Zim fund named best Africa specialist fund

Published: 30 October 2013

The Africa-wide investment credentials of the Imara Group have been showcased by the award-winning performance of three of the asset management company's leading equity funds among them the Imara Zimbabwe Fund which was named as the best Africa specialist fund.

The accolade was bestowed in Cape Town in late October at the third annual Africa Fund Manager Performance Awards.

The Imara African Opportunities Fund - a product with positions in a wide range of sub-Saharan markets – was named the best Africa equity fund over the long term (excluding South Africa) with a fund size of more than $50 million.

The Imara Zimbabwe Fund was hailed the best Africa specialist fund. Also nominated for this award were its stablemates, the Imara East Africa Fund and the Imara Nigeria Fund.

Top performer among equity funds focused on the Nigeria market was the Imara Nigeria Fund which also beat competition from managers based in Nigeria.

John Legat, head of Imara's asset management division, noted: "The African equity arena has become highly competitive as more and more investors seek exposure to growth opportunities across our continent."

"It is therefore highly satisfying to win recognition for performance in so many different markets across the continent.

"We regard the awards as an endorsement of the Imara investment model and our closeness to individual markets through on-the-ground representation and our in-depth research into specific geographies, sectors and companies."

"I congratulate all teams who contributed to this success."

Manager of the Imara African Opportunities and the Imara Zimbabwe Funds is John Legat while the Imara Nigeria Fund is managed by Jon Chew, Imara's Chief Investment Officer.
- businessdaily