By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The appointment of Rupali Gupta as Head of Investor Relations has been announced by Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investment platform capitalized by the African Development Bank, 23 African countries, and two African Central Banks.
A statement issued by the organisation explained that Rupali will lead fundraising and development of investor relations with public and private partners and shareholders worldwide.
The Indian citizen will bring substantial experience to this role, having used her in-depth understanding of investor preferences and institutional relationships to raise over $2 billion for four emerging market funds.
Commenting on the appointment, Africa50 CEO, Alain Ebobissé, stated that, “Rupali is an important addition to our multi-disciplinary team at Africa50.
“Her extensive fund raising and investor relations experience in an emerging market context will help us deepen our relationships with existing investors and shareholders, and allow us to build new partnerships and mobilize long-term savings from within and outside the continent to help close the infrastructure funding gap in Africa.”
In her remarks, Gupta said, “This is a great opportunity for me to deepen relations with investors seeking exposure to African infrastructure and raise funds for another important emerging market fund.
“Improving infrastructure is one of the key requirements for accelerating economic and social development in Africa, and I am excited about contributing to this.
“Africa50, with its African parentage and mix of public and private sector shareholders and partners, is ideally placed to achieve this in a sustainable manner.”
During her 19-year career, Gupta developed wide-ranging expertise in private banking, corporate treasury operations, investor relations, and fund raising.
Before joining Africa50, she served as Director of the Investor Management Group at IDFC Alternatives, one of the largest multi-asset class investors in India.
Prior to joining IDFC, she held positions with True North (formerly India Value Fund Advisors) and Morgan Stanley India.
She started her career at Kotak Securities in Mumbai. She holds a Masters in Management Studies from Mumbai University.