Everything we have accomplished and everything we've come to stand for has been a direct result of our team's effort
Charles Omanga
Managing Principal
Charles co-founded Horizon Africa Capital Ltd (“Horizon”) a boutique mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory firm based in Nairobi in January of 2010. The Company was the first African Partner of Global M&A and covered seven sub-Saharan countries. Over time Horizon Africa has developed a solid reputation for its professional service and is ranked amongst the top advisory firms in East Africa. Horizon has executed equity transactions in excess of USD$ 400 million and debt transactions in excess of USD$ 1 billion regionally. Charles has led and closed complex acquisitions, capital raisings and mergers in financial services, healthcare, energy and manufacturing.
In addition, Charles is an advisory lead at Horizon and is involved in significant project finance transactions. He has been called upon by several large private firms and listed NSE companies to independently lead the thinking on their expansion and financial plans.
Charles served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). He was appointed as a Member of the Board on 30th May, 2018.His term ended in January 2023.
He served KRA in the various board committees, namely: Chairman of Board Audit And Risk, Member of the Finance Administration and Procurement, Member of the Revenue Strategy and Technology and Vice Chairman of the Human Resources Committee.
As a non-executive, Charles has also served in various boards in financial services including banking and stock brokerage.
He is a member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA).
Shanif Dewany
Managing Principal
Background:
Shanif is a
seasoned
investment
banker with a
well-established
track record in
structuring and
advising on
complex M&A,
acquisition
finance and debt
syndication
transactions in
the greater East
African region
for over 25
years.
Shanif
co-founded
Horizon Africa
Capital in 2010
a boutique
mergers and
advisory firm
based in
Nairobi. Horizon
Africa Capital
has developed a
solid reputation
for its
professional
service and is
ranked amongst
the top advisory
firms in East
Africa. He has
led the firm’s
M&A and
Leveraged Buyout
practice since
its inception.
Before joining
Horizon Africa,
he had served in
senior positions
in the Corporate
and Investment
Banking arms of
Barclays Bank
Kenya and
Citibank NA.
He is also a
director and
advisor to Asiri
Capital
Management a
wealth advisory
firm based in
Nairobi,
Shanif’s role is
advising clients
on how to
protect and grow
wealth over
generations.
Shanif is also
the chairman of
The Asiri
Foundation (“The
Foundation”).
The Foundation
is a charitable
organization
geared at
helping
deserving
children from
difficult
backgrounds to
achieve their
education
potential.
He has
successfully led
and completed
M&A and
Corporate
Finance
transactions
totaling over
USD 1 billion
across the
sub-Saharan
African region
covering
multiple sectors
including the
FMCG space,
energy and
infrastructure,
agribusinesses,
manufacturing,
financial
services, and
real estate
finance. Shanif
is a key advisor
to some of the
largest family
and
privately-owned
conglomerates
operating in the
greater East
African region
on their
regional
expansion,
equity and debt
raise,
acquisitions and
disposal of
assets.
He created a one
stop financial
service business
and has been
instrumental in
forming
affiliations
with leading
mid-tier
professional
services firms
in Kenya to
provide
corporate law,
audit, fiduciary
and capital
markets
services.
Shanif holds an
MBA from the
University of
Chicago’s Booth
School of
Business and is
a member of the
Institute of
Certified
Investment and
Financial
Analysts
(ICIFA).
Pareet Shah
Managing Principal
Background: Since joining Horizon in 2010, Pareet has advised clients on the structuring and execution of complex corporate finance and project finance transactions. He has also worked on M&A deals. Prior to Horizon, Pareet worked within Corporate and Investment Banking at CfC Stanbic Bank.
Academics: Pareet graduated with a BSc. (Hons) in Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) from the University of Warwick and is a member of ACCA.
Sector Coverage: Agro-processing, Energy, Manufacturing & Industrials, Mining, Real Estate
Service Coverage: Debt Advisory & Debt Placements