DOB Equity, a family-supported impact investment firm with roots in Kenya and the Netherlands, is undergoing a strategic transformation with the induction of Karen Serem Waithaka as its new CEO. The redefined investment direction is a response to the urgent sustainability issues in East Africa and mirrors Waithaka’s intent to fortify the region’s resilience by channeling investments into impactful ventures.
The installment of Waithaka at the helm of DOB Equity signifies a pivotal shift as the firm moves away from its previous generalist investment model to a specialized focus on sectors such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and water sanitation. These areas are identified as critical for tackling the region’s most acute infrastructural and environmental challenges.
Waithaka steps into the CEO role equipped with over a decade and a half of financial expertise, including her latest tenure as the Chief Investment Officer at Catalyst Fund. Over the years, DOB Equity has curated a varied portfolio, investing in more than 30 companies across different industries, including logistics and eCommerce.
Under the stewardship of former Co-CEOs Saskia van der Mast and Hayo Afman, the firm encountered some investment hurdles, notably the shutdown of the logistics enterprise Sendy and the financial tribulations faced by Copia, an eCommerce entity. These instances underscored the unpredictable nature of burgeoning markets and underscored the necessity for an investment strategy that is both resilient and sustainable. Waithaka’s leadership is thus seen as a crucial turning point for DOB Equity.
Waithaka elucidates the new strategy;
We are channeling our efforts into supplying patient capital to enterprises that are innovating solutions for infrastructural deficiencies and climate change, thereby contributing to the sustainable progress of East Africa.
This strategy is designed to balance risk mitigation with the generation of enduring value for both investors and local communities.
East African businesses grapple with a complex array of challenges, including infrastructural shortfalls, financing voids, regulatory barriers, and limited cross-border cooperation. By honing its investment focus on entities that are poised to address these challenges, DOB Equity aspires to promote sustainable commercial growth and bolster community resilience.
Waithaka’s strategic vision is in harmony with DOB Equity’s enduring dedication to impact investing. She affirms, “Our commitment to impact remains the driving force behind our investment decisions. We target companies that deliver solutions fostering sustainability and resilience in communities, ensuring these businesses thrive over the long haul.”
The firm’s shift towards investing in sustainable food production, renewable energy, and water sanitation is anticipated to garner interest from various stakeholders. The success of this recalibrated strategy will be under scrutiny as Waithaka strives to rejuvenate investor trust and reassert DOB Equity’s pledge to investments with a meaningful impact.
