Who We Are
INFORMATION & HISTORY
The EMENA SFN is a collaborative platform uniting sovereign wealth funds across Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. This network serves as a regional hub where members meet to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and explore new investment opportunities that can drive growth and development in the region.
Founded in March 2022, the network’s founding members include Malta Government Investments (MGI), the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, Growthfund (Greece), and Bpifrance. These institutions have come together to foster cooperation and create a unified investment strategy. Additionally, Compañía Española de Financiación del Desarrollohas signed a memorandum of understanding to join as a member, further strengthening the network’s reach.
The mission of the EMENA SFN is to promote co-investment opportunities among its members and other associated sovereign wealth funds, focusing on key sectors within the EMENA region and sub-Saharan Africa. Particular emphasis is placed on Greentech, Renewable Energy, and the Blue Economy, which represent strategic areas for long-term sustainable growth and development. Through this collaborative framework, the EMENA SFN aims to contribute to economic prosperity and the creation of a sustainable future for the region.
OBJECTIVES
Our Objectives
The EMENA Sovereign Fund Network takes a practical approach to boosting investment activity and driving economic development across the region. By pooling capital from sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and forming alliances with investment managers and international funds, the network aims to unlock significant private investment flows. This collaborative effort is designed to address the estimated $700bn to $900bn investment funding gap in the EMENA region.
Focused on Green Technology, Sustainable Development, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), and Innovation, the network targets sectors critical for the region’s sustainable growth.
In addition to SWF-backed investments, partnerships with global investment managers and international funds will play a vital role in de-risking and funding projects or companies active in the EMENA area. These collaborations will ensure a broader impact and attract more capital into the region.
Through the exchange of experience and information, the network will help align its efforts with national economic goals across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
With a Mediterranean base in Malta, the foundation is well-positioned to expand its influence by establishing partnerships and encouraging other SWFs to join. The network will serve as a forum for dialogue among investors, business leaders, governments, and international funds, driving investments and fostering innovation in Greentech and the Blue Economy.
Our Members
Malta, Egypt, France and Spain Sovereign Funds and Greece Sovereign Fund are the member of the European, Middle East and North Africa Sovereign Wealth Funds Foundation
Mr Gatt is a committee board member of Emena.
He began his career as head of program at the General Delegation for Armament of the French Ministry of Defense, in the telecommunications sector (1987-1993). At the Ministry in charge of the Industry (1994-1998) he became successively the assistant of the “electronic components” assistant director and “IT and telecommunications” assistant director.
In September 1999, Pascal LAGARDE was appointed Head of the Venture and Seed Capital Department of CDC PME (Groupe Caisse des Dépôts) and, in 2001, assistant Managing Director of CDC PME, and Chairman of its subsidiary CDC PME Gestion, in charge of public mid-caps investments. In June 2003, he was appointed Managing Director of CDC PME.
In September 2006, as part of the reorganization of the private equity activities of Caisse des Dépôts, Pascal LAGARDE was appointed Managing Director of CDC Entreprises, in charge of CDC general interest programs for SMEs equity financing: venture capital, expansion capital and smallcap LBOs. CDC Entreprises was a management company, managing a total of €7.8Bin fund of funds and direct investment funds. Its LPs included the CDC group, public and private financial institutions, and industrials firms.
Following the creation of Bpifrance, Pascal LAGARDE has been appointed in July 2013 Executive Director of Bpifrance, in charge of strategy, development, international affairs and ESG.
From 2016 to 2022, Pascal Lagarde served as Chairman of The Montreal Group, a global forum for development banks focused on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. He also co-founded the European Venture Fund Investors Network (EVFIN), a platform for dialogue launched in March 2011 by major national investors in venture capital in response to the continuing funding crisis in this sector across the EU.
Pascal Lagarde is a board member of
✓ Siparex Associés
✓ Cita
✓ Five Capital Partners (Emirati Company)
✓ Invega (Lithuanian Company)
✓ Bpifrance International Capital
✓ Institutional Investors Roundtable (IIR) (Canadian Company)
He is President of FKF (GP) SAS Company
He is a member of Averroès Finance investment and strategic committees.
He chairs the Emena foundation.
A few words about Growthfund
Growthfund is a holding company established in 2016 with the Greek State as its Sole Shareholder, represented by the Minister of Finance. Its mission, as the National Fund of Greece, is to play an active role in modernizing State-Owned Enterprises, to maximize the value of public property, to provide improved services to citizens and consumers, and to contribute to the national economy. Growthfund's portfolio consists of its subsidiaries and participations in State-Owned Enterprises operating in key sectors of the Greek economy, such as Real Estate: Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), Public Properties Company (ETAD), GAIAOSE, and TIF-HELEXPO, Energy: PPC, Transportation & Infrastructure: Athens International Airport, Transport for Athens Group, Corinth Canal (AEDIK), and 23 Regional Airports, Food Supply: CMT, CMFO, and Hellenic Saltworks, Technology: 5G Ventures (PHAISTOS), and Postal Services: Hellenic Post Group. The value of assets under management currently amounts to €5.5 billion, while the Group’s total workforce is over 25.000 people.
Ms. Anthi Trokoudi is the Chief Coms & Sustainability Officer of Growthfund, the National Fund of Greece, since April 2021. Prior to holding this position and since 2006, Ms. Trokoudi was Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer in the Olympia Group, leading the sustainability & communications functions in a diversified portfolio (energy storage, telecoms, retail & e-commerce, and software) that spans 8 countries. She brings broad experience of more than 20 years in M&As and IPOs. She has served as Vice-Chair of the Corporate Affairs Board of the Hellenic Management Association.
A few words about Growthfund
Growthfund is a holding company established in 2016 with the Greek State as its Sole Shareholder, represented by the Minister of Finance. Its mission, as the National Fund of Greece, is to play an active role in modernizing State-Owned Enterprises, to maximize the value of public property, to provide improved services to citizens and consumers, and to contribute to the national economy. Growthfund's portfolio consists of its subsidiaries and participations in State-Owned Enterprises operating in key sectors of the Greek economy, such as Real Estate: Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), Public Properties Company (ETAD), GAIAOSE, and TIF-HELEXPO, Energy: PPC, Transportation & Infrastructure: Athens International Airport, Transport for Athens Group, Corinth Canal (AEDIK), and 23 Regional Airports, Food Supply: CMT, CMFO, and Hellenic Saltworks, Technology: 5G Ventures (PHAISTOS), and Postal Services: Hellenic Post Group. The value of assets under management currently amounts to €5.5 billion, while the Group’s total workforce is over 25.000 people.
Prior to joining Accelero Capital, Noha was Investor Relations Director of Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. and Deputy Group Director Investor Relations of VimpelCom Ltd. Noha was responsible for all communication with the investor community as well as the Egyptian Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, the depository as well as any other body which
regulates listed entities. While holding this position, Noha played an instrumental role in
ensuring the transparent and instructive information flow to all inquiring and relevant parties.
Noha was also one of the leading members of the investor relations and communication team
which played a vital role in the execution of the VimpelCom Ltd. and Wind Telecom S.p.A
merger to create the world’s sixth largest telecommunications carrier. Noha’s role in the team
also included implementing the demerger of OTH into two separate listed entities: OTH and
Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding S.A.E. – the first of its kind in Egypt at the
time.
Before joining OTH in 2009, Noha was Vice-President for Pharos Investment Banking, S.A.E.
- a subsidiary of Pharos Holding for Financial Investments, S.A.E. Upon assuming her position
as Vice-President, she was part of the team handling the syndication process of all capital
markets related deals, as well as raising debt from local and regional banks to finance local and
regional deals. Previously, Noha was the Investments Director for Pharos Securities, where she
was actively engaged in the establishment of Pharos Securities Brokerage.
Before joining Pharos Holding, Noha served as Financial Manager of LINKdotNET, during
which time she was the liaison on all financial matters with OTH. Prior to that, Noha was
Online Trading Manager at ArabFinance, managing all aspects of the ArabFinance Online
Trading System with all relevant parties, including government entities such as the Stock
Exchange and the Clearing and Settlement Entity; with the ensuing establishment of the
ArabFinance Online Trading System.
Noha received a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University in 2000. She is also the
recipient of the Middle East Investor Relations Society Award for Best Company
Representative.
Xavier TESSIER is graduated from Sciences Po Paris (1990) and the University of Law of Paris II. He is knight of the Merit Order.