About the Event

When global investors talk about the Middle East and Africa, the conversation tends to start and end with oil. That leaves out most of the story in a region that stretches from the Gulf states through North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa, the countries south of the Sahara Desert.

Other long-term forces are now shaping growth. Africa has the youngest population of any continent, and a new generation of founders is building startups in cities across the region. Gulf economies are putting large sums into diversifying away from oil and gas. At the same time, the region is dealing with conflict whose political and economic effects are still unfolding.

In this talk, Dr. ElKholy will draw on his experience leading private equity investment across the Middle East and Africa at Actis, a growth-markets investor that is now part of General Atlantic, and on his work advising Egypt's Prime Minister on economic policy. He will cover how the region compares with other emerging markets, whether the opportunity there really comes down to oil, and what investors and entrepreneurs should expect as the geopolitical picture shifts.

This event is part of the Nardone Family Seminar Series at the Center for Emerging Markets. Registration is required to receive the link to this online event.


About Sherif ElKholy

Dr. Sherif ElKholy is a Managing Director and Head of the Middle East and Africa at global private equity firm Actis (a part of General Atlantic). He is also an adjunct Professor of Finance at the American University in Cairo and a member of the Egyptian Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council.

Dr ElKholy sits on the board of directors of United Media Services, Edita Food Industries, the Egyptian Center for Economic Studies, Kuwait Finance House Egypt, and several leading companies and financial institutions in Egypt and the Middle East.

Dr. ElKholy graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the American University in Cairo in 2000. He then obtained a Master's degree, with distinction in Finance and Economic Development from the University of London in 2003, followed by a PhD in Economics from the University of London in 2009.

About the Nardone Family Seminar Series

Made possible by a gift from David R. Nardone, this seminar series brings scholars and practitioners to Northeastern University to share insights on emerging markets.   

Center for Emerging Markets events  

Keep exploring

View all events →