Although marked by the escalation of a global financial crisis, the close of 2008 is also showing the results of a healthy fund-raising season for a third generation of venture and private equity funds in the core Maghreb countries, with Morocco leading in domestic funds raised, followed by Tunisia. Interest in Maghreb markets has followed a boom in global emerging markets’ private equity that began in 2005. As the model has proven itself, venture capital and private equity industry investment in the region have grown. Local Moroccan fund managers raised at least $1 billion in the 2006-2008 fund-raising season, an unprecedented sum that more than doubled funds under management, with a third generation of local fund managers gaining the confidence of core local and foreign fund investors for second or third funds. In Tunisia, the Maghreb and Africa regional manager Tuninvest stood out, raising $161 million for its second Maghreb
As Managing Director at Lixia Capsia Gestionis, William leads investment advisory services for emerging markets, specializing in venture financing and entrepreneurship within the agribusiness and cold chain sectors. He is also a co-founder and executive director of Ifria Cold Chain Development Company and Lix Capital Management, driving impactful economic development and social initiatives. With over 15 years of experience in MENA and Africa, he leverages his expertise in international economics and fluency in Arabic, French, and English to navigate and capitalize on dynamic market opportunities.
