Omidyar Network Appoints Fal Managing Director, Africa

REDWOOD CITY, California, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Omidyar Network today announced that Malik Fal has joined the philanthropic investment firm as managing director for Africa. Based in Johannesburg, Fal will lead efforts to increase investments on the continent, as well as to partner more closely with the organization's Africa-based investees. Omidyar Network Managing Partner Matt Bannick made the announcement at the annual ON Executive Forum in Redwood City.

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"Omidyar Network is committed to identifying, supporting and scaling the catalytic work of entrepreneurs across our investment initiatives in Africa," said Bannick. "Malik brings tremendous expertise and insight to the position, and he will be instrumental in expanding our work in Africa. His keen intellect, belief in entrepreneurism and passion for innovation will be invaluable to our investees and to our leadership team."

Fal most recently was managing director of Endeavor South Africa where he led the rollout of 'Excelerator,' an initiative to expand the diversity of high-impact South African entrepreneurs accepted into Endeavor. Prior to Endeavor, Malik held leadership roles at Microsoft and PepsiCo, and served as a Monitor Group consultant to the World Bank, the Bermudan tourism industry and the Rwandan presidency. Born in Cote d'Ivoire, Fal holds a master's degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

ABOUT OMIDYAR NETWORK

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. Established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam, the organization invests in and helps scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic and social change. To date, Omidyar Network has committed more than $500 million to for-profit companies and non-profit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple investment areas, including financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, property rights, consumer internet, mobile and government transparency. To learn more, visit www.omidyar.com.