South African financial services group MMI Holdings said on Monday it will buy a majority stake in Kenyan insurer Cannon Assurance for $27 million, to increase its presence in east Africa’s top economy.

The 300 million rand ($27.4 million) deal gives South Africa’s third-largest life insurer access to Cannon’s short-term insurance and asset management products.

MMI Holdings operates in 12 countries outside of South Africa including Botswana, Ghana and Nigeria. It already has a presence in Kenya through its Metropolitan Kenya unit.

South African companies are increasingly looking to buy up firms on the fast-growing continent to offset slower expansion at home.

Shares of MMI fell 0.6 percent to 22.56 rand at 1255GMT. ($1 = 10.9455 South African rand)