Move reflects strong growth in impact investing sectorDubai, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, February 15th 2012 [ME NewsWire]
As part of its expansion plans, “Willow Impact Investors”, the pioneering social impact investment firm, has announced the opening of “Willow East Africa”, its new office in Nairobi, Kenya, which will represent the firm in all of its Eastern African activities and investments. This new development is in line with the firm’s growth strategy, and adds a new dimension to its presence in Dubai and New York.
The opening of Willow East Africa will facilitate the firm’s policy of investing for social and environmental impact in the emerging economies of Eastern Africa. Nairobi is increasingly recognized for its role as the Eastern African financial and operational hub for Small and Medium Size Enterprise development, social entrepreneurship and impact investing.
Headed by Regional Director Farid Mohamed, who is assisted by Investment Manager Seeta Shah, Willow East Africa is set to allow for proximity to one of the firm’s key target markets, support sourcing for investment opportunities, and enable carrying out swift due diligence and monitoring of portfolio companies. Willow East Africa will support the team with key regional expertise in SME investing and ensure the generation of positive social and environmental impact to benefit communities in East Africa.
Nadine Kettaneh, Managing Partner at Willow Impact Investors, shared: “We are delighted to welcome Farid and Seeta as new members of the team. Farid has successfully managed deals worth over $400mn in the high impact sectors of agriculture, nutrition, renewable energy, consumer finance, and essential infrastructure. Being from Kenya, he will offer a unique perspective on investing in the region.”
Farid Mohamed brings over 20 years of experience of investing in SMEs; Seeta Shah complements this with a 10 year track record in social investment funds and project finance in the high impact sectors of affordable housing and community and urban development.
About Willow Impact Investors
Willow Impact Investors was founded in 2010 as the first Social Impact Investing firm in the Middle East,. Its primary objective is to deliver strong and sustainable financial returns for investors while achieving maximum social and environmental impact. Willow Funds invest in for-profit companies that are committed to generating positive, sustainable and demonstrable social and environmental impact while complying with a commercial imperative.
The funds are structured as Luxembourg Specialized Investment Funds (SIF) – SICAVs.
With offices in Dubai, New York and Nairobi, and an office planned in Geneva, Willow Impact Investors is ideally positioned for proximity to investors and to the emerging economies that are home to many of the most exciting socially entrepreneurial investment opportunities.
For more information: www.willowimpact.com
Willow Impact Investors is a recognized trademark of WillowTree Management sarl.
Disclaimer:
"This news announcement is released for information purposes only, and should in no way be construed as either a solicitation or an encouragement to enter into any specific investment or fund, listed or mentioned herein. All information available in this news announcement is provided on an “as is” basis. Any investment in financial instruments that are mentioned on this news announcement may involve risks and may therefore be unsuitable for some investors. Before considering any investment, investors should consult competent investment advisors.”
Contacts
Nadine Kettaneh
Managing Partner
Willow Impact Investors
+971 4 358 7450
nadine@willowimpact.com
Tanya Kassab
Communication Manager
Euro RSCG Corporate Communications Middle East
+971 4 445 6151
Tanya.kassab@eurorscgme.com
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