A New Chapter for Impact Investing in MENA

22 September 2025 | 11:00 AM | Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP)

Join us for a live, in-person recording of a new episode of Shaping Philanthropy, a podcast lead by the Circle Network, as we explore what’s next for impact investing in the MENA region.

Our guest is Nafez Dakkak, Managing Director of Anara Impact Capital, the region’s first fund dedicated to impact investment in learning, climate and wellbeing. Backed by family offices across MENA, Anara is a subsidiary of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy and invests in late seed and Series A companies.

The conversation will explore the fund’s vision, its backers, and the potential of impact capital to drive meaningful change.

A leading voice in the sector, Nafez also co-founded BLDR, a venture studio shaping the future of work and learning in the region, and previously launched Edraak.org with the Queen Rania Foundation, now one of the largest Arabic learning platforms, reaching nearly 10 million users.

The session will be released as an episode of Shaping Philanthropy Podcast.

“Circle MENA Network is a partnership between Philanthropy Age and Pearl Initiative and is supported by the Gates Foundation.”

Click here to RSVP.