DOB Equity celebrates the launch of new Nairobi office

Press release – March 1 2018

DOB Equity launches new Nairobi office

  • DOB Equity hosted a seminar at the occassion of its official Nairobi office opening, bringing together leading investors and business representatives

  • Business leaders discussing the environment for entrepreneurship, and the position of East Africa as a destiny for (foreign) capital

  • With offices in Kenya, Tanzania and Netherlands DOB is well suited to reach ambitious investment targets in the region

DOB Equity, a leading Dutch family-backed impact investor, celebrated the official opening of its office in Westlands, Nairobi, where leading investors and business representatives gathered to discuss entrepreneurship in East Africa.

DOB Equity, which has exclusively invested in East Africa since 2010 and has tripled its investment portfolio over the last 3 years, organized a seminar around the next generation of local and international entrepreneurs that are building new businesses in the East African region. In combination with the knowledge gained for scaling startups and small and medium sized enterprises in the region, DOB Equity sees the opportunity to further increase its growth targets and to build a successful investment portfolio that is well diversified across the region.

DOB Equity believes strongly in having a local footprint. With its strong market presence and expansion of the portfolio management team, DOB Equity has proven to be able to select and intensively support companies post-investment, providing truly hands on support and opportunities for companies to scale and build a solid and financially sustainable future.

Brigit van Dijk – van de Reijt, CEO of DOB Equity, says: “The entrepreneurial landscape in East Africa is rapidly changing, with entrepreneurs coming from different places around the world, leading to the acceleration of growth in sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, energy and services. DOB’s local presence and team of seasoned investment managers is of great value to the support of this new breed of entrepreneurship. It is essential to be close to the market and work actively with these entrepreneurs post investment.”

Saskia van der Mast, Investment Manager says: “DOB Equity provides patient capital, with long-term investment horizons, if need be. We are therefore well suited to support our partners as they navigate challenges to reach scale in each of their markets.”

Jean Pierre Sweerts, Chairman of DOB Equity says: “Financially sustainable companies are best placed to provide impact to the society to the largest extent possible. East Africa is a hub for innovative business concepts by both local and international entrepreneurs. Providing a platform for these initiatives will help strengthen the private sector and boost the regional economy.”

In 2017 alone, DOB added new and follow on investments in Africa Logistic Partners, a warehouse developer and manager, building its first international standard warehouses just North of Nairobi, and premium dairy company Tanga Fresh in Tanzania, tea processor Prothem in Burundi. DOB was the lead investor in the recently closed round for Sendy, an online market place for delivery services in Kenya aiming for rapid expansion in Kenya. DOB has successfully exited from various companies, including a leading maize trading company in Uganda, representing one of the few successful Management Buy Outs in the Ugandan capital market.

ENDS

 

About DOB Equity

DOB Equity is a leading Dutch family backed impact investment fund investing in impactful, innovative and scalable businesses in East Africa. DOB Equity has offices in Kenya, Tanzania and in The Netherlands.

 

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