Press release from the Competition Council regarding the economic concentration project concerning the joint takeover by the investment fund ‘Colombus 1 SA’, managed by the company ‘Red Med Private Equity SA’, of the company ‘Granal SARL’ alongside the historical partners, the company ‘Africorp Consortium SA’ and Mr. Omar Lahlou

In accordance with Article 13 of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition and Article 10 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for its implementation, as amended and supplemented, the Competition Council makes available to the public the ‘operation summary’ below, containing the information provided by the parties.

This information has been prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. Any inaccurate or distorted information contained therein does not in any way prejudge the Competition Council’s position on the proposed operation.

The publication of this press release does not attest to the completeness of the file provided for in Article 9 of Decree No. 2-14-652 issued for the implementation of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition, as amended and supplemented.

Names of the companies and groups involved:

• The acquirer: ‘Colombus 1 SA’;
• The historical partners: ‘Africorp Consortium SA’ and Mr. Omar Lahlou;
• The target: ‘Granal SARL’.

Nature of the operation:

• Joint takeover.

Economic sectors concerned:

• Exploitation of aggregate and washed sand quarries;
• Provision of crushing services for mining operators and civil engineering contractors in Morocco.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their observations:

• 10 days from the date of publication of this press release, i.e. April 28, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION PROVIDED BY THE PARTIES

The Competition Council has received notification of an economic concentration operation consisting of the joint takeover by the investment fund ‘Colombus 1 SA’, managed by the company ‘Red Med Private Equity SA’, of the company ‘Granal SARL’ alongside the historical partners, the company ‘Africorp Consortium SA’ and Mr. Omar Lahlou.

‘Colombus 1 SA’ is a Moroccan joint stock company with its registered office at 23, Ibnou Hilal Street, Racine District in Casablanca, registered with the Casablanca Trade Register under number 544769. It is active in investing in Moroccan and pan-African SMEs with high development potential. The fund is managed by the company ‘Red Med Private Equity SA’.

‘Granal SARL’ is a limited liability company with its registered office at 277-279, Zerktouni Boulevard in Casablanca, registered with the Casablanca Trade Register under number 153193. It is active in the production and marketing of construction materials through the operation of aggregate and washed sand quarries as well as the provision of crushing services for mining operators and civil engineering contractors.

 

Done in Rabat, April 17, 2025