Ahmed Heikal

Company: Citadel Capital
Position: Chairman

Biography: Ahmed Heikal is the founder of Egypt’s Citadel Capital, which was formed in 2004. It has since developed into one of the most significant private equity firms in the country and across the region.

Citadel has raised $4.8bn, completed 54 acquisitions and company formations, and has been involved in investments across 15 countries. It is currently involved in the development of a $3.7bn oil refinery in Cairo. In 2010, the firm accounted for 27.5 per cent of all private equity funds raised for investment in the Middle East and North Africa.

Prior to founding Citadel, Heikal worked for Egyptian investment bank EFG Hermes, where he held several roles, including head of asset management. He helped EFG Hermes become one of the largest investment lenders in the Arab world. Heikal has a master’s and a doctorate degree in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University in the US.

Contact Tel: (+20) 2 2791 4440
Website: www.citadelcapital.com
Q&A with Ahmed Heikal