Currently, MRI is owned by Botswana Medical Aid (Bomaid), the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, and individuals. Bomaid, through its investment arm, Southview, holds the majority stake of MRI at 94%, whilst MVA Fund owns four percent and the individual shareholders account for the balance. In a notice last week, the CCA said its assessment had not shown any competition issues in the transaction. “The implementation of the proposed merger is not likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition, nor endanger the continuity of service in the market under consideration. “Furthermore, the proposed merger will not have any negative effect on public interest matters in Botswana,” the competition watchdog said. MRI Botswana operates clinics, pharmacies, and emergency response services throughout the country, accessible to Bomaid members and other medical aid societies.
The company is a multi-faceted healthcare services provider with five core business units: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), general medical services, pharmacies, a training academy, and a contact centre. EMS focuses on pre-hospital emergency care and patient transportation, whilst the general medical services unit manages Prime Health clinics and occupational healthcare facilities. The pharmacies offer courier services and innovative Collect & Go technology lockers for medication distribution. The training academy caters to MRI’s internal medical training needs, and the contact centre provides outsourced services such as care lines and counselling. Furthermore, MRI has been providing services to three of the country’s top four medical aids.
The decision to sell a majority stake in MRI comes after years of deliberation for BOMAID, which had been planning to divest from the company. According to Bomaid, the process of divesting was initially delayed due to operational challenges within MRI. Officials previously explained that BOMAID was reluctant to sell while MRI’s operations were unstable, as the goal was to ensure a strong foundation before finding a suitable partner aligned with their vision. Bomaid previously indicated that the Abovax deal would enable MRI to thrive whilst allowing Bomaid to focus on its core business of medical aid provision.
