An Australia-based giant investor’s newly named Africa head has started in his new role, with a mandate to lead fundraising and deal making efforts.
New Forests has named Yida Kemoli as managing director on its Africa platform. Based in Kenya, he will report to chief executive officer, Mark Rogers, and will also sit on New Forests’ executive committee.
As part of his role, Kemoli will be managing the African Forestry Investment Platform (ASIP), a Singapore-domiciled $75million fund that is backed by a number of development financiers.
New Forests is a global investment manager, specialised in real assets and natural capital strategies, with $7.7billion (A$11.7 billion) in assets under management. The firm set up its Africa platform in 2021.
Kemoli’s previous roles include spending more than six years at Phatisa, between 2015 and 2021. His last role was senior partner, with a focus on deal origination and portfolio management.
He joined Phatisa from Trans-Century, an East Africa-focused investor, where he was head of corporate finance and strategy. At Trans-Century he oversaw fundraising, acquisitions and exits, including the company’s $ 75 million convertible Eurobond raising.
Prior to Trans-Century he was at Actis, where he was investment principal for two years up to 2008. He started his investment career at JP Morgan, where he left as associate in the European Debt Capital Markets team in 2006. During his six-year tenure at the investment bank, he worked on over 20 transactions, including leveraged buyouts.
Kemoli has served on the board of Rift Valley Railway (RVR), the transportation company owned by Qalaa Capital. Trans-Century sold its entire 34% stake in RVR in 2014.
He has also previously been non-executive director at the Kenya Investment Authority, serving for three years up to 2013.
