Product details

By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.
You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them.

Abstract

This case analyses The Abraaj Group, a private equity firm founded by Arif Naqvi. With headquarters in Dubai, the firm famously grew to become the largest emerging market private equity firm. Its focus was on small and medium enterprise investment and positive social impact in emerging markets. In 2018 however, the firm was discovered to be insolvent, with its executive team conspiring to misappropriate capital from its various funds into company and personal bank accounts. The collapse of the firm was the largest private equity collapse in history. It is experienced from the perspective of an Abraaj investor, Impact Invest, at the point in time when these allegations and rumours began to surface. Most impact investment globally is funded through private equity mechanisms. The case also focusses on corporate governance and decoupling. The complex nature of corporate governance in a private equity firm is illustrated with the additional governance policies, structures and procedures required for impact investing. Both means-ends and policy-practice decoupling are illustrated in the case and can be explored more deeply in class discussion.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for postgraduate and executive education courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in Mar-18.

Geographical setting

Region:
World/global
Countries:
United Kingdom; United Arab Emirates
Locations:
London;Dubai

Featured companies

Abraaj Group
Employees:
201-500
Turnover:
USD 1 billion
Type:
Privately held
Industry:
Impact investment; Social finance; Private equity
Other keywords:
Corporate governance; Decoupling; Emerging markets
Impact Invest
Employees:
11-50
Turnover:
GBP 5 million
Industry:
Impact investment; Social finance; Private equity

Featured protagonists

  • Aneesa Adams (female), Investment Director: Impact Invest
  • Arif Naqvi (male), CEO and Founder: Abraaj Group
  • Oscar Wright (male), Analyst
  • Karima Zawadi (female), Analyst

About

Abstract

This case analyses The Abraaj Group, a private equity firm founded by Arif Naqvi. With headquarters in Dubai, the firm famously grew to become the largest emerging market private equity firm. Its focus was on small and medium enterprise investment and positive social impact in emerging markets. In 2018 however, the firm was discovered to be insolvent, with its executive team conspiring to misappropriate capital from its various funds into company and personal bank accounts. The collapse of the firm was the largest private equity collapse in history. It is experienced from the perspective of an Abraaj investor, Impact Invest, at the point in time when these allegations and rumours began to surface. Most impact investment globally is funded through private equity mechanisms. The case also focusses on corporate governance and decoupling. The complex nature of corporate governance in a private equity firm is illustrated with the additional governance policies, structures and procedures required for impact investing. Both means-ends and policy-practice decoupling are illustrated in the case and can be explored more deeply in class discussion.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for postgraduate and executive education courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in Mar-18.

Geographical setting

Region:
World/global
Countries:
United Kingdom; United Arab Emirates
Locations:
London;Dubai

Featured companies

Abraaj Group
Employees:
201-500
Turnover:
USD 1 billion
Type:
Privately held
Industry:
Impact investment; Social finance; Private equity
Other keywords:
Corporate governance; Decoupling; Emerging markets
Impact Invest
Employees:
11-50
Turnover:
GBP 5 million
Industry:
Impact investment; Social finance; Private equity

Featured protagonists

  • Aneesa Adams (female), Investment Director: Impact Invest
  • Arif Naqvi (male), CEO and Founder: Abraaj Group
  • Oscar Wright (male), Analyst
  • Karima Zawadi (female), Analyst

Related