AVCA Conference

Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill
Monday, 27 - Thursday, 30 April 2026

15

Days

15

Hrs

:

 

56

Mins

Formats

Private Capital Conference

Registration 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

9:25 am - 9:45 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Abi Mustapha-Maduakor Chief Executive Officer, AVCA – The African Private Capital Association

Danladi Verheijen Managing Partner, Verod

9:45 am - 10:05 am

Global Geopolitics & Macro Presentation 

10:05 am - 10:10 am

Morning Chair Introduction

10:10 am - 10:30 am

Keynote Address 

10:30 am - 10:50 am

Network, Network, Network!

10:50 am - 11:35 am

Panel 1: Global Disruption, Local Advantage: Africa in the New Capital Order   

Global capital is being reshuffled. Geopolitics, trade realignment, and persistent macro uncertainty are forcing LPs to rethink where risk is priced, where liquidity sits, and which markets still justify long-term capital. This opening panel examines how these trends are recalibrating private capital allocation to Africa. Panellists will debate how LP expectations around governance, exits, and fund structures are shifting, where African managers are gaining ground, and where they remain exposed. The session sets the tone for the conference by examining how African private capital can compete and differentiate in a reconfigured global investment landscape. 

Leslie Maasdorp Chief Executive Officer, British International Investment

Joris Totté Chief Executive Officer, Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries

11:35 am - 12:20 pm

Panel 2: Private Capital Opportunities in East Africa  

East Africa is emerging as one of the continent’s most compelling regions for private capital; supported by increased deal flow, an expanding pipeline of investable assets, and a deepening ecosystem. This panel brings together GPs and LPs to examine where capital is being deployed across East Africa and why, as well as which investment strategies are delivering results. Panellists will share insights on sourcing, execution, and scaling investments, as well as how portfolios are being positioned to capture long-term value in this dynamic region. 

George Odo Managing Director, Africinvest

David Owino Founder and Managing Partner, Ascent Capital Advisory Services

Njeri Wagacha Partner, Corporate and Commercial; Co-Head Industrials, Trade and Manufacturing, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr incorporating Kieti Law LLP

12:20 pm - 1:00 pm

Panel 3: From Frontier to Forefront: Are Frontier Markets Ready for Take-Off? 

As competition intensifies in Africa’s more established markets, investor attention is shifting toward the frontiers in search of diversification and growth. This panel examines which frontier markets are attracting private capital, the theses underpinning investment returns, and how scale is achieved in lower-density markets. Panellists will debate whether the fundamentals — deal pipelines, governance, exit pathways, and market depth — are sufficiently developed to support sustained capital inflows. The discussion focuses on what must change for frontier markets to move from promise to performance.

Barthout van Slingelandt Managing Partner, XSML Capital

Catherine Cax Managing Director, Investments, Soros Economic Development Fund / Open Society Foundations

Rui Oliveira Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer, BFA Asset Management

Camilia Benani Corporate Partner, DLA PiperModerator

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking Lunch

2:00 pm - 2:05 pm

Afternoon Chair Introduction

2:05 pm - 2:20 pm

Breaking the Mold: Uncharted Routes to Success 

2:20 pm - 3:05 pm

Panel 4: The Long View: How Capital Allocators See Africa’s Private Capital Future 

In a period of constrained liquidity and heightened risk sensitivity, allocators are reassessing how Africa fits within global private capital portfolios. This panel convenes leading LPs to provide a candid assessment of African private capital performance relative to other emerging markets. Panellists will discuss where strategies have delivered, where expectations have fallen short, and how underwriting standards are evolving. The session looks ahead to the structural, partnership, and market-infrastructure shifts LPs believe are necessary to support the next phase of African private capital growth. 

Dirk Werner Managing Director, Equity, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Isabelle Bébéar Director, International and European Affairs, Bpifrance

Philipp Hein Director - Head, Private Equity Africa and Global Climate Investments, DEG

Nigel Wellings Partner, Private Capital and Co-Head, European Corporate Practice, Clifford ChanceModerator

3:05 pm - 3:50 pm

Panel 5: From Pitch to Close: Rethinking Capital Mobilisation 

Fundraising has become more selective, more complex, and more competitive. This GP-led panel examines how African-focused fund managers are adapting their capital-raising strategies in a tighter global environment. Panellists will discuss how they are engaging non-traditional capital sources, structuring funds to align with LP risk appetite, and building anchor relationships that support fundraising momentum. The discussion moves beyond fundraising volume to focus on durability — what capital mobilisation strategies are proving repeatable, resilient, and fit for the next market cycle. 

Chris Chijutomi Managing Director and Head, Africa, British International Investment

Farid Fezoua Director - Equity, Funds and Venture Capital, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Joanne Yoo Partner , Development Partners International

Sérgio Pimenta Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, Africa50

Aliya Farah Shariff Senior Director, Mastercard FoundationModerator

3:50 pm - 4:10 pm

Network, Network, Network!

4:10 pm - 4:25 pm

Breaking the Mold: Uncharted Routes to Success 

4:25 pm - 5:00 pm

Panel 6: Liquidity, Reimagined 

 Liquidity remains one of the most persistent challenges facing African private capital. Longer holding periods, limited strategic buyers, and shallow public markets are forcing investors to rethink how capital is realised and recycled. This panel examines the liquidity tools gaining traction in practice, including secondaries, continuation vehicles, and consolidation-led exit strategies. Panellists will debate trade-offs, execution risks, and what “successful exits” realistically look like in today’s market. The focus is not aspiration, but how liquidity is being created under real constraints. 

Steve Olisaemeka Iwenjora Partner , African Capital Alliance

Stéphane Bacquaert Managing Partner, Adenia

Richard Okello Co-Founder and Partner, Sango Capital

Wale Odusanya Partner, Investment Team, Verod Capital Management

5:00 pm - 5:05 pm

Closing Remarks

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Pre-Gala Dinner Reception

7:30 pm - onwards

Gala Dinner

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Explore the Full Private Capital Programme

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Details on Professional Development Programmes during the AVCA Week coming soon!

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