The World Economic Forum has selected the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Citadel Capital as a 2013 Young Global Leader. The prestigious recognition is awarded to active young leaders from around the world who show outstanding initiative and commitment towards global, regional and industry agendas.
Citadel Capital, the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East with investments of US$ 9.5 billion under control (CCAP.CA), has announced on Tuesday that Co-Founder and Managing Director Hisham El-Khazindar has been selected as a World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leader (YGL). Each year the Forum recognizes the outstanding achievements of global leaders under the age of 40 who are active in diverse areas of expertise including business, civil society, media, government, education and entrepreneurship.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be selected as part of the World Economic Forum’s dynamic international community of Young Global Leaders who have a shared vision to positively impact the world around them,” said El-Khazindar.
The YGL Forum currently includes 750 leading figures from 78 countries with proven track records through work in everything from corporations to social enterprises, education and politics. Each year the WEF selects 100-200 young global leaders who serve for a five-year term. Candidates must undergo a rigorous, multi-stage screening and selection process to ensure that the list of potential Young Global Leaders have all made significant contributions to business and social issues and think with a global perspective.
Prior to co-founding Citadel Capital, El-Khazindar was the Executive Director of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, the Arab world’s premier investment bank, where he began his career in 1996. From 1999-2000 he was seconded to Goldman Sachs in London, advising global corporations on strategic options and M&A transactions.
After completing his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2003, El-Khazindar returned to Egypt and joined Dr. Ahmed Heikal to co-found Citadel Capital with initial capital of US$ 350,000. Over the past nine years, the firm has grown to become Africa’s leading investment company with investments of more than US$ 9.5 billion, focusing on five core industries: energy, transportation and logistics, agriculture and consumer foods, mining, and cement and construction.
“Implementing and witnessing the transformation of visionary ideas into tangible businesses that bring value to shareholders and the community alike is an honor and a privilege,” said El-Khazindar. “An important component of our business model has always been to pursue sustainable investments that will not only deliver strong returns to our shareholders but will also help nurture and grow the emerging economies of Africa and the Middle East.”
El-Khazindar’s track record in structuring complex investments and private equity transactions has earned him a reputation as an industry expert. El-Khazindar is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA), and a founding member of the Egyptian Private Equity Association (EPEA). He previously served as Chairman of the Capital Markets and Investment Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and as a board member of the Egyptian Capital Markets Association.
Apart from his professional accomplishments, El-Khazindar has a personal interest in supporting education in the region. He is a Trustee of the American University in Cairo (AUC), a member of the board of advisors of AUC’s School of Business and the Founder of AUC’s El-Khazindar Business Research and Case Center (KCC). The Center aims to provide world-class case studies on companies in the MENA region and other educational services that can bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications.
He is also actively involved in the Citadel Capital Scholarship Foundation, which today has granted more than 100 scholarships to students pursuing graduate studies at prestigious international universities in Europe and North America. Each recipient of a Citadel Capital scholarship pledges as a condition of acceptance to return to Egypt to work in their chosen field following the completion of their studies. El-Khazindar is also a Trustee of the Cairo Children’s Cancer Hospital and a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Middle East Leadership Initiative.
“As Egypt strives to transition to democracy and rebuild its economy post-revolution, engaging and collaborating with an accomplished community of like-minded individuals such as the YGL’s is extremely valuable. There are many experiences to be shared and much that we can learn from one another,” said El-Khazindar.
