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- Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Liquid Intelligent Technologies Funding, Investors & Competitors
Liquid Intelligent Technologies has raised $786M across 4 funding rounds, most recently a $49M undisclosed-stage round in November 2023.
Last Liquid Intelligent Technologies funding round
$49M
Undisclosed stage · Nov 2023
Cumulative funding Liquid Intelligent Technologies raised
$786M
across 4 funding rounds
Key investors in Liquid Intelligent Technologies
British International Investment
International Finance Corporation
IFC Venture Capital Group
Rand Merchant Bank
About Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a pan-African digital infrastructure company operating Africa's largest independent fiber optic network spanning over 106,000 kilometers across nine countries including Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Botswana. Headquartered in Ebène, Mauritius, and founded in 2004, it delivers data center colocation, cloud services, voice connectivity, and IP transit to enterprises, governments, and carriers. The Johannesburg-based entity powers connectivity for major banks like Standard Bank and telecoms such as Vodacom, with recent expansions into AI-ready data centers in East and Southern Africa.
Founded
2004
HQ
Website
Status
Privately held
Customer focus
B2B & B2G
Revenue model
Subscription
Sectors
Liquid Intelligent Technologies Funding History
Liquid Intelligent Technologies has raised a total of $786M across 4 funding rounds.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies' first fundraising round was a $180M undisclosed-stage round in December 2018. The most recent completed round was a $49M undisclosed-stage round in November 2023.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies funding rounds
| Date | Stage | Investors | Raised | Deal Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2023 | Undisclosed stage | International Finance Corporation (lead); Rand Merchant Bank (lead) | $49M | Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a pan-African technology solutions group, a business of Cassava Technologies, providing network, cloud (C2), voice, and dataport services across more than 20 countries, with strong performances in South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Q3 FY24 ended 30 November 2023, the company announced financing from the International Finance Corporation and Rand Merchant Bank of approximately USD 50 million, aligning with the queried debt round around mid-November 2023. Total revenue for the nine months year-to-date was USD 494.2 million, up 11.4% year-on-year from USD 443.8 million, driven by growth in Network and C2 segments, with Q3 revenue at USD 167.3 million, a 7.0% increase from USD 156.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the period rose 13.2% to USD 177.0 million from USD 156.4 million, reflecting broad-based growth including contributions from Liquid South Africa and a one-off USD 7.1 million infrastructure sale benefit. Financial performance has been sustained with revenue growth excluding FX impacts reaching 13.7% YTD in Q3 FY24, and cash generation supporting operations. The company focuses on strategic execution in digital solutions, networks, and cloud services amid pan-African expansion. The group applies hyperinflation accounting in certain operations since October 2018. Recent fundraisings include equity tranches totaling USD 225 million (first USD 90 million closed, second USD 135 million in progress) and later debt rounds like USD 220 million in December 2024 with IFC, Nedbank, RMB, and SBN Holdings. |
| Nov 2021 | Undisclosed stage | IFC Venture Capital Group (lead) | $250M | Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a pan-African technology group and leading independent fiber and digital services provider, partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand digital infrastructure across Africa. IFC's equity and debt investments in the company totaled approximately $250 million to date around 2021, supporting growth in hyperscale data center capacity through subsidiary Africa Data Centres in countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, as well as the rollout of its fiber broadband network exceeding 100,000 kilometers in sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative aimed to enhance internet connectivity for businesses and individuals, positioning Liquid at the forefront of Africa's digital transformation with services like cloud and cybersecurity. The specific funding referenced around August 2021 aligns with IFC's ongoing support, following a February 2021 bond placement of $620 million on Euronext Dublin. Statements from Liquid's Executive Chairman Strive Masiyiwa highlighted how these investments would drive adoption of digital services critical for sustainable development. IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop emphasized expanding access to infrastructure powering Africa's digital economy, job creation, and economic transformation. Cumulative funding across multiple rounds reached over $2 billion by later years, with recent debt facilities like $220 million in December 2024 from IFC and others. Liquid operates under Cassava Technologies, providing customized digital solutions across more than 25 countries via units like Liquid Networks, Liquid Cloud, and Africa Data Centres. Additional investments, such as R900 million (from IFC and RMB) for South Africa's Eastern Cape Fibre Project, underscore commitments to broadband expansion, job creation, and digital inclusion in underserved areas. |
| Oct 2020 | Undisclosed stage | British International Investment (lead) | $307M | Liquid Intelligent Technologies, operating as Liquid Telecommunications Holdings Limited, is a pan-African technology group and the largest independent fibre and cloud provider in Africa, with operations in over 20 countries mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It provides diversified telecommunication services, including broadband fibre expansion along the Cape-to-Cairo route, data centres, and digital solutions to improve affordable connectivity. In December 2018, British International Investment (then CDC Group) invested $180 million in equity to accelerate fibre expansion into Central and Western Africa, followed by a $40 million follow-on equity investment in 2020 to support data centre growth, with the investment period ending July 2020. For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020, Liquid reported post-IFRS 16 revenue of $247.3 million, up from $234.9 million the prior year, driven by long-term contracts with a global technology company, new network operator customers, and services on NLD 5 & 6 routes. Pre-IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA was $210.0 million, a 15.7% increase from $181.5 million, with Q4 pre-IFRS 16 adjusted EBITDA at $64.6 million, up 42.4%. The group achieved an operating profit of $97.5 million and net cash inflow from operating activities of $136.5 million, maintaining an unrestricted cash position of $83.5 million. The investments supported Liquid's strategic expansion, including data centre development and East-West network groundwork, alongside securing roaming agreements and awards. BII has since exited the initial investment. The company continues operations across more than 25 countries as a technology and digital solutions provider. |
| Dec 2018 | Undisclosed stage | British International Investment (lead) | $180M | Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a pan-African technology group and the largest independent fibre and cloud services provider in Africa, operating in 20 countries mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on expanding backbone fibre infrastructure, including along the Cape-Cairo route and into Central and Western Africa, to improve access to affordable connectivity. In 2018, British International Investment (BII, formerly CDC) made a US$180 million equity investment to accelerate this fibre expansion, with BII as the lead investor. A follow-on US$40 million equity investment occurred in 2020 to enhance the data centre business. Financial results for the half-year ended August 31, 2018 (H1 FY2019, covering Q1 and Q2 post-March 1, 2018) showed revenue of USD 348.8 million, up 10.7% from USD 315.1 million prior year, driven by strong data segments in wholesale and retail despite currency headwinds like Rand weakening. Adjusted EBITDA grew 19.5% to USD 96.9 million, achieving a 27.8% margin, with Q2 EBITDA at USD 49.0 million (up 15.2%). Cash generated from operations rose significantly to USD 78.8 million. The company had undergone debt restructuring prior, issuing USD 730 million senior secured notes in 2017 to repay existing loans, including a ZAR 2.95 billion (USD 228 million) facility for acquiring Liquid Telecommunications South Africa. In December 2017, it acquired full economic interest (100%) in its South African holdings via a share exchange. Operations emphasized higher-margin data services, with restructuring in South Africa to reduce staff and expand product portfolio. The BII investment supported fibre deployment in key markets like the Democratic Republic of Congo, contributing to broader infrastructure goals for economic and digital transformation in Africa. |
Who has invested in Liquid Intelligent Technologies?
4 investors have backed Liquid Intelligent Technologies across its funding rounds, including British International Investment, International Finance Corporation, IFC Venture Capital Group and Rand Merchant Bank.
Lead investors include International Finance Corporation, Rand Merchant Bank, IFC Venture Capital Group and British International Investment.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies Investors
| Investor | HQ | Rounds | Role | First check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lead | Dec 2018 | ||
| 1 | Lead | Nov 2023 | ||
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Benchmark 350K+ Funding Rounds and Disclosed VC Valuation Multiples
Sign up to see data on 350K+ funding rounds and disclosed revenue and EBITDA valuation multiples, from seed, through growth stage, to pre-IPO.
Start Free TrialAcquisitions by Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Liquid Intelligent Technologies has acquired 4 companies to date.
Last acquisition by Liquid Intelligent Technologies was on March 21st 2023. Liquid Intelligent Technologies acquired Liquid C2 for undisclosed valuation.
Latest Acquisitions by Liquid Intelligent Technologies
| Description | Liquid C2 is a Johannesburg-headquartered cloud services provider for African enterprises. The platform offers VMware-based private clouds with data sovereignty in South Africa and Kenya data centers. Solutions include disaster recovery for banks like Standard Bank and VDI for mining firms. Liquid C2 connects to 250+ ISPs across 35 countries. | Telrad Networks is a Petah Tikva-headquartered provider of fixed wireless access solutions utilizing 4G LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi technologies in the sub-6 GHz spectrum. Established in 1951, the company delivers purpose-built products such as the Magnum 5G radio platform and EtherHaul microwave backhaul systems to customers across more than 100 countries. Telrad supports private LTE networks, hybrid deployments, and CBRS for sectors including utilities, public safety, healthcare, education, smart agriculture, and video surveillance. Deployments span last-mile broadband, critical infrastructure backhaul, and industrial IoT applications worldwide. | RAHA is Dar es Salaam-headquartered internet service provider recognized as Tanzania's leader in connectivity. Founded in 1996 as Heartbeat Online with dial-up access, it has evolved to deliver fiber optic broadband, VSAT satellite links, wireless networks, and dedicated leased lines to residential, commercial, and institutional customers nationwide. RAHA operates an extensive backbone infrastructure covering major cities like Arusha, Mwanza, and Zanzibar, emphasizing redundancy for uptime in remote areas. The provider supports enterprise solutions for ISPs, NGOs, and government entities through customized bandwidth packages. | Neotel is a Johannesburg-headquartered telecommunications operator in South Africa that provides fixed-line voice, broadband internet, mobile services, and wholesale connectivity. Launched in 2006 as the country's first independent facilities-based provider, it built a nationwide Next Generation Network supporting data rates up to 1 Gbps. Neotel serves business clients with MPLS VPNs, cloud hosting, and SIP trunking, while residential users access ADSL, fiber-to-the-home, and LTE options following its acquisition by Vodacom in 2016. |
| HQ Country | ||||
| HQ City | Cairo | Lod | Dar es Salaam | Johannesburg |
| Deal Date | 21 Mar 2023 | 10 May 2022 | 14 Dec 2016 | 28 Jun 2016 |
| Valuation | undisclosed | $56M | undisclosed | $360M |
| EV/Revenue | ||||
| EV/EBITDA | ||||
This data is available for Pro users. Sign up to see all Liquid Intelligent Technologies acquisitions and their M&A valuation multiples. Start Free Trial | ||||
Liquid Intelligent Technologies Competitors
Liquid Intelligent Technologies competitors include listed companies like SpaceX, SoftBank Group, China Mobile and Verizon, and private ones like Reliance Jio and VodafoneThree.
| Company | HQ | Status | Revenue | EBITDA | Valuation | Revenue Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publicly listed | $19B | $3.9B | $2.0T | - | ||
| Publicly listed | $50B | $6.7B | $229B | 7.0x | ||
| Publicly listed | $157B | $54B | $223B | 1.2x | ||
| Publicly listed | $138B | $47B | $201B | 2.8x | ||
| Private | $4.7B | $2.1B | $58B | 12.5x | ||
| Private | - | $2.5B | $12B | - |
Liquid Intelligent Technologies Public Comps
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is still privately-owned, but its public comps include SpaceX, SoftBank Group, China Mobile, Verizon, T-Mobile US, AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Bharti Airtel, NTT Group and Comcast.
| Last FY | EV/Revenue | EV/EBITDA | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | EBITDA | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | Last FY | LTM | 2027E | |
| $19B | $3.9B | 106.0x | - | 503.3x | - | |||
| $50B | $6.7B | 7.3x | 7.0x | 54.7x | 9.2x | |||
| $157B | $54B | 1.2x | 1.2x | 3.5x | 3.8x | |||
| $138B | $47B | 2.8x | 2.8x | 8.2x | 7.4x | |||
| $88B | $32B | 3.3x | 3.2x | 9.3x | 8.1x | |||
| $126B | $55B | 2.7x | 2.6x | 6.2x | 7.1x | |||
| $136B | $56B | 2.5x | 2.5x | 6.2x | 6.2x | |||
| $22B | $12B | 6.2x | 5.7x | 11.3x | 10.1x | |||
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Common questions about Liquid Intelligent Technologies
| When was Liquid Intelligent Technologies founded? | Liquid Intelligent Technologies was founded in 2004. |
| Where is Liquid Intelligent Technologies headquartered? | Liquid Intelligent Technologies is headquartered in Ebène, Mauritius. |
| Is Liquid Intelligent Technologies publicly listed? | No, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a private, VC-backed company. |
| How much funding has Liquid Intelligent Technologies raised? | Liquid Intelligent Technologies has raised $786M across 4 funding rounds. |
| What was Liquid Intelligent Technologies' last funding round? | Liquid Intelligent Technologies' last funding round was a $49M undisclosed-stage round in November 2023, led by International Finance Corporation and Rand Merchant Bank. |
| Who are Liquid Intelligent Technologies' investors? | Liquid Intelligent Technologies' investors include British International Investment, Rand Merchant Bank, International Finance Corporation and IFC Venture Capital Group. |
| Which companies are comparable to Liquid Intelligent Technologies? | Companies comparable to Liquid Intelligent Technologies include SpaceX, SoftBank Group, China Mobile, Verizon, Reliance Jio and VodafoneThree. |
| How many companies has Liquid Intelligent Technologies acquired? | Liquid Intelligent Technologies has acquired 4 companies, including Liquid C2, Telrad, RAHA Tanzania and Neotel. |
| What was the largest acquisition by Liquid Intelligent Technologies? | The $360M acquisition of Neotel in June 2016 is the largest acquisition Liquid Intelligent Technologies has made to date. |
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