How the private equity industry is navigating COVID-19 crisis

The private equity industry has remained resilient in the face of weak macro-economic circumstances during the 2019 calendar year, according to a recent survey. The survey revealed that a total of 184 billion was available for investment as of December 2019, with 32 billion earmarked specifically for investments in South Africa and the rest for the African continent. Tanya van Lill, CEO of the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, shed light on the industry's activity and strategies amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Van Lill highlighted the industry's focus on ensuring the liquidity of existing portfolios, helping distressed companies, and seeking new investment opportunities despite the challenging economic environment. She emphasized the importance of adhering to unique investment mandates that dictate investment decisions based on industry, geography, and company life stage. As the pandemic continues to impact the global economy, private equity players are adapting their investment strategies and portfolio management to navigate the uncertain market conditions. Van Lill also discussed the trend of longer investment periods and negotiated fund terms to optimize returns in a volatile market. The industry's response to the crisis reflects its ability to weather challenges and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing landscape.