Competition Authority Approves Abovax’s 60% Acquisition of MRI Botswana. The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA) has given the green light for Abovax (Pty) Ltd to acquire a 60% stake in MRI Botswana Limited, a major player in Botswana’s healthcare sector. The approval follows an extensive assessment of the deal, ensuring it does not harm competition or public interest.
With this acquisition, South African-based Abovax will gain control over MRI Botswana, integrating its healthcare services into the local market. MRI Botswana operates in several areas, including emergency medical services (EMS), general medical services (GMS), pharmacies, a training academy, and a contact center.
Abovax, through its parent company ABXI International, specializes in strategic healthcare advisory services, focusing on integrated healthcare solutions across multiple countries, including Botswana and South Africa. However, before this deal, Abovax had no active operations in Botswana.
The CCA’s review determined that the merger would not significantly impact market competition or disrupt healthcare services. While both companies are involved in medicine distribution, Abovax previously worked with Zoe Fountains Pharmacy through a partnership, which will end post-merger.
Furthermore, Abovax’s other ventures in Botswana—D-Med and ABX Ponea Health—never became operational, meaning the acquisition does not reduce competition in the sector.
The CCA has unconditionally approved the merger, allowing Abovax to proceed with its majority stake acquisition of MRI Botswana. However, the companies must still comply with any other legal and regulatory requirements in Botswana.
