Africa’s telecom, media and technology sectors are expected to see more deals in coming years as an increasing number of private equity firms seek investment opportunities on the continent.

Ben Nice, Editor of TMT Finance News, says companies such as the Carlyle Group, KKR, Abraaj Group and Helios Investment Partners, have all setup up to $1 billion dedicated funds to invest in African companies, which is likely to help increase deal activity.

“The number of deals that we are reporting on in Africa goes from strength to strength. The towers sector has kept the industry buoyant over the past 12 months, and plenty of opportunities are still being discussed,” Nice said.

“Tower [companies] are now looking at the next phase of growth, including bond issues and IPOs, as well as further expanding their portfolios through more acquisitions, locking in cheaper levels of debt and raising significant amounts from international investors.”

Several African telecoms assets are currently on the investors radar and offers could be made in the next 12 month or so, according to TMT Finance News.

Among the deals that have taken place in recent months include a string of buyers  linked with Oger Telecom’s Cell C in South Africa; IHS Towers seeking a $200 million debt refinancing; VimpelCom working with Barclays to sell Telecel Zimbabwe; and Eaton Towers acquisition of Mobinil’s towers in Egypt.

Some of the deals that are in the works  include O3B’s new financing round; MTN’s multiple IPOs plan and several African media companies are tipped to be coming up for sale or IPO’s.

MTN and Telkom are both predicted to sell towers in South Africa this year.