Mr Kemoli New Forests MD Africa
New Forests has appointed Yida Kemoli as managing director, Africa. Mr Kemoli will be responsible for driving the strategy for New Forests’ African business, fund raising for African forestry strategies, leading the team on the ground in Nairobi, and delivering investment returns and impact outcomes for clients. Source: Timberbiz
He brings over two decades of experience leading, investing in, and growing businesses primarily in Eastern Africa across various sectors related to agriculture and nature-based solutions, as well as infrastructure and consumer industries.
Mr Kemoli was previously a senior partner with Phatisa Group, a food and agriculture focused sub-Saharan African private equity fund management business, where he was responsible for origination and portfolio management in Eastern Africa, as well as being a member of the investment committee and portfolio company boards.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr Kemoli will report to Mark Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of New Forests and sit on New Forests’ executive committee.
Mark Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of New Forests said, “We are extremely excited to welcome Yida to the team. Africa represents a strategically important market for New Forests to continue to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities that exist across forestry in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We aim to deliver commercial returns for our investors, alongside managing conservation projects and making a substantial impact in the local communities where we invest. Yida’s knowledge, experience and long track record in the African investment and natural capital space will be fundamental in contributing to the success of the business.”
New Forests has had a presence in Kenya since 2021. In 2022, along with investment partners British International Investment (BII), Norfund and Finnfund, New Forests launched its first African forestry strategy with four impact targets around climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, gender & diversity, and community & livelihoods.
