Delta Partners, the Dubai-based telecoms private equity fund that opened its first office in Johannesburg earlier this year, has announced that it would invest $80-million (about R831.7-million) in medium-sized companies in emerging markets in the next six months.

The group added that it would also make its first investment in South Africa during that period as well. Typical investments will be between $5-million and $15-million.

"The fund targets players in the telecoms and media space who are taking advantage of the opening up of the value chain," said Delta Partners managing partner Kristoff Puelinckx.

Delta added that it already has 12 firms in total under its radar: two in South Africa, five in the Middle East and north Africa, and the rest in other emerging markets such as Russia and eastern Europe.