Ashraf Esmael 2021 Speaker

Chief Investment Officer

GroFin

Biography

Ashraf has over 20 years’ combined experience in corporate finance, banking, fund management and more recently, in development finance and impact investing. He has led pioneering financing institutions such as the Mauritius Leasing Company, Bramer Bank and National Commercial Bank with expertise in Corporate, SME, Retail Banking and Asset Financing. He studied Information Technology and Business Management from the MCCI Business School and holds a Master in Business Administration from the University of Surrey. He has been the Chairman of the Association of the Leasing Industry, Council member of the MCCI and Director on the Board of the Mauritius Banker’s Association. He is presently the Chief Development Officer of GroFin, a private development financial institution operating across 14 countries in Africa and the MENA region, targeting Small and Growing Businesses to achieve financial and developmental impact. Ashraf has been instrumental in developing the Gender Lens Investing programme, working in close collaboration with the Board and leadership of GroFin as well as other key stakeholders supporting this initiative including DGGF, Norfund and FMO.