Key Takeaways
- • Pharo Management, a $7 billion global macro hedge fund specializing in emerging markets, is establishing an Abu Dhabi hub to relocate its Africa Fund teams from New York and London.
- • The relocation has been completed, with the Abu Dhabi office now operational as of the end of 2025, positioning the fund closer to African policymakers and decision-makers.
- • Partner Nicolas Sagna has relocated to the Abu Dhabi office as part of the structural realignment of the Africa Fund's management and operations.
- • The move reflects a broader trend among global hedge funds migrating operations to the Middle East, particularly to Abu Dhabi, as a regional base for emerging market and Africa-focused strategies.
- • Pharo is actively hiring talent in Abu Dhabi, including an Africa Economist role, signaling sustained commitment to building out the hub's capabilities.
Summary
Pharo Management, the New York-based $7 billion global macro hedge fund with a focus on emerging markets, has completed the relocation of its Africa Fund teams from New York and London to Abu Dhabi. The initiative, which was in early-stage planning phases, has now reached full operational status by the end of 2025.
The strategic rationale for the relocation centers on geographic proximity to African policymakers and decision-makers. This positioning enables the fund to enhance its intelligence gathering, stakeholder engagement, and investment decision-making processes for African markets. The move underscores management's conviction that regional infrastructure and direct access to policy centers strengthen emerging market investment capabilities.
Partner Nicolas Sagna has been relocated to lead operations at the Abu Dhabi office, reflecting Pharo's commitment to deploying senior talent to the new hub. The fund is actively building out the office's capabilities by recruiting specialized talent, including positions for an Africa Economist, indicating plans for sustained expansion of the Abu Dhabi presence.
The relocation reflects a consolidation trend among global hedge funds establishing Gulf-based hubs to manage emerging market exposure more effectively. Pharo's move to Abu Dhabi, combined with its 25 years of experience in emerging market macro investing, positions the firm to leverage both established expertise and improved regional market access.
The strategic rationale for the relocation centers on geographic proximity to African policymakers and decision-makers. This positioning enables the fund to enhance its intelligence gathering, stakeholder engagement, and investment decision-making processes for African markets. The move underscores management's conviction that regional infrastructure and direct access to policy centers strengthen emerging market investment capabilities.
Partner Nicolas Sagna has been relocated to lead operations at the Abu Dhabi office, reflecting Pharo's commitment to deploying senior talent to the new hub. The fund is actively building out the office's capabilities by recruiting specialized talent, including positions for an Africa Economist, indicating plans for sustained expansion of the Abu Dhabi presence.
The relocation reflects a consolidation trend among global hedge funds establishing Gulf-based hubs to manage emerging market exposure more effectively. Pharo's move to Abu Dhabi, combined with its 25 years of experience in emerging market macro investing, positions the firm to leverage both established expertise and improved regional market access.
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