“Backing technology founders in the MENA region who are building a more prosperous, healthy, and sustainable world across learning, wellbeing, and climate.”
Anara Impact Capital is an Amsterdam-based impact VC spun out of Alfanar Venture Philanthropy (a UK-based organisation with 20+ years of experience supporting social enterprises across the Arab world), launched in 2026 with a $48 million first close against a $50 million target. The fund is led by three Managing Partners: Nafez Dakkak, Mohamed Hussain, and Nadia Moukaddam, with Fadi Ghandour (founder of Aramex and Wamda Capital) chairing the Investment Committee.
The LP base reflects serious institutional backing: KfW Development Bank (acting on behalf of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Commission), Dara Holdings, Jordan's Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF), and regional family offices and high-net-worth individuals. The fund is part of a broader €80 million Social Entrepreneurship Fund that includes a debt facility component, and holds Article 8 classification under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. Anara invests $500K to $5 million through equity, debt, or hybrid structures into seed and Series A companies across three themes: learning (education, skills, employability), wellbeing (financial, mental, and physical health solutions), and climate (adaptation and mitigation). The fund's MENA focus includes North African markets (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia) alongside the broader region and its global diaspora.
| Name | Role | X/Twitter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nafez Dakkak | Managing Partner | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Mohamed Hussain | Managing Partner | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Nadia Moukaddam | Managing Partner | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Fadi Ghandour | Investment Committee Chair | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |