MEDIA RELEASE
AVCA Convenes PE Players Representing Over
US$15bn in Africa Funds Under Management in Abidjan
Tuesday, 4th April 2017, Abidjan,: High profile keynote speakers, such as H.E. Daniel Kablan
Duncan, Dr. Frannie Léautier, and Michel Abrogoua, opened the African Private Equity and Venture
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Capital Association’s (AVCA) 14 Annual Conference in Côte d’Ivoire. The conference is hosting the
top 600 private equity leaders as they discuss the key trends shaping the investment landscape in
2017.
Following Monday’s successful GP-LP Summit, during which the key topics of co-investments and
valuation were discussed, the Conference proceedings were initiated by Hurley Doddy, Managing
Director at Emerging Capital Partners. Doddy highlighted that “the conference has grown in
attendance and scale,” and over the week will bring about billions of dollars of investment through
meetings and discussions.
Francophone Africa is a powerful region coming into its own and presenting numerous opportunities
for investment. His Excellency Daniel Kablan Duncan, Vice-President of Côte d’Ivoire, in his opening
keynote speech, heralded the economic progress of the country, underling that Africa “continues
growing due to the structural and fiscal reforms taking place across the continent”. He stressed that
Côte d’Ivoire is set to be in the top ten global growth countries.
Tomorrow, Budget Minister, Abdourahmane Cissé, will discuss the tremendous growth that has taken
place over the past few years with Abidjan becoming a key hub for foreign investment.
Dr. Frannie Léautier, Senior Vice-President at the African Development Bank (AfDB), in a keynote
interview with Runa Alam, CEO at Development Partners International, stressed that ”integration in
Africa is being driven by people, finance, and infrastructure.” She added that even with the
geopolitical shocks, “if you are well structured, investors can make a good return.”
As innovative GP strategies become increasingly important, Akintoye Akindele, Co-Founder and
Partner at Synergy Capital Managers will join a panel with other influential GPs to discuss the need to
adapt and be resilient. From an LP point of view, Richard Rincon, from the University of Texas
Investment Management Company (UTIMCO), will join other local LPs, including Simon Nyakundi,
Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Railway Staff Retirement Scheme, to discuss investment strategies
for all seasons. Meanwhile, Jerry Parkes, Chief Executive Officer at Injaro Investments, will provide
insight into ESG practices in African private equity, and how Africa leads the way in sustainable
investing.
Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer at AFIG Funds, and Vice
Chair of the AVCA Board, noted: “It is extremely exciting to look around the room and see so many
of the critical players in the African private equity and investment landscape gathered under the same
roof. We have already heard from several key GPs and LPs, as well as our Ivorian hosts. AVCA is
immensely proud to facilitate these important discussions and play a key role in championing private
investment in Africa.”
Michelle Kathryn Essomé, Chief Executive Officer at AVCA, added: “The conference marks
another important milestone as Africa’s PE potential comes to fruition. AVCA continues to succeed in
connecting the most important stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.”
The conference is organised as part of AVCA’s mission to showcase investment opportunities across
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Africa. The 14 Annual AVCA Conference is taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday 4 and
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Wednesday 5 April 2017. For more information, please click here.
ENDS
37 North Row, Third Floor, London W1K 6DH
T: +44 20 3874 7008
w: www.avca-africa.org
c: www.avcaconference.com
e: [email protected]
Notes to editors:
AVCA: Enabling private investment in Africa
The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association is the pan-African industry body which
promotes and enables private investment in Africa.
AVCA plays an important role as a champion and effective change agent for the industry, educating,
equipping and connecting members and stakeholders with independent industry research, best
practice training programmes and exceptional networking opportunities.
With a global and growing member base, AVCA members span private equity and venture capital
firms, institutional investors, foundations and endowments, pension funds, international development
finance institutions, professional service firms, academia, and other associations.
This diverse membership is united by a common purpose: to be part of the Africa growth story.
www.avca-africa.org | www.avcaconference.com
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For further information, please visit the AVCA website or contact AVCA at: [email protected] or
+44 (0)20 3874 7008
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