Africa poses remarkable opportunities for private equity investment, according to Thomas Barry, founder of the Zephyr Management investment firm. Pointing to the reliability of its renewable resources, its growing workforce, its expanding urbanization, and other strengths that are critical for business success, he reveals that, on this continent, reality is much better than the U.S. public perception. He also talks about his own firm’s investment strategy on the continent. Barry spoke at the 2011 Stanford Africa Forum on entrepreneurship and development.
Thomas Barry, founder of the Zephyr Management investment firm, has more than 30 years of experience in global fund management and has been investing in Africa since 1994. Prior to founding Zephyr, he was president and CEO of Rockefeller & Co., Inc. where he led the formation and management of private equity companies in 12 countries outside the US. Barry is a founder and director of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA). He has a BA in Latin American Studies from Yale University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is a chartered financial analyst.
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Photo: Stanford Africa Forum