Cytonn CEO Edwin H. Dande was a speaker at The Kenya Alternative Investment Intensive (KeAll) forum themed “Catalysts for Impact and Financial Returns” which was organized by African Intensive, a multi-media platform that provides insights into investment themes in Africa on 3rd October 2018. The forum was held at the Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi. Edwin spoke on “A Structured Approach to The Hunt for High Yield”.
Edwin H. Dande speaking at the event
While issuing her opening remarks, Priscilla Boaa, Executive Director, African Alternative, welcomed the participants present, noting “This forum brings together policymakers, regulators & Kenyan asset owners in a formal discussion to stimulate a new thinking and innovation to address the key obstacles faced by institutions with a strong appetite to build alternative assets portfolio in Kenya.”
Edwin noted that the investors in the market today, have become sophisticated and are actively looking for higher yields than what traditional investments can offer, hence alternative investments offer an innovative investment strategy, a low-risk and high yielding solution for investors outside the regulatory framework.
“The demand for returns by investors is going to force investment managers to look at Alternative Investments. The preferred brands in investment management are going to be those that allocate to alternative investments because investors are going to demand it.” He said
Participants following the session
Edwin also noted the need for regulation in the Alternative Investments market and explained the role of The East African Forum for Alternative Investments (EAFAI), a body that has so far brought together over 4,000 individuals, in pursuit of a framework to help regulate the alternative investments activities in Kenya and East Africa.
The forum attracted a number of Fund Managers, Pension Trustees & Private/Financial Institutions. Other topics that were discussed include Asset Allocation & Investments, Importance of Regulations in Enhancing Social inclusivity & Growth, Kenya Green Bonds, Scaling up Renewables and Solar Power in Kenya, among others.
A participant engages Edwin during the Q&A session
The event organizers Africa Intensive are a group of industry practitioners who came together to provide unique insight into investment narratives and themes in Africa, while bringing institutional investors closer to the real investment strategies and executable themes across African markets.
