Global Growth Markets Investment Firm Actis Acquires SE Asia Payments Services Provider GHL Systems
Actis is a leading investor in growth markets, having raised over $12bn since the company was founded. GHL supplies more than 150,000 POS systems across ASEAN.
With a portfolio of investments across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Last week the firm acquired a 44.4% stake in Kuala Lumpur headquartered GHL Systems, from private equity firm Creador; Simon Loh, GHL’s Executive Vice Chairman, retains a 19.1% stake in the company.
GHL, which is listed on the Bursa Malaysia Stock Exchange (GHLS: MK), provides “integrated end-to-end payment services and solutions encompassing physical, internet and mobile payments on a sale, rental or transaction basis.”
The group also looks after telecommunications companies, retailers and airlines in ASEAN, supplying more than 150,000 POS systems across ASEAN markets including Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Services provided include credit card, debit card, prepaid contactless payment, loyalty, prepaid top up and bill payment collection.
“We are extremely excited by the opportunity to partner with Simon and the management team and bring what we have learned in other markets to help GHL to scale and cement its position as a regional leader", said Actis Partner Hossam Abou Moussa.
Simon Loh commented “Together, we are fully aligned in our ambition to become the leading end-to-end payment service provider in ASEAN by deploying world-class payment infrastructure, technology and to further expand our growing footprint into new ASEAN markets."
GHL has a market capitalization of RM 752 million, having been a member of Bursa Malaysia since 2003.
Asia has emerged as a Fintech hub to rival that of London, Europe, and Silicon Valley and New York in recent years. The region has proved to be an early adopter of mobile banking and payments systems, perhaps because the region’s banks and financial institutions have less onerous legacy systems in place than in Europe or the US, which makes them more agile and quicker to adapt to changing customer needs.
