Intel Capital, the global investment and merger and acquisition arm of Intel, has announced the appointment of Tobi Oke as its Investment Director, Lagos, with the charge to focus on investment in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Tobi brings to Intel Capital a combination of investment and technology skills developed through a robust practice and experience,” the company said in a statement.
According to the statement, prior to joining Intel Capital, Oke was an Associate Director at Standard Chartered Private Equity, Lagos. Before then, he was an Investment Associate at HSBC Principal Investments in London.
He had also worked as Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and as a Software Engineer and Product Development Manager at Motorola.
Oke holds an MBA from the London Business School and a Master’s in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College, London.
Announcing the appointment, Managing Director, Intel Capital Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia/CIS, Marcin Hejka, said “We are pleased to welcome Tobi to Intel Capital. His local knowledge and expertise will help further strengthen our investment team.
“Sub-Saharan Africa has become a source of an increasing number of innovative technology companies with which venture capital backing can help to develop. With the help of Tobi, we hope to increase our investments in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Commenting on his appointment Oke said, “There is tremendous opportunity to provide entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa with greater access to capital as well as growth resources, including our global network and technological expertise.
“I look forward to building Intel Capital’s presence in the region and working closely with the local entrepreneurs.”
The statement explained that Intel Capital was dedicated to facilitating economic growth in the region by supporting the local venture capital ecosystem and offering entrepreneurs in the region value beyond equity since 2011.