I had the pleasure of joining the Storytelling & Leadership Podcast with Mimi Kalinda to discuss Debunking the Myths About Investing in Women. We explored why investing in women in Africa is not just a funding issue, it is a leadership issue, a systems issue, and a missed growth opportunity. I shared why I founded Aruwa Capital Management and why closing the capital gap for women is critical for the future of business and investment on the continent. It was an inspiring conversation about how intentional capital allocation, leadership, and storytelling can reshape investment outcomes and unlock sustainable growth for women-led enterprises across Africa.
Being recognised by the University of Bristol Alumni Awards with the Innovation & Enterprise Award is deeply humbling. Bristol at 17 feels like a lifetime ago, a shy girl navigating new spaces, discovering lifelong friendships, playing netball, starting my first job at J.P. Morgan, and meeting my husband. Today, through Aruwa Capital Management, I am grateful that our work redefining access to capital and leadership in Africa is being acknowledged. Moments like this remind me how far a journey of persistence, purpose, and people can take you.
I am honoured to be recognised as one of 100 Women of Impact in Africa by ARISE News as part of International Women’s Day this year. This recognition is meaningful because it celebrates women across sectors, business, governance, technology, law, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship, who are shaping Africa’s future. Through Aruwa Capital Management, we are working to redefine who gets access to capital and who manages it, backing high-growth businesses that are female-founded, female-led, or serve women at scale, while strengthening local value chains and creating jobs across Nigeria and Africa.
I had the pleasure of representing Aruwa Capital Management at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Private Sector Consultation on Nigeria’s Country Partnership Framework. The session brought together over 100 private sector leaders to shape IFC’s long-term engagement in Nigeria over the next 5–6 years. We discussed policy direction, capital mobilisation, and ways to align public sector reforms with private enterprise to drive productivity, job creation, and value creation across sectors including agribusiness, power, manufacturing, and youth and women’s economic participation. It was inspiring to engage with leaders committed to shaping a productive and inclusive Nigerian economy.
I had the pleasure of representing Aruwa Capital Management at the closing phase of the SheWins Africa Startups Programme, joining an all-female panel convened by IFC to discuss strengthening support for women-led enterprises across Africa. With over 70% of Aruwa’s portfolio companies founded or led by women, the discussion highlighted the importance of backing women-led businesses as a core driver of African growth and showcased the next generation of investment opportunities across the continent. It was inspiring to engage with such a talented group of leaders shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
I recently led an internal workshop with our team focused on refining how we communicate our work and strengthening the discipline behind the materials we produce. The session provided an opportunity to step back from day-to-day responsibilities and collectively sharpen our craft, revisiting the fundamentals that ensure clarity, quality, and impact in everything we deliver. Moments like these reinforce a key principle for me: learning is embedded in the work we do. By continuously challenging ourselves and sharing knowledge, we ensure our work reflects the highest standards of rigour, collaboration, and intentionality.
Following my birthday week, I returned to the office to the most heartwarming surprise from my team at Aruwa Capital Management. Balloons, party hats, a beautiful cake, a card signed by everyone, and thoughtful gifts completely caught me off guard - it was a truly special moment. Leading Aruwa since I became CEO at 29 has been a journey of continuous learning: listening better, leading with empathy, building trust intentionally, and growing alongside the people I work with. Moments like this remind me that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about relationships, the culture you build together, and mutual respect.
I had the pleasure of representing Aruwa Capital Management at Investopia Africa, hosted in Nigeria for the first time. Highlights included a ministerial session led by Jumoke Oduwole, alongside Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, who leads the UAE’s strategic investment initiatives. Their discussion reinforced the importance of translating political alignment into sustained private-sector engagement and long-term economic value. The conference also highlighted growing international investor interest in Nigeria and the strength of recent reforms, making it a valuable platform for dialogue and collaboration across public and private sectors.
I was honoured to participate in the Nigeria–Japan Capacity Building & Investment Dialogue, hosted by UNDP and the Government of Japan. During the dialogue, I shared insights on how African SMEs can scale successfully under AfCFTA, highlighting the role of FX risk management and technology as key scale multipliers. I also outlined practical strategies for founders, including localising supply chains, building regional export channels, avoiding hard currency debt, and embedding devaluation into pricing.
I had the pleasure of attending a fund manager roundtable with the Board of Directors of British International Investment during their visit to Lagos. Our discussions focused on venture capital and private equity opportunities in Nigeria, drawing on my experience leading investments on the ground. The Board also visited Yikodeen, the first portfolio company of Aruwa Capital Management Fund II, to see operations firsthand and witness the impact of long-term, aligned partnerships. It was encouraging to reflect on the power of collaboration in driving growth and value across the Nigerian market.
During the 55th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, I had the pleasure of participating in Aruwa Capital’s first globally hosted panel, held as part of the launch of Nigeria House Davos. The platform spotlighted Nigeria’s innovation, enterprise, and global ambition, with Aruwa supporting as a sponsor. The panel, “She Builds, She Leads, She Scales: Women Shaping Africa’s Economic Future,” explored how removing barriers to capital, technology, and leadership can unlock Africa’s next wave of growth. Moderated by Payel Farasat, I joined Pauline Koelbl and Lise Birikundavyi to discuss the untapped potential of women as founders, fund managers, and leaders across Africa’s economy.
At the World Economic Forum - Nigeria House Davos, I participated in the panel “Bridging the Funding Gap for International Trade,” alongside Kola A., Adanna Amadi, and Wale Adeosun. We discussed strategies to mobilise Nigeria’s under-utilised pension assets to support long-term investment and accelerate Africa’s economic transformation, highlighting the potential of locally anchored capital to drive growth across the continent.
I was honoured to receive the Global Trade Facilitation & Strategic Partnership Award at Nigeria House Davos, held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The award was presented by Jumoke Oduwole in recognition of the work we are doing through Aruwa Capital Management to mobilise long-term capital into businesses that strengthen domestic value chains and support industrial growth across Nigeria and West Africa. It was encouraging to see the growing recognition of locally anchored African investment platforms and the important role they play in positioning African businesses to compete and collaborate on a global stage.
I was pleased to participate in the Mentor Matchup Challenge 7.0 Conference, a forum dedicated to connecting emerging founders with mentorship, guidance, and practical insights to help scale their businesses. During the panel discussion, I joined Michel Ussene, Temilade Aduroja, and Mohammed Usman Abdul-Razaq to share perspectives on mobilising capital, supporting women-led enterprises, and strengthening Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our conversation highlighted the importance of pairing investment capital with mentorship and operational support to help high-potential businesses grow, build resilience, and drive inclusive economic development across the continent.
I was pleased to participate in the ConnectED Diaspora Fireside Chat, a platform that brings together founders, investors, policymakers, and creatives committed to strengthening Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. During the conversation, themed “Breaking, Believing & Building in Nigeria,” I shared reflections on the intersection of global exposure and local execution, as well as the opportunities and realities of building enduring businesses within Nigeria’s complex but opportunity-rich environment. The discussion also explored the role of diaspora capital, youth, and technology in shaping Nigeria’s next decade of growth. It was encouraging to see strong engagement from stakeholders across sectors, including Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighting the importance of collaboration between policy, capital, and the diaspora in Nigeria’s long-term development.
I was pleased to join the invite-only OWES Breaking Bread: Investing in the Africa We Owe Ourselves gathering, which convened leaders shaping Africa’s future across policy, venture, and culture. I participated in the session “Women Investing in Africa’s Future: Owning Our Narrative” alongside Ashim Egunjobi, facilitated by Olayinka Osibodu. Our discussion explored the role of women in capital allocation and the importance of advancing gender-lens investing to support resilient businesses and more inclusive economic growth across Africa.
I was delighted to join a breakfast meeting in Lagos with the leadership team from British International Investment (BII), including Christopher Chijiutomi, Managing Director & Head of Africa, Benson Adenuga, West Africa Regional Director & Head of Office for Nigeria, and Adeola Ukoha, Coverage Manager, Nigeria. We shared updates on Aruwa Capital Management Fund II, including our team’s growth and the strong pipeline of scalable, impact-driven opportunities. Many of these opportunities align closely with BII’s concessionary debt facilities, supporting local SMEs that are driving meaningful change across Africa. Reflecting on our partnership, from my first email to BII in 2015 to collaborating on Fund II today, underscores the power of persistence and alignment in building inclusive and resilient private capital ecosystems across Nigeria and West Africa.
I had the pleasure of participating in the Africa Startup Festival 2025, joining a fireside conversation titled “Real People. Real Markets. Real Returns” alongside Temilola Adepetun (MD/CEO, SKLD) and moderated by Olalekan Onabanjo. The discussion offered an opportunity to reflect on the realities of scaling essential businesses across Africa. We explored how intentional investment in essential sectors- where demand is consistent, impact is measurable, and value creation is long-term, can drive inclusive growth. The conversation highlighted the importance of gender-smart, patient capital and the need for investors to remain close to operational realities to support sustainable business growth and resilient markets. Being part of this dialogue reinforced why Aruwa Capital’s approach- investing in businesses rooted in real market needs, continues to deliver tangible impact for communities and long-term value for investors.
I was honoured to deliver the keynote, “Performing With Purpose: Beyond Profit to True Impact,” at the PerformX Nexus Summit. The event, themed Building Bold, Executing Smart, and Performing Beyond, brought together industry leaders for inspiring keynotes and dynamic panel discussions. My keynote reflected on a journey guided by conviction, strategy, and purpose- showing that performance is not only about achieving targets, but about the impact those outcomes create for people, systems, and long-term transformation. Sharing the story of founding Aruwa Capital reinforced why purpose has always been central to our work: widening access to capital, challenging norms, and supporting inclusive leadership across Africa.
I am honoured to have been recognised at The Peak Perfomer Awards 2025, I won the TPP Under 40 CEO of the Year Award, recognising leadership impact, integrity, and contribution to industry and society. This award reflects the work we do at Aruwa- pioneering gender-lens investing, reshaping capital allocation in Africa, and consistently focusing on inclusive, long-term value creation. Aruwa Capital Management was also recognised as The Peak Performing Female-Focused Investment Company, celebrating our disciplined investment strategy, measurable impact across portfolio companies, strong governance, and efforts to elevate the private equity ecosystem across the continent.
I had the pleasure of meeting His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, during his visit to Lagos to engage with employers of young people in Nigeria. We discussed Aruwa Capital Management’s work to expand opportunities for youth and women, including job creation and the development of inclusive local value chains. It was an opportunity to highlight the catalytic role of early partnerships, such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s investment through FSD Africa in Aruwa Fund I, which helped build our gender-lens investing track record and scale our impact. This engagement underscores the important role private capital can play in driving economic empowerment, and we look forward to continuing partnerships that unlock the potential of Nigeria’s next generation.
I had the pleasure of participating in the 7 Generations Institute’s Pan Africa Family Office Engagement Series, where we explored how African families can preserve generational wealth while contributing meaningfully to the economic development of their home countries. The discussions emphasised the importance of trust, relationships, and intentional planning within our local context, with valuable perspectives shared by industry leaders present.
I had the pleasure of joining ImpactAlpha’s Agents of Impact Call to discuss an important topic: catalysing local growth funds for Africa. Across sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and financial services, growth businesses are driving real economic impact and creating jobs at scale. Yet, by our estimates at Aruwa Capital Management, Nigeria and Ghana alone face a $150 billion growth capital funding gap. The conversation highlighted a shared recognition among fund managers across Francophone Africa, Ghana, and Kenya of the need for: fit-for-purpose capital, creative liquidity solutions, local insights, technical assistance, and support to institutionalise businesses. As Drew von Glahn noted, local capital managers play a crucial role in the middle of the “hourglass,” bridging the gap between small firms and large-scale investment.
I am honoured that Aruwa Capital Management emerged as a triple winner at the 14th Annual Private Equity Africa (PEA) Awards Gala in London- a recognition that marks a truly memorable moment in our journey. I am especially humbled to receive the Person of the Year / People’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year. Voted by peers across the industry, this award reflects the shared recognition of our efforts to widen access to capital for women and underrepresented founders across Africa. Aruwa was also recognised as Private Equity House of the Year – Small Cap, reaffirming our belief that purpose and performance can coexist at the highest levels, and Overall Private Equity Portfolio Company of the Year for Yikodeen Company Limited, celebrating the strength of African manufacturing, job creation, and innovation. As we celebrate this moment, our focus remains on the road ahead, building the future of private equity in Africa, one purposeful investment at a time.
I am honoured to be recognised once again among the leaders of the Choiseul 100 Africa 2025, a ranking that highlights young African decision-makers under 40 who are contributing meaningfully to the continent’s economic, social, and cultural development. Since 2022, this recognition has been a reminder of the broader movement shaping Africa’s future, one that aligns closely with Aruwa Capital Management’s mission to expand opportunity, deepen inclusion, and support the growth of locally owned, female-led businesses across the region. Being named among this year’s Nigerian laureates, including a cohort of exceptional Nigerian women, reinforces the importance of consistent, values-driven leadership in building systems that deliver sustainable and inclusive impact for the continent.
I had the honour of attending the Ford Foundation West Africa’s 65th Anniversary celebration in Abuja, a reflective moment recognising the Foundation’s decades of work in advancing social justice, equity, and opportunity across the region. The programme underscored the importance of inclusive development and long-term partnerships in shaping resilient communities in West Africa. It was also a pleasure to meet Dr ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director for West Africa, whose leadership continues to guide the Foundation’s impactful engagement in the region. As one of Aruwa Capital Management’s investors, the Ford Foundation has been an important partner since 2021. We remain aligned in our commitment to driving inclusive growth and expanding opportunity across West Africa.
I had the honour of speaking at the Elevate Africa Convening 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana, where I joined industry leaders on the plenary session, “Bridging Borders: Unlocking Trade Through Seamless Intra-African Payments.” The session explored how innovative financial infrastructure, digital technologies, and regional collaboration can accelerate intra-African trade and deepen economic integration under the AfCFTA. I was joined by Abraham Osho of Pan-African Payment & Settlement System- PAPSS, Athman Ali of Visa, and Ehi Binitie of Rancard, and the session was moderated by Karen Matsiko of Pivotedge Advisory & Consultancy Group It was an insightful discussion on building trusted, scalable systems that empower businesses and governments to transact seamlessly across borders, which underscored a key message: Africa’s trade potential will be fully realised when payments and processes become truly frictionless and built to support continent-wide economic participation.
I had the honour of participating in the inaugural Bank of Industry ESG Conference in Lagos, where I joined a panel discussion on “ESG Pathways for Nigerian SMEs.” The session brought together ESG champions and industry leaders focused on strengthening responsible and resilient growth across Nigeria’s SME sector. Our discussion highlighted how SMEs can integrate ESG principles to enhance competitiveness, build resilience, and align with global standards. I shared Aruwa Capital Management’s experience, where ESG integration has been central to our investment philosophy and a proven driver of long-term value creation across our female-founded and female-led portfolio.
I recently had the privilege of joining the IMAGINE Leaders Programme at the University of Oxford, a rare opportunity to step back from the pace of deal-making and boardroom engagements and immerse myself fully as a participant. Over the course of the week, I engaged in deep learning alongside a global cohort of founders, CEOs, investors, and system leaders, exploring how values-driven leadership can reshape industries and strengthen outcomes for people and planet. Beyond the classroom, the conversations- whether during structured debates or late-night reflections, offered space to challenge assumptions and broaden my perspective. Experiencing Oxford not as a speaker but as a learner underscored an important reminder: leadership requires as much listening and introspection as it does action.
I had the honour of representing Aruwa Capital at the EDFI MC Corporate Day: Beyond the Crossroads 2025 in Brussels, where I spoke on the panel “Resilience in Action: Lessons from Private Sector Growth in Fragile Markets.” With EDFI MC as one of our Fund II investors, the conversation was an especially meaningful opportunity to share how inclusive capital allocation can strengthen fragile markets and foster sustainable growth. I was joined by Changwe Kumalinga (Good Nature Agro), Lola Masha (Babban Gona), Nilantha Jayanetti (Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC), Kisa Giebink (Okra Solar), and Bart Coenegrachts (EDFI MC) for a thoughtful discussion on how innovative models, including blended finance, are driving business success and resilience across sectors.