AVCA Conference

28 April – 2 May 2025
Lagos Continental Hotel

6

Days

11

Hrs

:

 

34

Mins

Formats

PE Conference

Registration 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

8:45 am - 10:15 am

Achieving Gender Balance in Private Capital Roundtable - In partnership with Visa Foundation and 2X Global

10:30 am - 10:35 am

Opening Remarks

Ann Wyman Senior Partner, AfricInvest

10:35 am - 10:55 am

Keynote Address

Dr Jumoke Oduwole MFR Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment

10:55 am - 11:00 am

Morning Chair Introduction

Solomon Wifa Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher

11:00 am - 11:20 am

Titans of Industry: Bold Moves by Okey Enelamah

Okechukwu Enelamah Chairman, African Capital Alliance

Alison Klein Managing Director, AkmazoModerator

11:20 am - 12:00 pm

Panel 7: Scaling Up: Fundraising Beyond Fund I

Securing a first fund is an achievement—raising the second is a whole new challenge. As fund managers transition beyond Fund I, they must prove their investment thesis, secure LP re-ups, and expand their investor base while demonstrating a strong track record. This panel brings together experienced fund managers who have successfully scaled their firms, along with LPs who have backed emerging managers through multiple fundraising cycles. Panellists will discuss the strategic pivots required for a second fund, the evolving expectations of LPs, and the keys to building a sustainable investment platform in Africa’s private capital landscape.

Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aruwa Capital Management

Jean-Marc Savi de Tové Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Adiwale Partners

David Damiba Managing Partner and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Kasada Capital Management

12:00 pm - 12:50 pm

Panel 8: The Exit is this Way

The road to a successful exit isn’t always clearly marked, but private capital investors in Africa are finding new ways to reach their destination. This panel takes a deep dive into the current exit landscape, examining the viability of IPOs, trade sales, secondary sales, and strategic buyouts as pathways to liquidity. With investor appetite evolving and exit routes shifting, how are fund managers and portfolio companies adapting? Panellists will discuss the “timing tensions” that influence exit decisions, strategies for navigating complex regulatory and market conditions, and innovative approaches to maximising value creation. Whether planning for a full exit or partial divestment, this session provides actionable insights on structuring deals, optimising timing, and ensuring portfolio companies are primed for success.

Albert Alsina Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mediterrania Capital Partners

Temi Popoola Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Group

Chumani Kula Co-Head, Old Mutual Private Equity, Old Mutual Alternative Investments

Joanne Yoo Partner, Development Partners International

Steve Olisaemeka Iwenjora Partner , African Capital Alliance

Katie Hill Partner and Associate Director, Boston Consulting GroupModerator

12:50 pm - 1:30 pm

Networking Lunch

1:30 pm - 1:35 pm

Afternoon Chair Introduction

Anu Balogun Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi

1:35 pm - 2:05 pm

Panel 9: From Backstop to Backbone: Supercharging Homegrown Capital in Africa

As global capital flows become more uncertain, Africa’s local institutional investors—pension funds, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds—have the potential to move from supplementary to central players in private markets. This panel explores their evolving allocation strategies, overall appetite for private capital, and how fund managers can better align their approaches to attract local LPs. How do these investors balance fiduciary duty with a growing ambition to drive economic development? What hurdles remain, and what shifts could unlock even greater participation? This discussion will examine the necessary steps to establish homegrown capital as the backbone of private capital in Africa.

Dave Uduanu Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access ARM Pensions

Lebogang Mokgabudi Independent Specialist Trustee, Government Employees Pension Fund

Oguche Agudah Chief Executive Officer , Pension Fund Operators Association of NigeriaModerator

2:05 pm - 2:45 pm

Panel 10: Mind the Gap: Bold Solutions to Close Africa’s Infrastructure Deficit

With public funding falling well short of the estimated US$130–US$170 billion required annually for infrastructure development in Africa, alternative financing solutions are critical. This panel explores bold, investor-led approaches—from blended finance models to public-private partnerships—that have the potential to reshape the landscape. Panellists will discuss how to mitigate risks in infrastructure deals, mobilise both local and international capital, and generate long-term value in sectors such as Energy, Transportation, and Digital Infrastructure. As Africa’s infrastructure needs intensify, this session offers actionable insights for investors looking to drive large-scale, high-impact projects and play a pivotal role in closing Africa’s infrastructure gap.

Olusola Lawson Co-Managing Director, African Infrastructure Investment Managers

Chinua Azubike Chief Executive Officer, InfraCredit

Papa Demba Diallo Managing Director, Head of Project Development, Africa50

Solape Peters Partner, Olajide Oyewole LLP (DLA Piper Africa, Nigeria)Moderator

2:45 pm - 3:05 pm

Network, Network, Network!

3:05 pm - 3:45 pm

Stream 1a: Rhythm & Blues - Financing Africa's Creative Revolution

From Afrobeats topping global charts to Nollywood’s expansion into streaming, African creativity is gaining global recognition. But beyond the headlines, how can private capital fuel the growth of this booming industry? This panel explores investment opportunities across film, music, fashion, gaming, and digital content, examining how platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube are shaping the landscape. As the creative economy scales, how do we ensure smaller players aren’t left behind? Panellists will discuss investment opportunities, monetisation challenges, and strategies for building an ecosystem where both major players and emerging talents thrive. With the right investment and industry support, Africa’s creative industries can become global powerhouses, driving both economic impact and cultural influence.

Adekunle Adebiyi Head of Investment, MBO Capital

Mo Abudu Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EbonyLife Group

Ore Ogunbiyi Africa Correspondent, The EconomistModerator

3:05 pm - 3:45 pm

Stream 1b: Adapting to Reality: Climate Change and the Investment Imperative

Climate change is no longer a distant challenge—it’s an investment imperative. As environmental risks reshape economies and industries, investors can no longer afford to treat climate considerations as an afterthought. This panel explores how private capital can move beyond risk mitigation to opportunity creation, leveraging climate-smart investments to drive both financial returns and sustainable impact. Panellists will examine the sectors poised for growth in Africa’s green economy, from renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure to carbon markets and sustainable agriculture. The discussion will also cover the evolving regulatory landscape, the role of innovation, and how investors can embed climate resilience into portfolio strategies. With climate finance gaining momentum, this session provides a blueprint for investors looking to stay ahead in an era where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

Sarah McNeilly Managing Director, Allied Talent Partners

Baafour Otu-Boateng Investment Director, KawiSafi Ventures

Azza Khalfallah Investor Engagement Officer, AfricInvest

Oludare Senbore Partner, Aluko & OyebodeModerator

3:45 pm - 4:25 pm

Stream 2a: Give Credit Where It’s Due

Equity isn’t the only answer—it's time to give credit where it’s due. As businesses across the continent seek flexible and sustainable financing solutions, private credit is playing an increasingly important role in Africa’s investment landscape. This panel explores how mezzanine financing, structured debt, and credit funds can provide growth capital, improve liquidity, and offer alternatives to traditional equity funding. Panellists will discuss when private credit is the right fit, how it complements equity, and how blended capital structures can optimise financial sustainability. This session makes the case for a stronger, more diversified credit market—one that unlocks opportunities for both businesses and investors

Edmund Higenbottam Managing Director, Verdant Capital

Anthony Mwangi Njoroge Principal and Head, Africa, rA, SIFEM

Isaac Marshall Senior Investment Professional, TLG Capital

Lisa Rumelin Founder and Managing Partner, Betula Partners

Obianuju Ifebunandu Managing Counsel, Finance and M&A Practice Group, TemplarsModerator

3:45 pm - 4:25 pm

Stream 2b: Scoring Big: The Rise of Sports Investing in Africa

Africa’s sports industry is entering a new era of growth, creating compelling opportunities for private capital. With a rising pool of elite talent, increasing global partnerships, and expanding fan engagement, the business of sports is gaining momentum across the continent. This panel explores the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business, highlighting investment opportunities in infrastructure, sponsorships, media rights, and athlete development. Panellists will discuss how private capital can support the development of professional leagues, build sustainable franchises, and create commercial pathways that drive long-term value for investors and the industry.

Ibrahim Sagna Executive Chairman, Silverbacks Holdings

Gbemisola Abudu NBA Africa Vice President and Country Head, NBA Nigeria, NBA Africa

Absera Gizaw Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Helios Sports and Entertainment Group

Uel Migan-Gandonou Partner, 10k Sports & Wellness Fund

Alexis Akwagyiram Managing Editor , Semafor AfricaModerator

4:25 pm - 5:05 pm

Panel 11: LP Hour – Let’s Talk

What’s shaping LP decision-making in Africa today? This session pulls back the curtain on how LPs assess risk, evaluate fund managers, and deploy capital across African markets. As LP sentiment evolves amidst shifting macroeconomic conditions, the final panel convenes Africa’s institutional investors to discuss the key factors influencing their allocations. What strategies are LPs betting on? Which geographies and sectors are most attractive? How can GPs strengthen their investor relationships to secure long-term commitments? Expect an unfiltered conversation between LPs and GPs as panellists tackle the realities of fundraising and capital deployment in Africa’s private capital markets.

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

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

Aliya Farah Shariff Senior Director, Mastercard Foundation

Andrea Heinzer Managing Director, Omnia ImpactModerator

5:05 pm - 5:10 pm

Closing Remarks

*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.