Back to Speaker

Speaker Profile

Gordon Smith - Frontera Capital Group

Director & Head of Research
Prior to joining Frontera Capital in May 2014, Gordon worked with the firm’s founder, Dr Vicente Pons, at Ecobank London to drive the Sales & Strategy functions of the bank’s newly created Currency & African Asset Distribution (CAAD) Desk from 2012-14. At Citigroup Global Markets, Gordon was Africa Group Economist from 2004-06. In this role, he initiated research coverage on nine new markets in addition to maintaining the bank’s South African coverage, while at Renaissance Capital he initiated Africa research coverage as their first Africa Strategist in 2007-08. Prior to taking up his Ecobank position in London, Gordon worked as a buy-side analyst/fund manager, firstly at Ft Lauderdale-based global emerging market hedge fund INTL Consilium in their London office in 2008-09 as Head of Research for Africa, Middle East & Central Asia, and then at RMB/Momentum Asset Management as Chief Strategist in Johannesburg from 2009-12 where his prime responsibilities were to determine the firm’s ‘House View’ and to drive the local and global Asset Allocation process. In his earlier financial markets career, Gordon also worked in South Africa at Standard Bank as a Treasury Economist from 1991-94 before joining stock-broker Ivor Jones Roy in 1994, later bought out by Deutsche Bank in 1995, where he served as the bank’s Chief South Africa Economist for a decade before joining Citigroup in 2004. During his 15+ years as a sell-side analyst, Gordon was often voted by clients as a top South Africa and Africa-focused economist and/or strategist Gordon holds an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Natal, Durban in South Africa where he also taught macroeconomics and political economy for 4 years from 1987-1991 before joining Standard Bank in 1991.

Speaking at

The rise of private credit in Africa: Is a new institutional asset class truly taking root?

09:10 AM - 09:50 AM 17/03/26
Daisy, Freesia & Orchid
  • What is private credit in the African context, and why is it gaining momentum?
  • Which lending structures are most common (direct lending, mezzanine, distressed debt, structured finance)?
  • Which local and global institutional investors are currently allocating capital to African private credit markets? What are the drivers of interest and where is the capital flowing?
  • Tech, talent & tools: How can data, talent and tech improve origination, underwriting and risk management?
  • Is private credit just a stopgap while capital markets develop, or is it evolving into a long-term strategic asset class that supports African growth?

Featured Speaker

All Events

  • Attendee type
  • Speaker Sponsor
  • Speaker Buyside
  • Speaker Non Sponsor Sell Side

No results found

Sponsors

loader

About the Event

GBM-SAUDI-25-PRINT-RES-155

Where Saudi Arabia’s leading issuers and investors set the agenda for 2026 and beyond

With Saudi Arabia’s next major GBM Festival scheduled for September 2026, this January Riyadh Boardroom serves as a high-level touchpoint for senior market participants to stay connected, share perspectives, and shape the agenda for the year ahead.

Against the backdrop of regulatory reforms, shifting growth dynamics, and evolving funding needs, it provides a timely opportunity to take stock of where the Kingdom’s capital markets are heading. 

Participants will gain a clearer picture of Saudi Arabia’s 2026 market outlook, hear directly from issuers, regulators, and investors on priorities and challenges, and take part in focused roundtable discussions addressing financing strategies, project cycles, and capital market development.

Attendees will also benefit from structured 1-2-1 meetings and intimate networking, ensuring conversations translate into actionable connections. 

How do we Deliver a High ROI for Attendees?

  • Meetings & Networking
  • Expert Market Insights
  • We are the only Event to

Meetings & Networking

Meetings & Networking

WE ARE THE NO. 1 BUSINESS MEETINGS FACILITATOR FOR SAUDI ARABIA'S CAPITAL MARKETS

Be part of the growth in Saudi Arabia's capital markets by networking with more than 800 senior decision-makers essential for advancing your business.

Be where capital formation is happening. In just two days, gain unmatched high-quality connections with regulators, issuers, banks, and investors in candid, structured discussions around market-making, product innovation, and financing strategies.

As part of the two-day GBM: Saudi Arabia festival, your pass allows you access to:

- Capital Markets & Financing Strategies Saudi Arabia
- Digital Infrastructure & Investment Saudi Arabia

- Private Credit Saudi Arabia
- Global Markets Saudi Arabia

GBM-SAUDI-25-PRINT-RES-551

Expert Market Insights

Expert Market Insights

The only forum fully focused on advancing debt, equity, and structured finance in Saudi Arabia.

Complemented by an agenda of expert market insights provided by seasoned professionals and industry leaders.

Listen in on how the Kingdom is shaping its capital market evolution and financing innovation.

GBM-SAUDI-25-PRINT-RES-648

We are the only Event to

We are the only Event to...

Fully focus on advancing debt, equity, and structured finance in Saudi Arabia.

Provide a forum for shaping capital market evolution and financing innovation in Saudi Arabia.

Bring together senior decision-makers to explore how Saudi Arabian corporates can deepen their capital markets and unlock new financing channels.

Connect Saudi borrowers and local & global capital while providing a bird's eye view on deploying capital in a fast-evolving market.

GBM-SAUDI-25-PRINT-RES-758

Benefits of Sponsoring

Benefits of Sponsoring

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, click the 'Enquire' button.

Event Posting Icons (6)
Drive ROI with 1-2-1 meetings

Pre-select prospects, and then our concierge team schedules targeted meetings in an exclusive branded space.

Event Posting Icons (5)
Save time & travel costs

Meet with hundreds of senior decision-makers from more than 22 countries in one location (87% director-level or above).

Event Posting Icons (2)
Showcase your expertise

By speaking & presenting to a targeted audience of industry professionals: a room full of existing & potential clients.

Event Posting Icons (3)
Boost awareness

Amongst 800+ key stakeholders by taking an exhibition space & demonstrating your products & services.

Event Posting Icons
Accelerate deals

Meet senior decision-makers ready to move deals forward.

Event Posting Icons (1)
Win more business

Your prospects proactively seek out new business partners at the event & can request meetings with contacts they want to do business with.

Highlights Video From 2025


Highlights from last year's festival
GBM-SAUDI-ARABIA-HILTON-RIYADH

Accommodation

Looking to stay onsite?

We have a limited number of discounted rooms available to stay onsite at the Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences.

Available Rooms - Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences 

If you require assistance, please contact Danielle.Lall@GlobalBankingMarkets.com