Abdul Karim Mohamed
About Abdul Karim Mohamed
Abdul Karim Mohamed serves as the Head of Education for East Africa at Acumen, where he focuses on improving educational quality through strategic investments. He has a diverse background in investment and operations, with previous roles at organizations such as UNICEF, Engineers Without Borders Canada, and Ontario Power Generation.
Current Role at Acumen
Abdul Karim Mohamed serves as the Head of Education for East Africa at Acumen, a position he has held since 2019. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, he focuses on strategic investments aimed at enhancing educational opportunities in the region. His work involves identifying and supporting innovative K-12 education ventures, contributing to the improvement of educational quality for mass markets.
Previous Experience
Prior to his current role, Abdul Karim held various positions that contributed to his expertise in education and investment. He worked as an Investment Officer at Engineers Without Borders Canada from 2016 to 2017 in Accra. He also served as a Business Model Mentor in the Office of Innovation at UNICEF from 2019 to 2020 in Toronto. His experience includes roles at Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Power Generation, and Grand Challenges Canada, where he focused on strategic planning and investment management.
Educational Background
Abdul Karim Mohamed earned a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Chemical Engineering from Ryerson University, completing his studies from 2004 to 2009. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management between 2012 and 2015. Additionally, he participated in an exchange program at the National University of Singapore, where he also achieved an MBA in 2015.
Achievements in Education Investment
Abdul Karim has significant experience in equity and quasi-equity investments targeting the education sectors in East Africa, specifically in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. He played a key role in launching a $10 million Education Facility in East Africa, aimed at investing in innovative K-12 education ventures. His efforts have been instrumental in improving the quality of education for mass markets in the region.
Professional Development
Throughout his career, Abdul Karim has engaged in various professional roles that have enhanced his skills in investment and education. He worked as an Associate Partner at Social Venture Partners (SVP) Toronto in 2019 and gained valuable experience in strategic generation planning at Ontario Power Generation from 2009 to 2016. His diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the education landscape in East Africa.