22 Feb 2015

Ponelopele, IPRO’s flagship fund will invest 60 per cent of its assets in Botswana investment instruments and 40 per cent across the Sub Saharan, says the senior manager-Investments at IPRO Botswana.

Speaking at the launch of the company’s flagship fund, Ms Clair Mathe-Lisenda said the fund was inspired by the group’s strong conviction that the Sub-Saharan African region offered immense opportunities for astute investors with the skill and patience to understand the diverse dynamics of the different capital markets across Africa. 

“The fund will invest in a wide basket of assets ranging from equities, bonds, property, private equity and hedge funds,” she said.

Ms Mathe-Lisenda said this would allow retail investors access to some asset classes that they ordinarily would not have access to with relatively small investment amounts, whilst also providing institutional investors the benefit of a widely diversified investment product.

“It is also our intention to apply for a local asset status for Ponelopele and once in operation this will allow for ease of investment classification particularly for pension fund investors,” said Ms Mathe-Lisenda.

She further said the group was confident that the extensive experience garnered by IPRO Botswana in managing discretionary local portfolios since inception, coupled with advisory services offered by the business in managing two Africa focused funds, placed the group to manage a fund such as Ponelopele.

“We have come deeply to understand and appreciate the workings of the African investment markets,” she said.

Managing director of IPRO Botswana, Mr Amit Bakhitra said after seven great years in Botswana, He said just as democracy, savings and investments are Botswana’s future, and like a little plant, it neither grows nor flourishes on its own.

“Savings and investments must be believed in and practiced if they are to be appreciated and they must be fought for and defended for them to survive,” he said.

Mr Bakhitra said Ponelopele is the group’s contribution to the nation’s financial history. 

For his part, chief executive officer of CIEL Finance, Mr Marc-Emmanuel Vives, a company based in Mauritius and also a shareholder in IPRO Botswana, said even though the group’s investment in Botswana is today smaller, they were investing earnestly because there was a long term opportunity in Botswana. 

“We believe that Botswana can provide a good platform for us to grow regionally,” he said, adding that the group understands that they can only thrive by respecting and giving back to the society to which they operate within. 

Mr Vives said the group would give local talent a chance to grow within the team. 

“With Ponelopele, we want pioneers in generating new habits of saving amongst the population,” he said. ENDS