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Imara
The Imara Group is an African specialist merchant bank engaged in asset management, investment banking and fiduciary and administration services.
Imara
The Imara Group is an African specialist merchant bank engaged in asset management, investment banking and fiduciary and administration services. Imara Asset Management are investment and advisory experts in fintech and payments across Africa and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). They invest in African public, private and venture opportunities, backing the transition from cash to cashless economies through digital payments and mobile money and delivering financial inclusion.
General information
Firm type
Generalist
Year founded
1954
Location
Region
Africa
Country
Botswana
City
Gaborone
Corporate office
Gaborone, Botswana
Additional offices
Harare, Zimbabwe · Nairobi, Kenya · Blantyre, Malawi · Maseru, Lesotho
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Which markets does Imara cover operationally?
Imara maintains a physical operational footprint in five countries: Botswana (headquarters in Gaborone), Zimbabwe (Harare), Kenya (Nairobi), Malawi (Blantyre), and Lesotho (Maseru). Rather than allocating to these markets remotely, the firm executes trades and sources deals through its own locally licensed brokerages and advisory teams in each jurisdiction.
How does Imara source investment opportunities across its footprint?
Deal flow originates primarily through the firm's own in-country brokerage and corporate finance operations. Because Imara advises on M&A and capital raises in markets like Zimbabwe and Kenya, the asset management team gains early visibility into transactions before they reach international bidders. This proprietary origination loop is a structural differentiator from global fund managers that allocate remotely.
What sets Imara's operating model apart from international emerging-market funds?
The key difference is execution architecture. Imara does not allocate to Southern Africa through global custodians or prime brokers; it executes through its own locally licensed subsidiaries. This provides a direct navigational capability around currency controls, settlement processes, and regulatory requirements in markets where foreign institutions often face operational friction. The model functions more like an embedded regional merchant bank than a traditional long-only fund manager.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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