Taarifa Ltd, owned by Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz, agreed to buy the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development's controlling stake in Nation Media Group, NMG disclosed on 11 March after receiving a notice of intention dated 10 March.
Deal terms and financing
Taarifa is buying 100% of NPRT Holdings Africa, the Kenyan company through which AKFED holds 54.08% of NMG, rather than NMG shares directly. No price was disclosed. Taarifa said it did not intend to make an offer for minority shareholders and would apply to Kenya's Capital Markets Authority for an exemption.
Regulatory approvals and timing
The transaction required competition and media approvals across NMG's markets. Taarifa completed the purchase on 31 August 2026 after regulators in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda exempted it from mandatory takeover offers, and NMG's board was reshaped on 28 August (Serrari Group, 1 September 2026).
Market context
NMG traces its origins to 1959, when the Aga Khan acquired the Kiswahili weekly Taifa Leo. It operates more than 30 brands, employs more than 1,000 people across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and remains listed in Nairobi and other East African exchanges.
