramadan will play a key role in the executive team of the combined entity and that all employees of Filkhedma will stay on.
The acquisition means that SweepSouth will be one of a few African startups operating in the continent’s four key tech ecosystems of South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria. It also means that all markets will have access to new services almost immediately, while the company as a whole will be primed for further expansion into other parts of Africa and the Middle East.
About Naspers
Established in 1915, Naspers has transformed itself to become a global consumer internet company and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Through Prosus, the group operates and invests globally in markets with long-term growth potential, building leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus has its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam, and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Naspers is the majority owner of Prosus.
In South Africa, Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the technology sector and is committed to building its internet and ecommerce companies. These include Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Autotrader, Property24 and PayU, in addition to Media24, South Africa’s leading print and digital media business.
Naspers has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (NPN.SJ), a secondary listing on the A2X Exchange (NPN.AJ) in South Africa, and has a level 1 American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme which trades on an over-the-counter basis in the United States of America.
For more information, please visit www.naspers.com.
Naspers Labs
In 2019, Naspers Labs, a youth development programme designed to transform and launch South Africa’s unemployed youth into economic activity, was launched. Naspers Labs focuses on digital skills and training, enabling young people to pursue tech careers.
Response to COVID-19
Naspers contributed R1.5 billion of emergency aid to support the South African government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This contribution consisted of R500 million towards the Solidarity Fund and R1 billion worth of PPE sourced and distributed to South Africa’s front-line healthcare workers. In addition, Naspers contributed R6.9 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's EachOne FeedOne programme to support families who COVID-19 has impacted with meals for a year.