AVCA Conference

28 April – 2 May 2025
Lagos Continental Hotel

Formats

PE Conference

Registration 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

9:20 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 - 10:10 am

Macro Trends, Micro Impacts: The Global Ripple Effect on Private Capital

The Global Ripple Effect on Private Capital Global economic shifts are reshaping private capital markets, with geopolitical developments, financial market volatility, and evolving regulations influencing every stage of the investment lifecycle, from fundraising to deal-making and portfolio management. As the opening session of the conference, this data-driven fireside interview explores the interplay between macro trends and micro impacts, examining how global economic shifts translate into localised investment dynamics. Investors will gain practical insights on how to navigate uncertainty, mitigate risks, and capitalise on emerging opportunities, ensuring agility in an evolving global financial landscape.

Charles Robertson Chief Economic Advisor to Group Chief Executive Officer, Equity Group Holdings

10:10 am - 10:15 am

Morning Chair Introduction

Folake Elias-Adebowale Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

10:15 am - 11:15 am

Panel 1: Against the Current – The Realities of Private Capital in Africa

Setting the stage for the conference, this panel begins with a conversation on the current state of the market, discussing how global macroeconomic forces such as inflation, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical shifts are shaping private capital flows across Africa. Panellists will discuss the nuances of investing in Africa, comparing its private capital industry to other emerging markets and highlighting the region’s competitive advantages. This discussion will uncover bright spots and emerging opportunities and offer strategic insights to fund managers for navigating today’s complex environment.

Andrew Brown Chief Investment Officer: Equity and Funds, British International Investment

'Tokunboh Ishmael Co-Founder and Managing Director, Alitheia Capital

Djalal Khimdjee Deputy Chief Executive Officer, PROPARCO

Tope Lawani Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Helios Investment Partners

Ann Wyman Senior Partner, AfricInvest

Danny Mutisya Partner, Co-Head of East and Southern Africa Regional Group, Clifford ChanceModerator

11:15 am - 11:45 am

Network, Network, Network!

11:45 am - 12:30 pm

Panel 2: Bold Moves: Redefining Fund Structures and LP Relations

In today’s investment climate, private equity fund structures are increasingly evolving to meet changing market conditions and challenging investor demands. This panel challenges the conventional GP-LP model adopted by fund managers in Africa and explores the question – does the US private equity model work for Africa? Panellists will discuss the transformative potential of innovative, alternative fund structures and explore their suitability to address the diverse needs of the continent while driving alignment between investors and fund managers. With insights from successful case studies, this session will spark a creative dialogue about reshaping private capital practices in Africa to drive sustainable industry growth.

Rachel Moré-Oshodi Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited

Luc Rigouzzo Managing Partner, Amethis

Danladi Verheijen Managing Partner, Verod

Nicholas Vickery Global Head, Private Equity Funds, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Ashvin Deena Head, Global and International Corporates, Mauritius Commercial BankModerator

12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

Panel 3: The Secondaries Surge: Liquidity & Portfolio Optimisation

The Secondaries Surge: Liquidity & Portfolio Optimisation For funds nearing their end life, the secondaries market is increasingly becoming a popular mechanism for achieving liquidity for investors while enabling fund managers to retain high performing assets. Over time, the secondaries market has evolved, offering attractive products from continuation funds and single asset secondaries to LP Stake and Portfolio Sales. This panel explores the growing role of GP and LP-led secondary transactions in Africa, exploring how these strategies can unlock liquidity, drive portfolio optimization, and support market consolidation. Drawing from experience, panellists will share insights on structuring successful secondary deals and discuss the challenges associated with these transactions.

Nnennia Ejebe Partner, Adenia Partners

Stéphane Heuzé Managing Partner, SPE Capital

David Moore Director, Private Equity Partnerships, Blue Earth Capital

Christian Roelofse Investment Director, Sango Capital

Marc Lasserre Managing Partner, S.O. Capital AdviceModerator

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking Lunch

2:00 pm - 2:05 pm

Afternoon Chair Introduction

Shamima Mallam-Hassam Managing Director, Trident Trust Company (Mauritius)

2:05 pm - 2:30 pm

Titans of Industry: Bold Moves by Wale Adeosun

Wale Adeosun Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kuramo Capital Management

Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, EnergyInc AdvisorsInterviewer

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

Panel 4: Partnerships for Progress: Blended Finance

This panel brings together diverse pool of capital providers, from DFIs and philanthropic funds to commercial investors to explore the critical need to blend Africa’s capital stack. Panellists will discuss the need to diversify the sources of capital, the role of blended finance in mitigating risks and driving optimal returns for investors and their roles in crafting innovative financing structures. Panellists will discuss an ideal blended finance structure for Africa, share insights on designing blended finance products (including the use of first-loss tranches); and share strategies for mobilizing capital from varied sources.

Isabelle Bébéar Director, Head of International and European Affairs, Bpifrance

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

Tosin Ojo Partner, Sahel Capital

Rui Oliveira Chief Executive Officer, BFA Asset Management

Martijn Woudstra Senior Investment Officer, FMOModerator

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm

Network, Network, Network!

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm

Panel 5: Think Local, Grow Local

While the pool of capital allocators in Africa has grown over the years, local capital remains an untapped resource with significant potential to unlock liquidity in Africa. This panel explores how the industry can mitigate exchange rate risks, enhance market resilience and bridge the funding gap by tapping into local currency. Discussions will revolve around opportunities best suited to local currency financing in Africa and the nuances of local currency financing structures. Drawing from their experiences raising local currency funds, panellists will examine the pool of local LPs driving these initiatives and explore strategies to expand local capital participation in African private equity.

Josphat Muriuki Chief Executive Officer and Trust Secretary, KenGen Staff Retirement Scheme

Samantha Pokroy Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sanari Capital

Labi Williiams Partner and Managing Director, Kuramo Capital Management

David Tetteh Senior Consultant, Ghana Investment Support ProgrammeModerator

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Panel 6: Family Fortunes Powering 10x in Africa

Continuing the discussion on widening the capital stack, this panel discusses the growing strategic role of family offices, both as allocators and direct investors in Africa’s private capital ecosystem. With their growing shift towards alternative assets, Family Offices are emerging as a critical source of funding in Africa. Panellists will share insights into attracting Family Office capital and explore how Family Offices are deploying capital strategically to catalyse impactful investments, foster innovation and create long-term value across the continent.

Kayode Akindele Senior Adviser, Investments, TenGen Family Office

Simon Foster Chief Executive Officer, TY Danjuma Family Office

Sandrine Henton Managing Director, EG Capital

Annette Selmeier Managing Director, Selmeier Family Office

Mosun Layode Executive Director, African Philanthropy ForumModerator

5:00 pm - 5:05 pm

Closing Remarks

Rhoda Mhango Head of Strategic Initiatives & Stakeholder Engagement, AVCA – The African Private Capital Association

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Pre-Gala Dinner Reception

2nd Floor Foyer, Lagos Continental Hotel

7:30 pm - onwards

Gala Dinner

Grand African Ballroom, 3rd Floor, Lagos Continental Hotel | Dress code: Traditional Attire or Black Tie

*The AVCA Conference is complimentary for qualified Limited Partners (LPs), classified as non-retail investors in private equity funds, limited to 3 complimentary passes per organisation. This includes full-time employees of development finance institutions (DFIs), endowments, single-family offices, insurance companies, public and private pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds.