Emerging Markets
Private Capital
Pioneering private investments in emerging markets
Janus Henderson’s Emerging Markets Private Capital team is based in Abu Dhabi.
The team was acquired in 2024 from NBK Wealth, where they achieved one of the most successful track records in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, having advised on investments in 40 companies and 27 portfolio exits. Their proven track record is the result of strong deal origination capabilities and a hands-on, operational approach to portfolio management.
The Emerging Markets Private Capital team currently manages four private credit and private equity strategies investing in emerging markets, including the Middle East and North Africa.
Past performance does not predict future returns. The value of an investment may go down as well as up and you may lose the amount originally invested.
Emerging Markets Private Capital at a glance
2006
Foundation year
$1.1 billion in historical capital commitments
Capital commitments
18 years of performance and growth
Track record
Advised on 40 companies with 27 successful exits
Investment milestones
Pioneered the MENA region's first dedicated private credit vehicle
Innovation
Our competitive advantage
Top private credit investor in MENA region
Experience navigating local technical nuance across multiple MENA countries
Pioneered MENA private credit through launch of first-generation fund at the height of Global Financial Crisis and launched region’s first institutional Sharia-compliant private credit fund
Robust origination network
Long-tenured senior leadership team with over 10 years of working together
Institutional ownership with strong governance standards
Cross-border specialist
Entrusted by leading regional LPSs
A history of growth and innovation
A tradition of innovation
Innovation is at the core of what Janus Henderson offers. As part of NBK Wealth, our Emerging Markets Private Capital team introduced the first private credit vehicle in the Middle East 15 years ago. This vehicle ranked among the top-performing mezzanine debt funds globally in its vintage year.
Investing in a brighter future together
With the emerging markets arena still largely untapped by private capital, this newly acquired capability opens the door to unique strategic growth opportunities and differentiated investment prospects.
While the current private credit and private equity vehicles are closed to new investments, we are preparing to launch a new private credit vehicle in Q4 2024 that will offer the potential to broaden and deepen your portfolio.
Embracing a long-term trend
Acquiring a private investments capability means we can better serve clients who are increasingly seeking differentiated investments in private credit – including evolving opportunities in emerging economies – and positions us as pioneers in anticipating and embracing this long-term trend.
Ali Dibadj
CEO, Janus Henderson Investors
In combination with Janus Henderson, we aim to solidify our role as the premier destination for institutional capital investing in private alternatives in emerging markets.
Yaser Moustafa

Head of Janus Henderson Emerging Markets Private Investments
Emerging Markets Private Credit Strategy
The Emerging Markets Private Credit Strategy provides privately negotiated flexible capital solutions to middle-market corporate borrowers across various sectors. The proceeds of private credit financing can be applied toward growth capital, acquisition financing and buyouts, balance sheet refinancing, or dividend recapitalization. We have the flexibility to invest across the capital structure through conventional or Shariah-compliant debt structures or hybrid securities.
The Private Credit team employs a disciplined cash flow lending approach that has been honed over 15 years of credit investing. Our objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns, with a focus on current income, downside protection, and equity upside potential.
No investment strategy, including a protection strategy, can ensure a profit or eliminate the risk of loss
The team brings together robust deal experience combined with deep credit skills, restructuring experience, proprietary deal flow, and intimate local knowledge of the MENA market necessary to successfully deliver the Fund’s investment strategy. The Fund’s proven track record and longstanding reputation in the market make it a capital source for a range of mid-market companies.
Emerging Markets Private Capital team
The team
Yaser Moustafa
Head of Investments
Sikander Ahmed
Managing Director, Head of Private Credit
Tamer Karam
Executive Director
Mirsaid Kupuev
Executive Director
Erdem Kilic
Principal
Christopher Haddad
Principal
Yassine Ghissassi
Principal
Mohamed El Shafei
Associate
Our private credit investments
References above do not constitute a recommendation and should not be assumed to be profitable.