Britam expands investment options with global equity, multi-asset funds

Nairobi, Kenya – Britam Asset Managers has recently expanded its investment offerings by launching two new special funds: the Britam Enhanced Global Equities Special Fund and the Britam Multi Asset Special Fund. These funds were approved by Kenya's Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in August, and they aim to provide Kenyan investors with opportunities to diversify their portfolios beyond domestic markets.

The global equities fund offers exposure to international companies across various sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, energy, and the digital economy. In contrast, the multi-asset fund combines local and international investments across different asset classes, including equities, fixed income securities, and commodities.

Britam Group Managing Director and CEO Tom Gitogo emphasized that Africans are increasingly participating in the global economy as consumers, businesses, and users of technology developed worldwide. He believes that Kenyan investors should have the chance to be investors in the companies driving this global economy, reaping the benefits of their growth and value creation.

The launch of these funds comes amid growing demand from Kenyan investors for diversification as local financial markets encounter challenges such as currency fluctuations, interest rate changes, and limited sector concentration. By investing in overseas markets, investors can gain exposure to companies and industries not represented on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

However, such investments also expose investors to risks, including global market volatility, exchange rate movements, and changes in international economic conditions.

Britam Asset Managers currently manages over Sh300 billion in assets, making it one of Kenya's largest asset managers. As of July, the firm had more than Sh55 billion under management in the fixed-income category. The new products, according to Britam Asset Managers CEO Barack Obatsa, are designed to broaden investment choices for investors as their needs and ambitions evolve.

Obatsa noted that these funds represent the next step in expanding the range of investment opportunities available to investors, extending their choices across global markets and asset classes.