Saad Sheikh joins Enko Capital from TLG

Enko Capital has hired Saad Sheikh to its London office as Partner, Head of Private Credit. Sheikh joins the investment team led by Enko’s founder and CIO, Alain Nkontchou, from TLG where he was a partner and investment director on the firm’s African private credit strategy. Sheikh brings eight years of African private credit investment experience with a strong track record. Prior to TLG, Sheikh held roles at Accenture and Nokia.

Alain Nkontchou, Enko’s founder and managing partner said, “Globally, the funding gap for SMEs is considered as high as $1.2 trillion, with half of formal SMEs having no access to credit. In an emerging markets context, 70% of all SMEs lack access to credit, while contributing to 60% of the total employment and 40% of gross domestic product. It is indisputable that the private credit space in Africa is sorely underserved and access to sustainable capital for SMEs is extremely difficult. Enko is embarking on a strategy to support SMEs with sustainable financing. Saad’s investment track record and expertise across a range of industries will enable Enko to deliver on this strategy.”

Enko’s private credit offering will have two primary areas of focus: SME growth financing and trade finance. Sheikh will oversee the growth financing solutions to small and mid-market companies operating in Africa, across sectors which offer a substantial positive impact with commercial returns.