Sameh Shenouda

Sameh Shenouda is the Executive Board Member and Chief Investment Officer. He leads origination, execution and portfolio management of transactions across a wide range of sectors and products. With over 27 years of experience in infrastructure investments, project development and fundraising in international capital markets, Mr. Shenouda has a deep knowledge of African markets, with specific experience in Power, Transport & Logistics, Industrial and Oil & Gas sectors. 

Since he joined the corporation in 2021, AFC has invested c.$8.5bn of investments in its key sectors: Power, Natural Resources, Heavy Industries and Technology, Transport & Logistics and Sovereign Lending. Examples of transformational projects include the investment into Infinity Capital followed by the acquisition of Lekela Power – making Infinity the largest renewable energy company in Africa; Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, Cap-des-Biches Independent Power Plant, Dangote Refinery, Cabinda Refinery, AFC’s first technology transaction (M-Kopa); and growing the sovereign lending book to USD 1bn; in addition to landmark exits from MainOne and Takoradi port.

Prior to joining the Africa Finance Corporation, Sameh was the Chief Executive Officer of Zarou, a US$1bn developer, owner, investor and operator of infrastructure projects in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Zarou was 100% owned by the Blackstone Group, one of the world’s leading private equity investors.

Sameh Shenouda previously served as Head of Infrastructure at CDC Group Plc now known as the British International Investment (BII), the UK government owned development finance institution. He built the institution’s direct infrastructure equity business, investing over US$2 billion in Africa and South Asia across manufacturing, infrastructure, financial institutions, power and other sectors. 

Sameh was the Natural Gas Industries Director at Orascom Construction Industries and Investment Principal at Actis, a leading US$15bn emerging markets private equity fund management business, with investments in 50+ countries.

Sameh holds an MBA in Financial Management from the University of Exeter, UK and degrees from the American University in Cairo, Egypt in Development Studies and Economics. He is a graduate of INSEAD’s International Executive Program and a member of the institute of Directors, United Kingdom.