Introducing Africa’s Best: Meet the 2014 Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE)

5. Issam Chleuh

Age: 27
Nationality: Mali
Education: University of Notre Dame, MSC
Current Title: Founder, Africa Impact Group
Presentation Topic: Capital and Funds Mobilization in Africa

A former Ernst & Young Senior Associate, Issam Chleuh is the founder of the Africa Impact Group, an international organization focused on directing investment to socially and environmentally beneficial ventures, which is an asset class called “Impact Investing.” The company’s services include data & research, news, advisory services, and start-up incubation. Africa Impact Group’s clients include impact investors, private equity firms, family offices, leading African corporations, governments, and nonprofits. Issam has been featured on Forbes “30 Under 30: Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs.”

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Face2Face Africa: What is your goal and vision for the Africa Impact Group?

Issam Chleuh: My vision in founding the Africa Impact Group is to become the Boston Consulting Group or Bain & Company of Impact Investing. Today, we are one of the top advisory firms and brokers for Impact Investing in Africa. We are working on big engagements and deals alongside partners like IFC/World Bank and the Dangote Group, to cite a few. Within two years, we have accomplished a lot of milestones. We are very far from where we want to be. In five years, I see Africa Impact Group as the leading Impact Investing advisory, research, news, and data group in Africa. In 25 years, I see Africa Impact Group as the leading impact investing group globally. As Tupac said, “Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.” I beg, let me dream. (Smile)

F2FA: What do you love about Africa?

IC: I love everything about Africa: the diversity of cultures, the food, the music, etc.

F2FA: What would you change about the current state of Africa if you could? How are you currently working to bring about this change?

IC: The main thing I will change is the poor corporate governance structure existent in most of our countries. I will put the right people in power and ensure that they are capable of developing the right policies and are effective leaders.

 Join Issam and learn more about his journey at the United Nations on Friday, July 25th. Click here to register.