According to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and UNCTAD, Africa offers the highest return of foreign direct investment in the world. African economies are diversifying beyond traditional commodities and rising in greater depth with new skills, talent and innovations within reach of the country’s sustainable development goals.

Enterprise Partners (EP) participated in the 2018 East African Investment Forum to create awareness toward the private equity market. The African Investments initiative hosted the forum between September 13 – 21, 2018. Investors had a unique opportunity to travel across various African countries including, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco and Ethiopia to promote international trade links between companies to further their understanding of the wide range of investment opportunities in the continent. Enterprise Partners was a proud sponsor of a meet-and-greet session, called the Entrepreneurs Showcase at the Radisson Blue hotel on 21st of September. Companies seeking equity capital were given the opportunity to pitch a 5-minute presentation to investors, making a long-standing impression and creating in-country contact networks within the Africa-focused Investment group.

Invited participants in attendance represented investor groups including private equity investors, infrastructure investors, sovereign investors, wealth investors and local asset managers. There was as estimate of 50 participants, including those from financial institutions, government agencies and research associations, such as Asoko Insights.

Those in attendance participated in brainstorming discussions on current challenges and ideas to improve the network channels of private equity funding in Ethiopia. The forum was successful in aiding investors to realize the significant potential of high quality investment opportunities in Ethiopia.