Abler Nordic Statement on Appointment of Marlene Hormes as New CEO

Abler Nordic — a Norway-based financial inclusion investor with USD 470 million in committed capital and a longstanding presence in Sub-Saharan Africa — today announced the appointment of Marlene Hormes as its new Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth.

Since inception, Abler Nordic has invested over USD 78 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, with nearly USD 40 million currently deployed across financial institutions such as Juhudi Kilimo and Premier Credit Kenya, serving low-income households and small businesses.

From its Nairobi office, the local team works closely with portfolio companies across Sub-Saharan Africa to support sustainable growth and expand access to responsible financial services.

To date, more than 1.5 million households across Sub-Saharan Africa have benefited from these investments.

Backed by public–private capital and Norwegian government-supported foreign exchange facilities, Abler Nordic can provide local-currency financing that reduces risk and unlocks long-term investment in Sub-Saharan Africa’s financial sector.

Marlene brings over 25 years of international investment and leadership experience across private equity and debt investments, with a strong track record of scaling organizations, mobilising capital, and delivering measurable social impact alongside sustainable financial returns.

She has held investment and leadership roles at Goldman Sachs, DEG, and WaterEquity, and has worked extensively across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.