About Abraaj
Our Markets
Abraaj Capital is a leading alternative asset manager in the rapidly growing economies of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. Abraaj’s target region consists of three distinct sub-regions including MENASA, South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa with the primary target countries covering a population of 2.4 billion and GDP of US$ 6.3 trillion. All sub-regions have been experiencing high growth rates on the back of favorable demographics and a strong domestic demand theme. Furthermore, many countries within the target region benefit from a distinct and unique natural resource advantage. These factors are expected to continue to drive growth with our target region covering 14 of the 25 fastest growing economies in the world.
MENASA (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia)
The MENASA region has experienced historic underinvestment which has resulted in severe pent-up demand leading to opportunities across several sectors ranging from consumer goods to infrastructure, energy and agriculture, thus making it a compelling investment destination.
The MENASA region is driven by a confluence of complementary factors ranging from strong private sector led domestic consumption in North Africa and South Asia to a deep capital base in the hydrocarbon rich Middle East region. The region’s growth is supported by favorable demographics; a population of approximately 1.7 billion people growing at 2% per year as well as increasing labor mobility and urbanization. These factors have led to a 6% growth over the last decade and will continue to drive growth at the same level over the next 5 years. The growth story is further supported by an abundance of natural resources in select countries in the region including the GCC. With over 40% of global crude oil and over 27% of natural gas reserves, the region holds the highest hydrocarbon reserves in the world. High hydrocarbon reserves coupled with some of the lowest extraction costs in the world are expected to be a continued source of income for the region with US$ 8.8 trillion in cumulative oil revenue expected in the GCC alone by 2020 at an average oil price of US$ 100 / barrel.
South East Asia
A target sub-region whose economies over the past decade (post the Asian Financial Crisis) have undergone structural changes to address previous pitfalls in an effort to achieve long-term sustainable levels of growth – where governments have proactively looked to integrate with the global economy while addressing domestic inefficiencies through active private participation. The relative resilience and early rebound of this sub-region in response to the global economic crisis is a testament to fundamental drivers including sustained-growing domestic demand, rich-key natural andagriculture resources, and cost efficiencies on a global scale.
Sub-Saharan Africa
With average GDP growth rate of 5%+, Sub-Saharan Africa represents a compelling investment region. Strong macroeconomic fundamentals underpinned by favorable demographic trends continue to drive private consumption. While Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth story is strengthened by robust consumer led domestic demand, resources (oil and gas as well as mining) further complement its development. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 15% of global gold reserves and 12% of global gold production as well as 38% of Africa’s oil reserves and 42% of its Africa’s oil production.
The Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) initiative of the Abraaj Group. An independent platform dedicated exclusively to the SME segment.
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