Jamie Allsopp joined London-based Insparo Asset Management in November 2009, bringing nearly a decade of first-hand experience of African markets to his role, which combines investment research and allocation with marketing the firm’s Africa and Middle East fund in Insparo’s target regions.

Jamie was previously with New Star Asset Management for eight years. During his tenure, Jamie rose from equity analyst to portfolio manager for two of New Star´s high profile funds. In 2007, Jamie launched the New Star Heart of Africa Fund, which invested in Sub Saharan equities.

While many of the investors are focused on emerging markets, some brave and sophisticated investors are looking beyond the horizon and venturing into frontier markets. Some examples of frontier markets are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, Colombia, Vietnam, and more.

The prevailing low interest rates in many countries around the world and the rising demand for commodities are two of the reasons that are advantageous to frontier markets. For example, rising crude oil and natural gas prices are benefiting Kazakhstan. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Nigeria, Oman and Kuwait are profiting from higher crude oil prices.