Veteran global investor Mark Mobius, widely regarded as a pioneer in emerging markets investing, has passed away at the age of 89.

Mobius played a significant role in directing global investor attention towards frontier and emerging economies, including markets such as Sri Lanka, at a time when they were largely overlooked.

He spent more than three decades at Franklin Templeton, where he launched one of the industry’s earliest emerging market-focused funds. Under his leadership, the Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust grew substantially, reflecting rising global interest in developing economies.

Known for his hands-on investment approach, Mobius travelled extensively across Asia, Africa and other regions to identify undervalued opportunities, a strategy that helped shape investor perspectives on markets like Sri Lanka.

Following his departure from Franklin Templeton in 2018, he co-founded Mobius Capital Partners, continuing his focus on emerging and frontier markets.

Industry leaders credit Mobius with transforming how investors view risk and opportunity in developing economies, with his legacy expected to influence generations of global investors.