Kishan Popat: Bridging Global Capital and Africa’s Next Growth Frontier Kishan Popat has spent the past two decades building bridges between people, capital, and ideas—linking East African corporates to leading global investors, bringing African executives into the halls of MIT, and investing in critical mineral ventures that embed community benefit at their core. His work spans trading floors, boardrooms, classrooms, and community partnerships, united by a single mission: to align resources, relationships, and purpose in driving Africa’s next growth chapter, as CEO East Africa Magazine's Muhereza Kyamutetera writes.

Over the course of two decades, a teenage vow in Kenya has matured into a career shaping U.S.-Africa investment flows, at the intersection of capital markets, policy, and entrepreneurship – defined by analytical rigour, relentless curiosity, and a deep commitment to the continent’s growth.

Early Inspiration: A Promise Made in Kenya

At just 15, Kishan made a pledge to his parents: one day, he would build a software company in Kenya to help unlock Africa’s development. This vision guided his academic journey to the University of Warwick, a member of the UK’s prestigious Russell Group, where he earned a Master’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering.

The turning point came in 2006 during an internship at Deutsche Bank when he stumbled upon a YouTube video of Warren Buffett discussing value investing. Captivated, Kishan redirected his career path from engineering to finance, pursuing an MSc in Finance back at Warwick in 2007. He graduated in 2009 into the turbulence of the global financial crisis—a time when most sought safe havens. Instead, he returned to Kenya, drawn by the region’s growth momentum.

Cutting His Teeth in East Africa’s Capital Markets

Kishan’s first role was as the inaugural investment analyst at Genghis Capital. Young but ambitious, he built the research team from scratch—creating templates, sector analysis tools, and reaching out directly to senior policymakers and executives. His boldness caught the attention of Dr. Bitange Ndemo, then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communication, who took his call and offered him an hour-long briefing. “That call changed everything,” Kishan recalls. “It made me realise I could engage senior policymakers and actually have an impact.”

By 2010, seeking exposure to a mature market, Kishan returned to the UK on a special graduate visa, immersing himself in structured finance while spending weekends at the British Library practising Buffett-style investing. This period forged lasting connections with leading investors, including Whitney Tilson.

Kestrel Capital and the U.S. Investor Connection (2014–2021)

In 2014, Kishan returned to East Africa, joining Kestrel Capital. Over the next seven years, he evolved into one of the region’s most respected investment professionals, producing deep-dive sector research and becoming a trusted voice for both local and international investors.

His role at Kestrel was not just about producing research—it was about building bridges. Kishan hosted and supported some of the top global institutional investors seeking exposure to East African capital markets, guiding them through the nuances of local equities, debt instruments, and regulatory landscapes. These interactions brought foreign portfolio managers into closer dialogue with East African CEOs and CFOs, building trust that outlasted the transactions themselves.

Investor roadshows took him to the US, UK, and South Africa, where he gained first-hand insight into the mindset of global capital allocators. His thoughtful, well-researched engagement with executives earned him a reputation for both disciplined analysis and objectivity. Safaricom CFO Dilip Pal later remarked: “His questions were not just smart, they were thoughtful and often made us reflect more deeply on our own business. He had a rare ability to blend analytical rigour with genuine curiosity. Kishan also had a clear passion for the potential of African businesses, which consistently came through in his insights and conversations.”

In 2017, Kishan authored one of the earliest public warnings on Kenya’s rising debt burden—a perspective that has proven increasingly relevant as interest costs consume a larger share of government revenue.

MIT Years: Global Exposure and Africa Advocacy (2021–2024)

In 2021, Kishan entered the MIT Sloan MBA program on a fellowship, drawn by its unique blend of engineering, systems thinking, and investment education. He cross-registered at Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School, enriching his understanding of both global markets and public policy.

At MIT, Kishan became a vital link between African corporate leadership and the world’s top academic institutions. He hosted senior executives like Safaricom’s Dilip Pal and EABL’s Risper Ohaga for interactive sessions with students, offering rare access to the operational realities of African business. These conversations have not only inspired students but also positioned African companies as innovative peers on a global stage.

His leadership extended to organising the Investment Panel at the MIT Africa Innovate Conference, attracting investors from private equity, development finance, and venture capital. He built relationships with investment legends such as Howard Marks, David Einhorn, Michael Mauboussin, and Whitney Tilson—and even managed to have the late Charlie Munger as a confirmed speaker. “MIT forced me to dream bigger,” he says. “The institution believed in me.”

Research on Africa’s Financial Resilience 

Kishan’s intellectual curiosity found a new outlet at the MIT Kuo Sharper Centre, where he authored Navigating Currency Volatility: Challenges and Explored Solutions for Small Businesses and Startups in Africa. The research analysed how currency swings disrupt business planning, cash flow, and pricing in sub-Saharan Africa. It also proposed solutions—from innovative hedging instruments to regional currency swap agreements—that could help entrepreneurs weather macroeconomic turbulence. The findings have been shared with policymakers, investors, and accelerators seeking to strengthen Africa’s financial resilience.

Strategic Focus on U.S.–Africa Critical Minerals Investment

Currently, Kishan is focused on mobilising U.S. investment into Africa’s critical minerals value chain—central to the clean-energy transition. Through Endura Capital Management and as an advisor to Metalex Commodities Inc., he is helping scale a partnership that pairs bankable returns with clear social and environmental commitments. 

In June 2025, Metalex and Zambia’s Terra Metals formally launched Lunda Resources to advance a substantial copper project in the North-Western province of Zambia. This included core design principles: formalised local supply chains, skilled jobs, and community investment – positioning it as a blueprint for U.S.-Africa collaboration.

Kishan further notes: “The Lobito Atlantic Railway will shorten lead times and reduce logistics costs significantly across the Copperbelt regions in Zambia and the DRC. This singular investment will trigger durable, region-wide economic expansion. This is just the start.”

An Ecosystem Builder at Heart

Across his career, Kishan has consistently acted as an ecosystem builder—connecting capital to opportunity, knowledge to institutions, and vision to execution. He has linked East African corporates to global markets, brought African executives into dialogue with MIT students, and helped structure ventures that embed community benefit at their core.

His network spans policymakers, CEOs, global fund managers, and entrepreneurs. He understands that Africa’s growth will not come from capital alone, but from the alignment of resources, relationships, and shared purpose.

Vision for Africa’s Next Growth Chapter

With Africa’s population set to double in the next 40 years, Kishan believes the continent’s economic potential is extraordinary—but only if it builds solid foundations: modern infrastructure, diversified supply chains, accessible capital markets, and world-class education. “Only by strengthening these foundations can Africa fully unleash its potential,” he says.

Reflecting on his journey, Kishan often returns to the moment Dr. Ndemo took his call. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have mentors who believed in me. Their guidance opened doors I never imagined. While I may not have built the software company I dreamed of at 15, I have honoured that promise in another way—by dedicating my career to Africa’s development and fostering a culture of mentorship across the continent.”

Kishan Popat’s career exemplifies the rare power of the connector—someone who not only sees opportunities but builds the bridges that make them real.