Sir Bob Geldof, a businessman, political activist, songwriter, musician, author, and former lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, sat down with John Authers of The Financial Times following the 69th CFA Institute Annual Conference to talk about Geldof’s journey from rock star to private equity investor. Amid the topics discussed: What’s the case for investing in Africa? Why aren’t more investors harnessing the continent’s prospects? What about concerns about corruption? And, where in Ethiopia is 8 Miles LLP, the London-based private-equity firm he chairs, finding investment opportunities?

The Take 15 Series is a series of short interviews with leading practitioners on timely topics focused on the investment profession.