Our People
Ashenafi Alemu
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Ashenafi is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Zoscales Partners and a Member of the Investment Committee. He has over a decade of experience in management consulting, infrastructure investments, and economic policy both in East Africa and Europe. Previously, he took part in establishing a corporate finance and management-consulting boutique in Addis Ababa: North-South Consulting Group. He holds an MSc in Economics from Aarhus University (Denmark), a BSc in International Business from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), and a BSc from Aarhus School of Business (Denmark).
Jacop B. Rentschler
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Jacop is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Zoscales Partners and a Member of the Investment Committee. Before Zoscales, Jacop made his mark in the investment management area for over a decade, undertaking investment advisor and client portfolio manager roles with Rothschild, Nordea Asset Management, and UBS. He worked with UHNWIs, family offices, institutional investors, and foundations. Jacop holds a CEMS Master’s in International Management from HEC Paris (France), an MSc in Applied Economics and Finance from Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), and a BSc in International Business from Aarhus School of Business (Denmark).
Peter Korsholm
Chairman of the Investment Committee
Peter is the Chairman of the Investment Committee and brings many years of private equity investment experience. Prior to Zoscales, he was the CFO of AAK AB, a former Partner at EQT, and the Head of EQT Denmark, where he took an active role in developing Danish operations and responsibility for some of the largest private equity deals in Denmark. Peter received an MBA with distinction from INSEAD (France) and holds an MSc in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from the London School of Economics (UK) and a BSc in Economics from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
Peter korsholm
Chairman of the Investment Committee
Esete Lulseged
Principal
Esete focuses on deal sourcing, initial analysis, and structuring of transaction. Esete has over 10 years of experience within M&A in Ethiopia and Africa. She managed the M&A practice of EY Ethiopia, directly reporting to the responsible partner while managing a team of eight. She advised on most of the large transactions that took place in Ethiopia. As an example, she worked on some of the notable FMCG transactions, e.g. breweries, bottled water, soap and detergent, etc. Before joining the M&A practice of EY, Esete worked as an analyst and associate within the advisory arm of EY Ethiopia, where she gained enormous experience advising Ethiopian and African companies within strategic value creation, business plan development, financial restructuring, organization transformation, performance management, etc. She also worked shortly as a lecturer at Addis Ababa University. Esete holds a Master of Business Administration from The London School of Business & Management London (UK) and a Business Management Degree from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia).
Esete Lulseged
Principal
Ruth Wanjiru
Principal
Ruth brings a wealth of investment experience from her 12-year career working for several private equity firms in the region. Prior to joining Zoscales, she worked with Actis Africa in exit management of healthcare assets in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and Nigeria. Ruth has hands-on experience in deal origination, portfolio management, portfolio exit, turnaround of distressed assets, balance sheet restructure and has worked on a public-private partnership for a healthcare investment in Zambia. In addition, Ruth has served as board member and chair of Audit and Risk committees for a portfolio of investments in Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria. Ruth holds a BSc in Statistics from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and a Certified Environmental Impact Assessor and Environmental Auditor.
Ruth Wanjiru
Principal
Mandla Sibanda
Operator Partner of Clean Energy and Sustainability
Mandala focuses on project development and investment into Zoscales' SNAP initiatives. With extensive experience in both conventional and renewable energy, Mandala Sibanda brings a wealth of expertise to the team. He holds a CPGS (Doctoral Candidate) from the University of Cambridge. Mandala has held significant roles, including Consultant at Big Win Philanthropy, Senior Materials Engineer at Wood Group Pratt & Whitney, Principal and Member of the Investment Committee at Everstrong Capital LLC, Non-Executive Director at Invest In Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Head of Corporate Development/Corporate Finance at Econet Wireless Group, and Partner at Gallium Investments BVI. Mandala has led and contributed to various high-impact projects, including the development of a large solar module manufacturing facility, the feasibility study for lithium battery production, the establishment of materials testing laboratories, investment evaluations, and securing significant investments and joint ventures in the energy sector. He is also a published author in the field of materials science and metallurgy.
Mandla Sibanda
Operating Partner of
Clean Energy and Sustainability
Yidnekachew Ayele
Operating Partner
Yidne is an Operating Partner of Zoscales Partners and Member of the Investment Committee. He has over 15 years of investment and entrepreneurial experience centred on Ethiopia, where he started several successful companies in different industries. He is also a shareholder and board member of the second largest private bank in Ethiopia (Awash Bank) and a member of the advisory board for Ethiopian Airlines. Yidne holds a BSc in Business Administration from the University of Saint Cloud State (USA).
Yidnekachew Ayele
Operating Partner
Mohamed Saeed
Investor Relations & Capital Raising Manager
Mohamed is responsible for managing the investor relations function for existing funds and raising capital for new funds. Mohamed also dedicates time to working with the investment team on deal evaluation and execution. Prior to joining Zoscales, Mohamed gained valuable experience working as an energy finance intern with the United Nations in Paris, where he was responsible for conducting financial analysis and market research to support the development of sustainable energy projects. He also interned as an investment banking analyst at Beltone Financial in Cairo, where he was involved in a range of high-profile transactions across various sectors. Mohamed holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (MEng) from Imperial College London in London, England.
Mohamed Saeed
Investor Relations & Capital Raising Manager
Emebet Tesfaye
Senior Finance & Risk Manager
Emebet has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial planning and analysis, and financial reporting. Previously, she worked as a consultant at AfriAviation Consulting and spent most of her professional life working for major airline companies in Ethiopia and the Middle East leveraging her international experience in multi-national settings. Emebet has an MBA from Concordia University in Montreal (Canada) and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia).
Emebet Tesfaye
Senior Finance & Risk Manager
Miguel TORRECILLA DIEZ
Investment Associate
Miguel focuses on fundraising, financial modelling, impact measurement, and portfolio management. Prior to joining Zoscales (initially as an Investment Intern), he worked as a Financial Risk Consultant for Deloitte Spain, as a data Analyst for the Danish start-up Culture Drivers, and as an external consultant for the Portuguese NGO Just a Change. Previously, he interned at Accenture Spain and in the leading Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas. Miguel holds a CEMS Master’s in International Management from NOVA SBE (Portugal), an MSc in Business and Development Studies from Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), and a dual BSc in Law and Business Administration from Carlos III University (Spain).
MIGUEL TORRECILLA DIEZ
Investment Associate
SIMON LUNDBY PEDERSEN
Investment Analyst
Simon focuses on fundraising, due diligence, and portfolio management. Prior to joining Zoscales, he worked at Kukula Capital in Zambia, Bloomberg LP in the UK and PwC in Denmark. Simon holds a BSc in Economics & Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School (Denmark).
Robert van Zwieten
Operating Partner
Robert focuses on clean energy and sustainability, with expertise in industry and infrastructure investments. He has led EMPEA (now GPCA), the global industry association for private capital in emerging markets, headquartered in Washington DC, representing a total of USD 5 trillion in assets under management (AUM). Robert was pivotal in establishing the EMPEA Infrastructure Council, which helped mainstream innovative infrastructure as a recognized asset class. Robert played a key role in designing and incubating five new infrastructure funds or vehicles at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), securing ADB anchor commitments, and raising an additional USD 800 million in third-party commitments for these innovative ventures.
Robert van Zwieten
Operating Partner
Yitemgeta Golla
Vice President of Clean Energy and Sustainability
Yitemgeta focuses on project development and investment into Zoscales' SNAP initiatives. With over 12 years of expertise in both conventional and renewable energy, Yitemgeta is an accomplished energy engineer. He holds a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering from Ecole nationale supérieure d'ingénieurs de Poitiers, France, where he specialized in the electrical energy sector, including monitoring and control of electrical energy, modeling systems, and industrial computing. Yitemgeta formerly served as the CTO for a significant 150 MW geothermal project in Ethiopia (TMGO - Merdiam SPV). He also held top management roles overseeing extensive projects such as transmission lines, substations, and solar works in Kenya, along with multifaceted consultancy in Ethiopia. A Mandela Washington Fellow and founder of Luminous Share Company, Yitemgeta’s diverse skills drive innovation in sustainable energy solutions.
Yitemgeta Golla
Vice President of Clean Energy & Sustainability
Mulugeta Tibebu
ESG Manager
Mulugeta is an ESG Manager at Zoscales Partners and supports the firm with Human Resource Management and Fund Administration. He has over 20 years of experience in strategic planning and market analysis of East African industries. Before joining Zoscales Partners, Mulugeta worked for Ethiopian Airlines as a Senior Manager, heading up market research. He was also responsible for conducting market research at Etihad Airways. He also worked as a freelance consultant for prominent Ethiopian firms, in areas of financial and business management advisory. Mulugeta holds an MBA in Finance from IGNOU (India) and a BSc in Accounting from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia).
Mulugeta Tibebu
ESG Manager
Haymanot Tilahun Dessie
Investment Associate
Haymanot’s main responsibilities include portfolio management, financial due diligence, financial modelling, and supporting the investment team. Prior to joining Zoscales, she interned as a trade data analyst under the Trade Promotion Sector in the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Ashoka University (India).
Haymanot Tilahun Dessie
Investment Associate
Samuel A. Kebede
Investment Analyst
Samuel focuses on portfolio management, financial due diligence, financial modelling, and supporting the investment team. Prior to Zoscales, Samuel worked as an Equity Research Analyst at BLK Management Corporation and as a Junior Analyst Intern at Pragma Investment Advisory. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Ashoka University (India).
Simon Lundby Pedersen
Investment Analyst
Isabel Steimel
Business Operations Manager
As Business Operations Manager, Isabel optimizes processes, drives strategic initiatives across the organization, and ensures operational efficiency between the Managing Partners, Senior Management, and key stakeholders. With over 15 years of experience in the finance industry, Isabel has supported C-level executives and board members. Before joining Zoscales, she worked closely with the COO at Deutsche Bank AG. She later transitioned to the COO Office at DWS Asset Management as a Business Manager, gaining valuable insights into operations and strategy. Isabel holds a Diploma in Event Management from the ISW Business School Freiburg, Germany.
Isabel Steimel
Business Operations Manager
Mercy Cherotich
Office Manager
Mercy is a seasoned administrative officer with over seven years of experience in various organizations. Prior to joining Zoscales, Mercy served in various capacities with the Kanad Systems Limited, Simba Corp LTD, and the Pan African Life Insurance. Her key competencies include coordination and organization of office administration and procedures, organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Mercy holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration from Catholic University and a Diploma in Administration from Kenya Institute of Management (KIM).
Mercy Cherotich
Office Manager
Samuel A. Kebede
Investment Analyst
Gerelynn Maliksi-Trisl
PA and Corporate Travel Manager
Gerelynn focuses on high-level administrative support for the Managing Partners and the team, ensuring a smooth company-wide meeting cascade. Additionally, she is a seasoned and dedicated travel organizer with excellent problem-solving skills for unexpected emergencies, ensuring safe and productive travel experiences. Before joining Zoscales Partners, Gerelynn had over 12 years of experience in the aviation travel trade industry as a reservation agent at Lufthansa Miles & More and Aviareps AG in Germany.
Gerelynn Maliksi-Trisl
PA and Corporate Travel Manager