[Geneva, Switzerland]
Solevo Group, a leading pan-African distributor of specialty chemicals, is proud to announce the acquisition of 100% of Rolfes Group, a South African-based food ingredients and diversified chemicals distributor. Backed by a consortium led by Development Partners International (DPI), this acquisition marks a key milestone in Solevo’s growth strategy, adding Rolfes’ significant presence in food ingredients, industrial and leather specialty chemicals, water treatment solutions and agricultural crop inputs.
Solevo remains committed to growth and providing value-added services to high-GDP-contributing sectors across Africa. Through this acquisition, Solevo will leverage Rolfes’ established customer base and product portfolio, enabling both companies to offer an even broader range of high-quality specialty chemicals and solutions to customers across Africa. To further promote sustainable economic growth, Solevo has partnered with Afropulse Group, a long-term capital investor wholly owned by black women, which will acquire a 12.5% stake in Rolfes, supporting a shared vision of empowerment and impact.
Strategic Significance for Solevo
With over 100 years of expertise in chemical distribution, Solevo continues to enhance its presence in Africa through acquisitions and partnerships that expand its product offerings and geographical reach. Rolfes’ expertise in agricultural inputs, food ingredients, and industrial chemicals complements Solevo’s existing operations, enabling the combined entity to better serve its diverse customer base with an extensive portfolio of solutions.
Solevo CEO Joris Coppye commented:
“We are pleased to have acquired Rolfes Group, which marks an important milestone in Solevo’s evolution. Together, we can build a diversified business that better serves customers across Africa and cements our market share position in key geographies—including South Africa. As an established industry leader, we have the right blend of experience, ability, and vision to capitalize on this acquisitive growth by expanding reach and providing customers across the continent with the most extensive range of high-quality specialty chemicals and value-added solutions. We are poised for this exciting next stage of Solevo’s growth journey.”
Unlocking New Growth Opportunities
For Solevo, the acquisition provides an immediate entry into new sectors and enhances its customer reach across Africa. Rolfes’ leading positions in industries such as food ingredients and agricultural inputs will complement Solevo’s own strengths in providing tailored chemical solutions for life sciences and industrial sectors.
This acquisition represents the first step in Solevo’s long-term acquisitive growth strategy and will rapidly expand the Group’s international footprint. Looking ahead, Solevo will invest further in Rolfes’ operations by expanding distribution capabilities and boosting product development.
Babacar Ka, Partner at Development Partners International, said:
“The acquisition of Rolfes represents an important moment for Solevo as it reinforces its position as the leading pan-African specialty chemical distributor, championing companies and local industries across the continent. As a fast-growing business with an impressive track record and diverse product portfolio, Rolfes aligns perfectly with Solevo and the vision of its excellent management team.
“As trusted partners to Solevo, we will use our deep market expertise and careful stewardship to support the company to continue to build on its achievements to date by targeting continued organic and acquisitive growth”.
Rolfes’ Proven Success and Future Potential
Founded in 1938, Rolfes has evolved into a diversified chemical solutions provider, servicing over 3,400 active customers across Africa. With deep experience in managing its portfolio across five end markets—agriculture, food ingredients, industrial chemicals, leather tannery inputs, and water treatment—Rolfes has become a trusted partner in supporting the region’s critical industries.
Richard Buttle, CEO of Rolfes, shared:
“We are excited about the future as part of Solevo and look forward to the next chapter for Rolfes. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have achieved our goals of improving and growing our business, and we are confident that, under Solevo’s ownership, Rolfes will continue to thrive.”
A New Era of Collaboration
Together, Solevo and Rolfes will focus on creating synergies that maximize commercial opportunities and expand both companies’ offerings across sub-Saharan Africa. With a shared commitment to innovation and customer excellence, the future is bright for both entities as they embark on this new partnership.
The transaction has received all regulatory approvals.
Birkett Stewart McHendrie (Pty) Ltd served as financial adviser and Bowmans acted as the legal adviser to Solevo.
For additional information and media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
About Solevo Group:
The Solevo Group is a leading distribution platform for specialty chemicals and partner to farmers, businesses, industrial leaders and communities across Africa. Established in 1918, Solevo operates locally in eight countries, including the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Angola, Ghana, and Madagascar. Solevo serves a diverse spectrum of industries, from agriculture and food production to home and personal care, construction, and water treatment.
Driven by the belief that self-sufficiency and local industry growth are integral to Africa’s development, Solevo is dedicated to supporting the continent’s dynamic transformation. The company is committed to developing efficient, innovative, sustainable and high-quality products, services and solutions for African farmers, planters, entrepreneurs and industries. Solevo’s overarching mission is to contribute to a safer, healthier and more secure future for individuals and communities across Africa.
About Afropulse Group:
Afropulse Group is a permanent capital investment company that was established in 2006, by Ms Phumzile Langeni and Ms Bongi Masinga. Over the last 18 years Afropulse has through its own origination managed to build a portfolio of 13 assets across various industries, namely logistics, property, information and records management amongst a few.
