Thames River Capital has launched its Africa Focus Fund, a multi-manager fund that aims to achieve a net return of 15+ per cent per annum through exposure to multiple investment strateg
Thames River Capital has launched its Africa Focus Fund, a multi-manager fund that aims to achieve a net return of 15+ per cent per annum through exposure to multiple investment strategies across all African and Middle Eastern markets and asset classes.
The approach will be two-pronged to exploit predominantly hedged opportunities in South Africa and directional opportunities in markets elsewhere in Africa and the Middle East.
Fund manager Ken Kinsey-Quick, supported by ten investment professionals, will interpret a macro view of African markets to allocate assets dynamically. Initial geographic weightings will be around 75 per cent South Africa and 25 per cent rest of Africa and the Middle East, although these are anticipated to move significantly over time as the African markets ex South Africa open up further.
The fund will employ tight risk management and volatility controls and offer full transparency with respect to its underlying managers. Leverage will be moderate both in absolute terms and at the level of underlying funds.
Kinsey-Quick says: ‘The continent of Africa offers a wealth of opportunities, with an unparalleled universe of 53 countries and 23 stock exchanges from which to choose. There is huge potential: Africa remains fundamentally unaffected by global credit concerns and its growth is largely a result of structural, political and economic reform rather than an export-led strategy.
‘The Thames River Africa Focus Fund will offer investors the opportunity to tap into this potential, aiming to participate in the upside of these maturing markets with the reassurance of focusing on downside protection. We have an experienced team of investment professionals which, coupled with a local African presence, gives us an edge in properly understanding the dynamics at work within the continent and good access to the diverse opportunity set. We have developed a robust investment process and enjoy the support and infrastructure offered by Thames River Capital.’
