U.A.E, Dubai, Mar 5 – Equity Bank, KenGen, National Bank of Kenya and Safaricom are among Kenya’s listed firms present at the EFG Hermes, a financial services conference for Frontier Emerging Markets.
The annual One on One Conference kicked off on Monday under the theme “Navigating the Path to Opportunities.”
This year’s event will see executives from 21 African companies – from a total of 186 companies representing 26 countries – meet directly with more than 520 investors representing 260 institutions and family offices, managing an aggregate $11 trillion in assets under management.
“Year on year, we are witnessing an increased participation of African companies in our flagship conferences. Nigeria in particular saw increased participation at a time when the market is experiencing important changes that will generate new opportunities,” said Ali Khalpey, Chief Executive Officer of EFG Hermes Frontier.
“Investors are seeking opportunities that are expected to arise in key African markets, Nigeria is facing several key changes in terms of macro and equity performance, but visibility remains strong on 2019 earnings growth and yields continue to be attractive. At the same time, opportunities are arising in countries such as Ethiopia and Rwanda, which are expected to be among the top 10 markets for growth in 2019 thanks to innovative power generation and infrastructure projects. Kenya is making the reforms necessary to boost growth while Ethiopia has appointed a commission to explore opening up a stock exchange and all the needed regulatory frameworks and structures,” added Khalpey.
Kato Mukuru EFG Hermes’ Head of Frontier Research said the event provides direct access to global investors and companies representing some of the world’s most compelling markets.
“Even in the face of macroeconomic challenges such as significant capital outflows from emerging markets and rising US interest rates, frontier emerging markets represent the greatest potential for driving growth and generating accretive returns,” said Mukuru.
In one panel session, CEO of EFG Hermes’ Non-Banking Finance Institution Walid Hassouna, CEO of ASA International PLC Dirk Brouwer and Khalid El Gibali, Division President for Middle East and North Africa at MasterCard will discuss the ways that non-banking financial institutions are opening up markets and whether they pose a threat to traditional banking institutions.
Another session on the strategies companies are employing to attract and retain customers in an increasingly challenging macroeconomic environment will feature the following panelists.
Since inception, the One on One Conference has served as a crucial venue for connecting global investors with opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa.
On the first day of this year’s conference, attendees will also vote in the EFG Hermes Consensus, the largest (and only live) poll of FEM market investors and executives that provides key insights into trends and expectations for global markets in the near and medium term.
