Who we are

Fonds Souverain de Djibouti “FSD” is a sovereign wealth fund, created in the form of a joint stock company by Law No. 075/AN/20/8th L of March 29, 2020.

The mandate of the Fund is to help improve governance and catalyse investments – by co-investing alongside private investors – in strategic sectors of the economy to build long-term wealth for future generation, foster inclusion, and create jobs. FSD aims to diversify and modernize the country’s economy as well as boost the growth of the country by relying on a competitive private sector.

FSD has a local, regional and global scope and is governed by the highest standards of governance: the Santiago Principles.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE

The main mission entrusted to the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti is overcoming the challenges involved in the development process and accompanying the country on the path of growth by diversifying its economy.

The institution has been provided with adequate means to be the interface of financial institutions, investors, and lenders.

Partners called to provide with the FSD more financial resources for the implementation of structural and sustainable projects affecting the key sectors identified in the “Djibouti Vision 2035,” ranging from health to education through the reinforcement of infrastructure, transport, logistics, communications, or the digital economy.

The beginning of industrialization is also sought, especially since the FSD is committed to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives. In a globalized world, in constant technological change with the all-digital revolution and the expected shift to renewable energy, in particular, to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change, Djibouti has decided to maintain the course of growth by attracting more and more investors.

The younger generation’s future depends on this financial flow generating sustainable businesses and jobs. But this can only be achieved if the youth are educated and trained with the required skills to adapt quickly to the labor market conditions. Qualified human and financial resources are inseparable from ensuring a better future for the next generations of Djiboutians.

The Fonds Souverain de Djibouti joined the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) in May 2022. It is positioning itself among the best sovereign wealth funds in terms of governance and transparency, suitable to create the ideal conditions that will allow partners to invest in Djibouti and generate wealth and jobs in the Republic of Djibouti.

Let’s be bold and dare to invest in making Djibouti an attractive economic pole and rapidly become part of the group of “emerging” countries.

Dr. Slim FERIANI
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DJIBOUTI SOVEREIGN FUND

MANAGEMENT

Dr. Slim Feriani is the CEO of the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti.

He is the Former Minister of Industry, Energy, Mining, Renewable Energy, and SMEs of Tunisia (2017-2020).

Dr. Feriani worked at a number of financial services firms in the United Kingdom, such as investment bank Nomura International and asset management firms Martin Currie Investment Management (acquired by Franklin Templeton), Advance Emerging Capital (acquired by Aberdeen Asset Management), and GCA Asset Management (which then became Gulf Central Merchant Bank).
Dr. Feriani held senior positions, including those of Chairman, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer (CIO), as well as NED board roles in listed and privately owned companies.

Highly multicultural and holding dual British and Tunisian citizenship. Dr. Feriani lived and worked in the US, UK, and Tunisia. Covered and invested in nearly 90 countries and visited over 50 of them.

Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Dr. Feriani holds an MBA and a Ph.D. in Finance, Investment, and International Finance from The George Washington University in Washington DC, where he taught courses in these areas of specialty and later sat on the Board of Advisors of its School of Business.

INVESTMENT DEPARTMENT

Mr. Gbarssin joined FSD in October 2021 to lead the investment activities as Chief Investment Officer.

Prior to FSD, Mr. Gbarssin gathered over a decade of experience in venture capital, growth capital, and private equity investing in 3 continents, including Africa, most recently with British International Investments and, before that, with Morgan Stanley, Tandem Expansion, and HealthCap.

Having French and Canadian citizenships, Mr. Gbarssin has lived and worked in Canada, France, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Fluent in English and French, he holds a Juris Doctor degree in Common Law, a Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University, and an MBA from INSEAD.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Mr. Moussa Malow joined FSD as Accountant in January 2021. He held this position until September 2022 before being appointed Acting Finance Director.

A graduate of the Belgian Chamber of Accountants in Brussels, Mr. Malow has worked as Manager of the accounting department at Roche Bobois Belgium and Head Accountant at La Presse.Be (a subsidiary of groupe Rossel).

In addition to French, he is fluent in Dutch and holds dual Djiboutian and Belgian nationality.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

Mission

We help building a diversified economy driven by promoting sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.

Objective

Build a well-diversified portfolio of financial assets that contribute to intergenerational wealth.

Governance

The Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (FSD) is under the supervision of the Presidency of the Republic.

FSD’s board of directors supports senior management in picking strategic orientations.

Senior management develops and implements the culture and the investment program of FSD with the support of the investment department.