Mediterrania Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on growth investments for SMEs and mid-cap companies in North and Sub-Saharan Africa, has appointed Rajaa Berrkia as Director of Sustainability.

Berrkia joined Mediterrania Capital Partners as Analyst in 2009.

Two years later, she was promoted to Associate where she handled financial modelling, initial due diligence for investment opportunities and potential add-on acquisitions, as well as assisting with the management and monitoring of portfolio companies, sourcing deals and structuring processes.

In 2016, she became Operations Director, assuming responsibility for operational and financial reporting, oversight of accounting and regulatory compliance and reporting of funds under management and portfolio companies.

As Director of Sustainability, Rajaa will be coordinating, implementing and providing strategic supervision of Mediterrania Capital Partners’ impact investing process and research. She will focus on the environmental and social performance of Mediterrania Capital Partners’ investments to build companies that are more resilient, more innovative, more environmentally friendly and better able to deliver societal benefits.

Commenting on her appointment, Berrkia said: “Since Mediterrania Capital began operations, we have focused on environmental issues, social responsibility and governance factors, and have realised that you don’t need to sacrifice financial returns to build ESG-compliant companies. Developing practical alternatives that have a direct and measurable impact on the African communities and economies is not only possible but becoming crucial in today’s world.”

Private equity firms around the world are increasingly interested in defining and implementing business strategies intended to have a positive impact on investee countries. T

his trend is especially strong in emerging markets such as Africa, where Mediterrania Capital Partners has been present since 2008.

These emerging markets have considerable – and growing – needs for high-level education, quality healthcare, low-cost financial services, modern infrastructures and much more.

This demand creates compelling business opportunities, and PE firms with an ESG- specific investment strategy can have a huge impact.