Verdant IMAP has expanded its footprint in East Africa with a new Nairobi office, strengthening its strategy of connecting African businesses with regional and international capital as companies across the continent seek financing to scale operations, expand across borders and unlock new investment opportunities.
The investment banking firm has appointed Sajan Shah, CFA, as Director for East Africa, reinforcing its capacity to support businesses and investors in one of Africa’s increasingly interconnected economic regions.
The expansion reflects the growing importance of regional financial networks in mobilising capital, facilitating cross-border transactions and supporting Africa’s ambitions for economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Shah brings approximately a decade of investment banking and advisory experience, having built and led deal advisory teams at BDO East Africa. He also gained experience as a private credit investor at Cygnum, giving him exposure to different financing models and capital structures.
His appointment adds to Verdant IMAP’s existing regional expertise and relationships, positioning the firm to work more closely with businesses, investors and financial institutions across East Africa.
Verdant has established a strong investment banking presence in the region, consistently ranking among the top three firms in DealMakers East Africa league tables over the past five years, according to the company.
The firm currently has mandates spanning six East African countries, covering financial services, technology, mining, logistics, renewable energy and real estate. Its advisory services include mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt raising, debt restructuring, and financing arrangements involving streaming and offtake agreements.
These activities reflect the diverse financing requirements of African businesses as they seek to expand production, improve infrastructure, adopt new technologies and enter new markets.
Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund also maintains an investment presence in the region, with four investments in companies located in or operating across East Africa.
The Nairobi office will serve as a regional platform for connecting African enterprises with domestic, continental and international sources of capital. By combining local market knowledge with its wider transaction network, Verdant aims to support businesses pursuing growth opportunities within East Africa and beyond.
The move also highlights the role of financial intermediaries in advancing Pan-African economic cooperation. While trade integration and infrastructure development remain central to Africa’s economic transformation, access to suitable financing is critical for businesses seeking to operate across national borders.
Under the AfCFTA framework, stronger commercial links between African markets could create opportunities for companies to expand regional supply chains, develop new products and attract investment. However, translating these ambitions into sustainable growth requires financing structures that reflect local market conditions, business risks and long-term development needs.
Verdant IMAP operates across multiple African markets, specialising in private credit, private equity and corporate finance, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and strategic advisory.
Its Nairobi expansion strengthens its capacity to connect East African businesses to broader investment networks while bringing international transaction expertise closer to regional companies.
For African businesses, the availability of capital remains an important factor in scaling operations and competing in regional and global markets. Verdant’s expanded presence provides another channel through which companies can explore financing and strategic partnerships.
The longer-term significance of the expansion will depend on how effectively such financial networks translate investment opportunities into productive capital, business expansion and stronger commercial links across Africa.
As African economies pursue greater integration, institutions capable of mobilising capital across borders will remain important to the continent’s efforts to build competitive businesses and deepen economic cooperation.
