Welcome to Asia Frontier Capital
Asia Frontier Capital Ltd. is a pioneering fund management company based in Hong Kong that specializes in investing in high-growth Asian frontier economies by managing the AFC Asia Frontier Fund, AFC Iraq Fund, AFC Uzbekistan Fund, and the AFC Vietnam Fund.
Click below to take a look at an interview covering the AFC Asia Frontier Fund in detail. The interview with Ruchir Desai, co-investment manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund, and Alvin Fan, CEO of OPIM, covers insights on investing in often-overlooked markets like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Central Asia, and more. From demographic-driven growth to supply chain shifts and financial innovation, Desai explains why these economies are at an inflection point. We explore how macro risks are managed, why digital banking and fintech are thriving, and how investors can capitalize on this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
The AFC Asia Frontier Fund invests in public equities of Asian frontier countries that are seeing increasing consumption due to favorable demographic trends, rising incomes, and high GDP growth. The fund invests in listed equities of companies that have their principal business activities in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
The AFC Asia Frontier Fund is positioned to take advantage of the continuing economic shifts in these countries and offers high returns combined with significant diversification opportunities. This fund is directed by the founder and CEO of Asia Frontier Capital, Thomas Hugger, who has been investing in frontier markets across Asia and Africa for more than 20 years. The AFC Asia Frontier Fund is also co-managed by Ruchir Desai, who has been with Asia Frontier Capital since July 2013.

The AFC Iraq Fund was launched on the 26th June 2015 and aims to achieve long-term capital appreciation for investors by capturing value and growth potential in the post conflict high-growth & resource rich Iraq market.
Click below to watch the virtual video pitchbook for the AFC Iraq Fund.
The AFC Iraq Fund emphasises a long-term investment horizon to truly capture the opportunity in Iraq. The fund's investable universe consists of locally listed companies that have their principal business activities in Iraq, as well as foreign listed companies that have the majority of their business in Iraq as a whole, including the prosperous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The AFC Iraq Fund offers access to investments in the post-conflict recovery potential of Iraq, including the KRI, and/or stability in its territory. The AFC Iraq Fund is managed by Asia Frontier Capital (Iraq) Limited, Cayman Islands under the executive leadership team of Thomas Hugger (CEO & Fund Manager) and Ahmed Tabaqchali (Chief Strategist) who have more than 47 years of investment experience as well as an extensive background covering global, emerging, frontier and MENA markets.
The AFC Uzbekistan Fund was launched on 29th March 2019 and aims to achieve long-term capital appreciation for investors by capturing the value and growth potential in the recently liberalized economy of Uzbekistan.
Click below to watch the virtual video pitchbook for the AFC Uzbekistan Fund with the executive leadership team of Thomas Hugger and Scott Osheroff.
As the government of Uzbekistan pursues an ambitious privatization reform of all non-core assets and enterprises, it is anticipated that there will be a marked increase in secondary and primary listings on the Tashkent Stock Exchange, helping it to rebound from a near decade of dormancy, which resulted in the significant undervaluation of listed companies today. The AFC Uzbekistan Fund is therefore designed to offer investors high returns from growth in the equities market of Uzbekistan whilst offering a portfolio that has a low correlation with global equity markets, with an investable universe consisting of listed companies that have their principal business activities in Uzbekistan as well as foreign listed companies that have the majority of their business in countries bordering Uzbekistan.
The AFC Vietnam Fund invests exclusively in undervalued listed Vietnamese equities with a focus on small to medium size companies. This market segment offers a unique investment opportunity as the valuation gap between large- and small-cap stocks in Vietnam is significant and offers an attractive investment opportunity. The stock selection process is driven by a fundamental approach, to which the team applies a quantitative overlay in a controlled manner. The core investment process does not target any particular style bias and aims to outperform in most market environments. In conjunction with targeting the maximum upside potential, the portfolio has been structured to mitigate corporate governance and liquidity risks. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of around 40 attractively valued companies to carefully control concentration risk. This approach allows the fund to sell, or buy, positions without having a significant market impact. The fund is managed by Vicente Nguyen, a seasoned investment professional with over 10 years of experience in this field.

For more information about the fund, management team and investment strategy, please contact us at
Newsletter
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Our Latest Newsletter
Our Latest Travel Report
Our Latest Special Editions
- AFC Asia Frontier Fund is in a Sweet Spot for 2026 - 2025 Review and Outlook for 2026
- AFC Quarterly Update Webinar Presentation Slides - Tuesday, 12th May 2026
- AFC Quarterly Update Webinar Presentation Slides - Thursday, 22nd January 2026
Our Latest Webinars
- AFC Quarterly Update Webinar on Tuesday, 12th May 2026
- AFC Quarterly Update Webinar on Thursday, 22nd January 2026
Latest News
- 16-05-2026 John Polomny's Podcast: Uzbekistan National Investment Fund is live! Scott Osheroff interview and discussion.
- 13-05-2026 Nikkei Asia - Uzbek IPO oversubscribed, as investors jump at privatization play
- 12-05-2026 Asian Frontier Markets Update Webinar
- 06-05-2026 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Market Continues to Rally, Boosted by Humongous Dividends
- 06-05-2026 Financial Post - State Fund IPO Opens Door to Buy Into Uzbekistan's Growth Story
- 04-05-2026 Asian Century Stocks - Interview: Ruchir Desai From Asia Frontier Capital
- 28-04-2026 The Daily Star - Regular earnings calls could boost foreign investor confidence
- 27-04-2026 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discuss the Impact of the Middle East Conflict on Asian Frontier Markets with Megha Chaddah
- 21-04-2026 Opalesque Small Managers-BIG ALPHA Webinar with Ruchir Desai introducing the AFC Asia Frontier Fund
- 17-04-2026 Peter Lewis’ Money Talk: Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses Why He is Positive on Bangladesh, Oman, and Uzbekistan (from 36'30")
- 08-04-2026 Bloomberg - Vietnam Stocks Rally After FTSE Upgrade Nod, US-Iran Ceasefire
- 06-04-2026 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Iraqi Stocks Reach All-Time Highs as War Rages
- 30-03-2026 Kursiv Media - Scott Osheroff: New Reform Could Make Uzbekistan Central Asia’s Largest Capital Market by 2030
- 30-03-2026 London South East - EMERGING MARKETS-Stocks, currencies stumble as Middle East tensions keep markets on edge
- 25-03-2026 Emerging Markets Unlocked: Investing in Iraq and Mongolia. Would you? Meet Thomas Hugger.
- 17-03-2026 Bloomberg - Pakistan’s Markets Face Selloff From Surging Oil, Conflict
- 11-03-2026 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses with Steven Filby on Why He Remains Positive on the Outlook Despite the Conflict in the Middle East
- 05-03-2026 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: "Markets Discount a Near-Term End to the War"
- 13-02-2026 Bloomberg - Once-Exiled Scion Set to Lead Bangladesh After BNP Win
- 08-02-2026 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Equity Market Discounts Regional Tensions
- 28-01-2026 LesEchos (in French) - Concentration du pouvoir au Vietnam au nom de 10 % de croissance
- 12-01-2026 Front Row: Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses the Outlook for Sri Lanka with Shiran Fernando
- 12-01-2026 Daily Mirror Online - AFC Asia Frontier Fund increases Sri Lanka weight to 13.6% in 2025
- 02-01-2026 Undervalued Shares: Bangladesh – a surprise outperformer in 2026?
- 01-01-2026 The Financial Express - Market likely to rebound in 2026 with clouds clearing over politics, economy
- 25-12-2025 The Financial Express - AFC forecasts turnaround for Bangladesh capital market next year
- 18-12-2025 Peter Lewis’ Money Talk: Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses the Strong 2025 Performance and Outlook for 2026 (from 35'45")
- 17-12-2025 RTHK Money Talk - Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Speaks with Steven Filby and Gives an Overview of Performance in 2025 and Why He is Positive on the 2026 Outlook
- 07-12-2025 Bloomberg - Investors Stay Bullish on Frontier Markets After Banner Year
- 05-12-2025 Daily FT - Foreign fund says Sri Lanka now one of its top picks
- 02-12-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Election Kerfuffle, What Kerfuffle !!!
- 01-12-2025 "Majlis & Markets" podcast titled "Iraq’s Economy Progress or Pressure" with Ahmed Tabaqchali, Chief Strategist of the AFC Iraq Fund
- 01-12-2025 Asharq News: Ahmed Tabaqchali, Chief Strategist of the AFC Iraq Fund speaks about the Iraqi banking sector: a weak link or a starting point? (in arabic)
- 28-10-2025 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses with Steven Filby Why Asian Frontier Markets are in a Sweet Spot Going into 2026
- 25-10-2025 The Straits Times: Traders guide to what to expect ahead of Trump’s Asia trip and Xi meeting
- 21-10-2025 Bloomberg - Vietnam’s Market Selloff Offers Buying Opportunity: Street Wrap Say
- 20-10-2025 Ada Derana Business - Capital Markets as a Catalyst for Growth at SLEIS 2025
- 09-10-2025 Matein’s Substack - Vietnam has migrated from frontier to emerging markets. Mabrouk!
- 08-10-2025 Bloomberg - Vietnam Sets Sights on MSCI After Clinching FTSE Russell Upgrade
- 08-10-2025 Bloomberg - Vietnam Markets Still Need Reform After EM Upgrade, Analysts Say
- 08-10-2025 Bloomberg - Vietnam Large-Cap Stocks to See Interest From FTSE Upgrade: AFC
- 08-10-2025 Financial Times - Vietnam upgraded to emerging market status by FTSE Russell
- 06-10-2025 Travel And Tour World - Iraq’s Tourism Industry Booms to $5.7 Billion
- 04-10-2025 MENAFN - Tabaqchali: Trading Volumes Support Market's Uptrend
- 03-10-2025 Vietnamese Stock Market: When will the Vietnam stock market be upgraded to emerging market status? – a chat with Ruchir Desai from Asia Frontier Capital
- 19-09-2025 Daily FT - Sri Lanka now in growth phase, says AFC
- 19-09-2025 Nikkei Asia - Sri Lanka's leftist leader ditches dogma for economic pragmatism
- 16-09-2025 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses with Steven Filby the Continued Strong Outperformance by Asian Frontier Markets in 2025
- 16-09-2025 International Banker – Sri Lanka: From Stability to Growth – by Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund
- 12-09-2025 MoneyWeek - Should you invest in Pakistan – the Vietnam of South Asia?
- 09-09-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: A tour of Ur, the Marshes, and Al-Qurna
- 24-08-2025 The Business Standard: Clearer policies, macroeconomic stability boost foreign investor outlook: Ruchir Desai
- 19-08-2025 Daily FT - Asia Frontier Capital raised Sri Lanka exposure as growth, stability took hold
- 19-08-2025 The Island Online - Invest Sri Lanka Forum draws strong investor interest in Singapore
- 07-08-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: A Tour of Baghdad, Babylon, and Ctesiphon
- 28-07-2025 Daily Mirror Online - AFC Asia Frontier Fund touts Sri Lanka as top pick for next 5 years
- 25-07-2025 Bloomberg - Pakistan Stocks Gain, Dollar Bonds Extend Rally as S&P Upgrades
- 25-07-2025 Bloomberg - Vietnamese Stocks Reach Record High on Inflows, Trade Optimism
- 24-07-2025 Asian Frontier Markets Update Webinar
- 22-07-2025 The Financial Express - Investor interest in blue-chip stocks lifts turnover to 10-month peak
- 21-07-2025 Daily Mirror Online - Sri Lanka shines as top performer in AFC’s Asian Frontier Fund
- 14-07-2025 The Morning - SL still a top bet despite US tariff
- 11-07-2025 Bloomberg - Sri Lanka Still a Top Pick Despite Tariff News: Asia Frontier
- 07-07-2025 Matein's Substack - Sri Lankan equities are an Asian frontier market money gusher!
- 03-07-2025 Bloomberg - Vietnam-US Tariff Deal as Expected But Details Lacking: Analysts
- 26-06-2025 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses the Outlook on Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan with Megha Chaddah
- 23-06-2025 Daily FT - HK-based fund manager triples weight on Lankan equities
- 16-06-2025 Daily FT - Sri Lanka’s recovery hinges on reform, not just stability: Bankers
- 11-06-2025 Bloomberg - Pakistan’s Market-Friendly Budget May Attract Foreign Flows: AFC
- 09-06-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Humongous Dividends Boost the Iraqi Market
- 23-05-2025 AFC Asia Frontier Fund Wins the Emerging Market Equity Award at the AsianInvestor Asset Management Awards 2025
- 08-05-2025 Asian Frontier Markets Update Webinar
- 08-05-2025 Peter Lewis’ Money Talk: Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses Geopolitical Tensions in South Asia and the Impact of U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs on Asian Frontier Markets (from 35’15”)
- 07-05-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Market at an All-time High, Oil Prices Crashing, What Gives?
- 01-05-2025 Geo News: Pakistan markets tumble amid war fears, set for worst month since 2023: report
- 23-04-2025 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses the Impact of U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs on Asian Frontier Markets with Nitin Dialdas
- 10-04-2025 Asia Business Outlook: Vietnam, US to Begin Trade Talks Following 46% Tariff Suspension
- 10-04-2025 Bloomberg: Vietnam, US to Start Trade Deal Talks After 46% Tariff Pause
- 07-04-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Tariffs, Oil Prices, and the Budget
- 04-04-2025 Nikkei Asia: Vietnam trumps DOGE with 'urgent' state restructuring
- 03-04-2025 Bloomberg TV: Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund Discusses the Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Asian Frontier Markets (From 01:04)
- 03-04-2025 The Straits Times: Vietnam charm offensive fails to stave off 46% Trump tariff
- 07-03-2025 Alpha Uncovered: The Frontier Boom You Didn’t See Coming ft. Ruchir Desai, AFC - interview with Alvin Fan, CEO of OPIM
- 07-03-2025 RTHK Money Talk – Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund discusses with James Ross why South Asian and Central Asian Frontier Markets Offer Good Diversification in a Volatile Market Environment
- 06-03-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Banks End a Second Year with a Bang
- 09-02-2025 The Financial Express: Stable policies to lure foreign investors to present market
- 08-02-2025 The Business Standard: Asia Frontier Capital sees green shoots in Bangladesh stock market, said its fund manager
- 08-02-2025 The Worst is Over - Ruchir Desai, Co-Fund Manager of the AFC Asia Frontier Fund discusses the Outlook for Bangladesh with The Business Standard in Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 07-02-2025 Iraq Business News - Tabaqchali: Trading Volumes Support Market's Uptrend
- 01-02-2025 Daily Mirror Online: SL poised to lead corporate earnings growth among Asian frontier markets in 2025
- 23-01-2025 Asian Frontier Markets Update Webinar
- 20-01-2025 The Business Times: Vietnam plans tax breaks, fee cuts to lure overseas investors
- 08-01-2025 Iraq Business News - Iraqi Stocks: What Next After Two Gangbuster Years?
Asia Frontier Investments Limited, a subsidiary of Asia Frontier Capital Ltd., is licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission "SFC" for Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and for Type 9 (Asset Management)
* By accessing information contained herein, users are deemed to be representing and warranting that they are either a Hong Kong Professional Investor or are observing the applicable laws and regulations of their relevant jurisdictions.
** The AFC Asia Frontier Fund is registered for sale to investors in Japan, Switzerland (qualified investors), Hong Kong & UK (professional investors), Singapore (accredited investors) and USA (accredited investors and qualified purchasers). The AFC Iraq Fund is registered for sale to investors in Switzerland (qualified investors), Hong Kong & UK (professional investors), Singapore (accredited investors), and USA (accredited investors and qualified purchasers). The AFC Uzbekistan Fund is registered for sale to investors in Switzerland (qualified investors), Hong Kong & UK (professional investors), and Singapore (accredited investors). The AFC Vietnam Fund is registered for sale to investors in Japan, Switzerland (qualified investors), Hong Kong & UK (professional investors), and Singapore (accredited investors).
*** For Switzerland only: This is an advertising document. The state of the origin of the fund is the Cayman Islands. This document may only be provided to qualified investors within the meaning of art. 10 para. 3 and 3ter CISA. In Switzerland, the representative is Acolin Fund Services AG, Maintower, Thurgauerstrasse 36/38, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland, whilst the paying agent is NPB Neue Privat Bank AG, Limmatquai 1 / am Bellevue, 8024 Zurich, Switzerland. The basic documents of the fund report may be obtained free of charge from the representative. Past performance is no indication of current or future performance. The performance data do not take account of the commissions, if any, and fund transfer costs incurred on the issue and redemption of units.




























