The Ethiopian private equity market is entering an exciting phase as investors flock in to seek investment opportunities in the booming economy. EP interventions focus on building the eco-system of private equity capital industry which will increase investments, improve the deal-facilitation function, and raise awareness and appetite for private equity. On January 30th, 2018, Enterprise Partners (EP) in partnership with Zemen Bank hosted the second of twelve equity capital awareness raising workshops at the Intercontinental Hotel. There were over 70 participants coming together from private equity firms, banks, government ministries, research institutes, investment advisors and local private companies.
Facilitated by Lucy Partners, the workshop highlighted the key processes of raising funds from private equity firms. The purpose of the event was to allow attendees to engage, interact and learn more, in order to utilise the professional services available. This in turn is expected to create an efficient investment advisory service within the private equity market that will support private companies to operate at greater capacities. The workshop was followed with a 15 minute greet-and-meet session called the “Investors Speed Dating (ISD)”.
Subsequently, on Thursday February 15th, EP hosted a follow up session of the Investor Speed Dating event in coordination with Lucy Partners. This meet-and-greet session hosted eight out of the ten investment firms currently operating in Ethiopia and matched 20 companies with investments firms; giving participants a unique opportunity to tell their story, pitch their idea and create a connection.
A local business owner who participated in the event commented:
“Even if nothing comes out of this, I am learning what I have to improve in my business. It was very productive.”