The Finance World Magazine| Edition: May 2023

Special Report
ASSET MANAGEMENT
COMPANIES IN THE UAE
Fajr Capital
Iqbal Ahmad Khan,
CEO
Fajr Capital’s partnership-centric philosophy
has been a key driver of the firm’s success.
Exclusive to The Finance World Magazine
Fajr Capital is a Dubai-based
private equity firm that has
made a name for itself as a
leading investor in high-growth
companies. With $700M in assets under
management, the company has built a
reputation as a values-based and impactdriven
investor that seeks to create
enduring value for all stakeholders.
Its investment approach is rooted in
the principle of investing in what it
knows, where it knows, and with whom
it knows. This partnership-centric
philosophy has been a key driver of
the firm’s success.
Founded in 2009, Fajr Capital has
attracted some of the world’s leading
sovereign wealth funds as shareholders,
including the Abu Dhabi Investment
Council, the Brunei Investment Agency,
the Government of Brunei Darussalam,
and Khazanah Nasional, Malaysia’s
strategic investment arm. This has helped
the firm to build a solid foundation
of expertise and experience that it
leverages to create value for its clients.
Fajr Capital’s investment strategy
focuses on channeling strategic investment
into regional growth companies. These
are businesses that are led by highquality
management teams and operate
in dynamic and growing sectors and
markets. The firm’s approach is to
act as a strategic partner rather than
a passive investor, with a team of
seasoned investment professionals
that have a proven track record of
supporting growth businesses.
The firm has a successful track record
of investing in industry sectors that
exhibit tangible and sustainable growth
potential. It targets “defensive growth”
industries that have the fundamentals to
succeed in both good and bad economies
and have the long-term potential to
achieve high valuations and returns
at exit. These sectors include financial
services, education, food and beverage,
healthcare, transportation, logistics, oil
and gas services, industrial manufacturing,
and renewable energy, among others.
Post-investment, Fajr Capital aims
to strengthen corporate governance
and sustainability, enhance the capital
structure, boost operational performance,
increase product and technological
innovation, develop distinctive capabilities
and skills, access global management
and industry expertise, and expand
into new markets to become truly
global players. This approach has been
successful, with the company winning
the 2017 award for Best Private Equity
House in the Middle East at the EMEA
Finance Achievement Awards.
Fajr Capital’s focus on values-based
and impact-driven investment sets it
apart from many other private equity
firms. The company’s commitment
to creating enduring value for all
stakeholders – from shareholders and
employees to the communities served
– is a refreshing approach that is sorely
needed in today’s business landscape.
The firm’s success in attracting some
of the world’s leading sovereign wealth
funds as shareholders is a testament to
the strength of its investment approach
and the quality of its team.
Overall, Fajr Capital is well-positioned
to continue its success; with its focus
on high-growth companies, partnershipcentric
investment philosophy, and
commitment to values-based and impactdriven
investment, the firm is poised
to create enduring value for its clients
and all stakeholders.
May 2023 www.thefinanceworld.com 43