Kenya: SME Private Equity Undeterred by Global Crisis

Friday, May 15, 2009

It is still difficult to assess the full impact of the global financial crisis on Kenya, but concerns that private equity investors would now pull back have not materialized, at least not in the SME sector where several new funds are entering the market. Rachel Keeler takes a look at the latest developments.

Kenya’s private equity market has been on a happy growth curve since 2002. New funds here inspired by the success of private equity abroad are now welcoming international money, supplemented by a domestic effort that has been inspired by investment groups like Trans-century. Kenyan fund managers have never sounded more optimistic. They say the industry is growing, local money mobilising, and diaspora experts coming home. In this article we examine new SME private equity market trends. A closer look at the large players will follow in a separate piece.

Source: Ratio Magazine (link opens in a new window)