Kessner Capital Management Expands to Abu Dhabi, Closes First African Deal with Harlequin International Ghana

Abu Dhabi/London — Kessner Capital Management is making bold moves across two continents. The alternative investment firm focused on African markets has strengthened its regional presence in Abu Dhabi through a strategic partnership with a UAE-based family office, while simultaneously closing its inaugural African transaction with Ghana's Harlequin International Ghana (HIT).

This dual expansion represents a calculated strategy to position Kessner at the intersection of Gulf capital and African opportunity. The Abu Dhabi hub will serve as an operational and relationship center within the Gulf's institutional ecosystem, while maintaining core operations in London.

Abu Dhabi: The New Gateway for Africa-Focused Capital

Kessner's Abu Dhabi expansion taps into a broader transformation of the emirate as an international financial platform. The city has been aggressively building its infrastructure and attracting global asset managers, creating a natural bridge between Middle Eastern capital and African growth stories.

"Abu Dhabi has become essential for investors looking to engage with Africa," explains Bruno-Maurice Monny, co-founder and Managing Partner of Kessner Capital Management. This positioning reflects the emirate's growing role as a financial hub connecting East and West, North and South.

The numbers support this strategy. African markets continue to show resilience despite global headwinds, with infrastructure and industrial sectors presenting compelling opportunities for patient capital. Gulf sovereign wealth funds and family offices are increasingly looking beyond traditional markets, seeking diversification and higher returns.

First Deal Demonstrates Real Economy Focus

Kessner's credit facility to Harlequin International Ghana isn't just symbolic, it's strategic. HIT operates in engineering and technical services, serving critical sectors of Ghana's economy. This inaugural transaction showcases Kessner's commitment to backing companies with solid operational fundamentals rather than chasing speculative plays.

The deal structure reflects sophisticated understanding of African business realities. By providing procurement contract financing, Kessner addresses a genuine market need while maintaining disciplined risk management. This approach recognizes that many African companies have strong business models but face working capital constraints that limit growth.

Ghana represents an ideal testing ground for this strategy. The country's relatively stable political environment, educated workforce, and growing middle class create favorable conditions for private credit investments. Success here could provide a template for expansion across West Africa's dynamic economies.

Building Sustainable Value Creation

Kessner's philosophy goes beyond traditional lending. The firm emphasizes governance, transparency, and long-term partnership with portfolio companies. This approach addresses legitimate concerns about capital allocation in emerging markets while creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.

The company's ground-up approach, combining international partnerships with local expertise, positions it to navigate market complexities while mitigating risks. This model could prove particularly valuable as African economies continue modernizing and integrating with global value chains.

For diaspora investors and international partners, Kessner's dual-hub strategy offers compelling advantages. The Abu Dhabi presence provides access to Gulf capital and expertise, while the London base ensures regulatory sophistication and global connectivity.

As African economies mature and capital markets deepen, firms like Kessner Capital Management are positioning themselves at the forefront of a transformation that promises to reshape investment flows between emerging and established markets. The combination of patient capital, local knowledge, and international standards could unlock significant value across the continent.

About Kessner Capital Management
Kessner Capital Management is an alternative investment management firm focused on African markets. The company leverages ground-level insights and international partnerships to navigate market complexities, mitigate risks, and pursue risk-adjusted returns.

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