It was an honour to receive an award of appreciation from United Way Greater Nigeria (UWGN), where I serve proudly as a board member. This recognition reflects a shared commitment to advancing economic inclusion and social change through collaborative, community-driven initiatives. I’m especially proud to support UWGN’s work in expanding access to education, empowering young people, and driving women’s economic participation across Nigeria.
I’m deeply honoured to be named one of the 100 Nigerian Women in Finance 2025 by Leading Ladies Africa. This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the progress we’ve made as a community in reshaping the investment landscape, especially when it comes to gender equality in finance. When I began my career in finance, women in decision-making roles, especially in investment and capital allocation, were scarce. I knew that to create lasting change, I had to be part of the movement that champions women as leaders in this space. Today, this recognition serves as a reminder that while we’ve come a long way, there’s still much work to be done.
It was great to join the all-female plenary at the NGX International Women’s Day Symposium—an inspiring gathering focused on accelerating women’s economic inclusion and breaking down the barriers to capital access. From gender-lens investing to the structural shifts required for real equity, the discussion was both timely and necessary. Sharing the stage with incredible women like Solape Akinpelu, Odiri Oginni, Chalya Shagaya, Pai Gamde, Kari Tukur, Adaorie Udechukwu, and Hilda Baci, with Ugochi Obi as moderator, was a powerful reminder of how important collective voices can be in shaping a more inclusive financial future. Capping off the day with the ceremonial bell ringing on the NGX trading floor was a proud moment, symbolic of the growing momentum behind women driving change in capital markets.
It was great to moderate a panel session at the NESG Private Sector Business Forum, where I led a timely conversation on “Emerging Business Challenges and Coping Strategies in 2025.” Joined by Tosin Ojo, Partner Sahel Capital, Dele Kelvin Oye, President NACCIMA & Chairman Organized Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), and Dr. Vincent Nwani, Strategy Leader, West Africa Safrik Investments Group, we unpacked the most pressing issues facing businesses in Nigeria today, from policy shifts and currency volatility to compliance burdens and constrained access to capital.
It was a pleasure to return to Oxford for the 2025 Oxford Africa Business Forum, hosted by the Oxford Africa Business Alliance in collaboration with Saïd Business School. I joined the panel on “Financing Africa’s Growth from Within” alongside David Awuah-Darko (IC Group), Henry Odogwu (BlackRock), Vish Ashiagbor (PwC Ghana), and moderator Obi Chinomso (Oxford MBA), where we explored how local capital, and homegrown strategies can drive sustainable development across the continent.
I travelled from Lagos to Colombo for the Innovation for Impact VC Summit, hosted by British International Investment (BII). This summit brought together over 150 investors, founders, and venture capital leaders from Africa and South Asia to exchange insights on scaling businesses in emerging markets. I had the honour of speaking on two engaging panels: “Same Same, But Different: From Ludhiana to Lahore to Lagos”, where we explored shared challenges in access to capital and scalability, and Fund Manager Pecha Kucha, a dynamic session unpacking real experiences in building sustainable investment platforms.
It was great to speak on the “Scaling Impact Initiatives to Attract and Mobilize Capital for Sustainable Investments” panel at the IIF Roundtable, moderated by Muizz Bello, Senior Associate at African Capital Alliance. Alongside Mr. Akinwande Pearse, Technical Adviser at GIZ, and Andrew Tarazid-Tarawali, Investment Director at Small Foundation, we explored how impact initiatives successfully mobilise capital and the role of sponsors in driving sustainable investments.
I had a fantastic time moderating the Women’s Forum: Breaking Barriers – Driving Inclusive Innovation in Africa’s Startup Ecosystem at the Omniverse Summit 2025. Alongside an inspiring panel—Dr. Tewa Onasanya, Founder & CEO of Exquisite Magazine, Mea Boykins, Director of Partnerships & External Engagement, and Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director at the Policy Innovation Centre who joined us virtually. We discussed the systemic barriers female founders face in accessing capital and the role of gender-lens investing in overcoming these challenges.
I had the privilege of being featured in the 13th Inspiring Women Series hosted by Kemi Ajumobi, Editor, BusinessDay. The event was a platform dedicated to spotlighting trailblazing women making remarkable strides in their industries. Recognised for Aruwa Capital’s pioneering work in gender lens investing, I shared the stage with fellow panelists committed to driving sustainable impact across Africa- Kari Tukur, Regional Vice President, Customer Solutions Mastercard Dr. Odiri Oginni, MD/CEO United Capital Ayodele Olejede, Divisional Head, Retail and SME, Wema Bank and moderated by Linda Uneze, Cofounder Maurice Xandra Solutions.
I had the pleasure of joining a fireside chat at the Gender Bonds Toolkit Dissemination Event in Lagos, hosted by FSD Africa. The discussion focused on how gender bonds can unlock capital for women-focused investments and drive financial inclusion across Africa. Moderated by Kate Perkins (BII), I was joined by Ojuru Adeniji, VP Origination & Structuring InfraCredit and Marlene Muller, innovation Manager Symbiotics. As gender bonds gain momentum, Aruwa Capital remains at the forefront, shaping the future of inclusive finance and expanding capital flows to women-led businesses
I was delighted to attend the Transitioning to Tech Demo Day, hosted by Africa Startup Factory, which has trained over 4,000 women in tech skills. I joined industry leaders from the United Nations, The World Bank, and Jobberman Nigeria to share insights with these talented women breaking barriers in tech. A highlight was receiving the Outstanding Women in Tech Award (OWITA), a recognition that reinforces Aruwa Capital’s commitment to driving gender inclusion in technology and high-growth industries.
It was an honour to attend the Women Allying Women event, hosted by the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III. This exclusive gathering, part of the Elevate Africa initiative, brought together inspiring Nigerian women leaders, creating a platform to share ideas, values, and experiences that drive impactful change. It was a privilege to engage in meaningful conversations with like-minded women committed to shaping a more inclusive and empowered future.
I had the privilege of participating in the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Focused Dialogue Session at the Africa Investment Forum 2024 in Rabat, Morocco. It was an insightful discussion alongside Dipuo Phakathi, CEO of Denic Cabinets, Wendy Teleki, Head of We-Fi Secretariat at The World Bank, and expertly moderated by Eleni Giokos, News Anchor and Correspondent at CNN. We explored strategies to bridge the gender financing gap, amplify women-led success stories, and unlock opportunities for women to drive Africa’s next wave of growth.
I had the pleasure of joining the local production panel at the Mentor Matchup Challenge 6.0 in Lagos, hosted Ezinne Nwazulu Managing Partner, 234Finance. I sat on a panel alongside Melat Nebiyou, Founder of Maribela Production and Melat Perfume, Olanrewaju Ogundipe, CEO of Imperial Education Technology Limited, expertly moderated by Kenneth Akan, Head of Sales and Revenue Growth at PaidHR. It was a great discussion on strengthening Nigeria’s supply chains and fostering a more resilient local industry.
I had the privilege of attending the 13th Annual Women in Private Capital Dinner, hosted by Runa Alam of DPI in partnership with PEWIN, alongside accomplished female leaders and executives from around the globe. The evening’s discussions were both inspiring and insightful, covering macroeconomic trends, geopolitical dynamics, and the resilience of private capital managers in turning challenges into opportunities.
It was indeed an unforgettable evening for me, to be called up to the podium 4 times as Aruwa Capital emerged winners of the most awards at the 12th Annual PEA Awards in London. Being celebrated on such a prestigious platform reaffirms the transformative vision we’ve championed over the last five years. This milestone is a testament to the collective effort of our incredible team in Lagos, the trust of our p artners, and the unwavering support of a community that believes in the power of purpose-driven investments. These awards are more than accolades; they symbolise the journey we’ve undertaken to drive inclusive growth and lasting impact across Africa.
I had the pleasure of attending the Private Equity Africa Leading Ladies Lunch, a gathering of nominees for the 2024 Leading Lady Award, held in Clifford Chance, London ahead of the PEA Awards. Sharing the room with trailblazing women like Ann Wyman, Senior Partner, AfricInvest, Françoise Chan, Executive Director, Intercontinental Trust Joy Chakanyuka, Chief Financial Officer, DPI, Isata Jawara- Client & Market Development, Clifford Chance and Montserrat Petit, Head of Marketing & Comms, Mediterrania Capital Partners was truly inspiring. Hosted by Gail Mwamba, Editor, Private Equity Africa, the lunch provided a meaningful platform to reflect on the strides women are making in shaping the future of private equity across Africa and beyond.
It was a pleasure to attend the Africa Prosperity Summit, hosted by Ventures Platform, under the theme “Funding the Next Billion: Africa’s VC Investment Landscape in a Post-ZIRP Era.” On a key panel tagged “Gender Lens Investing”, alongside Biola Alabi, General partner, Acadia ventures, Maria Rotilu, Founding partner, Openseed VC and moderator Dolapo Morgan, Snr. Investment Associate, Ventures Platform, we explored how investing in women-led businesses drives financial returns and catalyses innovation and social impact across Africa.
I had the pleasure of attending the Food and Energy Security Conference, co-hosted by NSIA, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), White & Case LLP, and Afrexim bank. The event brought together stakeholders to explore strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s food and energy resilience. A key highlight was the signing of an MoU between NSIA and AFC to co-develop cold chain and dry storage facilities—an essential move for bolstering Nigeria’s food value chain.
It was a pleasure to represent Aruwa Capital at the 2nd West Africa Deal Summit, which held at the Civic Centre, Lagos. On Day 1, I showcased Aruwa’s investment journey at the Impact Fund Showcase and joined a panel led by Lamide Adeosun of Kuramo Capital, to discuss fund mechanisms and sustainable growth in West Africa. On Day 2 was equally impactful as I delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Aruwa Capital and presented the award to the 2024 Impact Investor of the Year and award which Aruwa won in 2023.
Honoured to have spoken at Barclays Private Bank’s “Psychology of Investing” event, held at Gaia Africa House in Lagos. Alongside Catherine Fisher, Alex Joshi, Urvi Shah, and Alia Malik, we explored the evolving role of women as wealth custodians in family businesses, the unique psychology of investing, and the behavioural biases that influence financial decisions. It was a thought-provoking evening, delving into themes that underscore the pivotal role of women in advancing purposeful and impactful investments.
I was honoured to join the FCDO Women’s Network Women’s Week celebration, hosted by Deputy British High Commissioner, Gill Lever, to discuss “The Prospects of Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship.” Alongside my fellow panelist Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, we explored some of the most pressing challenges women face in leadership and access to capital, highlighting the critical steps needed to create more inclusive opportunities for women in business.
I had the honour of serving as a guest judge at the Funding Opportunity Pitch Day hosted by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). This event showcased transformative business proposals from innovators across Nigeria’s healthcare sector, all aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide.
I was honoured to participate in the transformative Elevate Africa Conference, hosted by their Royal Majesties, The Olu of Warri kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and the Queen Consort, Olori Atuwatse III. This gathering brought together leaders, visionaries, and stakeholders from across the continent to reshape the narrative of Africa. I had the pleasure of moderating an all-women key panel titled "Elevating African Trade: Through Regional Partnerships and Collaboration," Where I steered an interesting conversation alongside women leaders across diverse industries- Serah Makka, Executive Director for Africa, The One Campaign, Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO Optiva Capital Partners Juanita Sheppard, VP of Foundation & Government Partnerships, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Dr. Melinda Harris Barrow, Chairman and Executive Director 6th Region Global Chamber of Commerce.
It was a pleasure to return to the 3rd Annual Black Women in Asset Management (BWAM) Conference, where I was honoured as one of BWAM's 40 Under 40 in 2022, as a speaker. I joined one of the panels to discuss a crucial topic “Gender Lens Investing: Driving Impact and Returns’. I had a great conversation with visionary leaders- Mandy Nyarko MBE, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Sahara Impact Ventures Tara Sabre Collier, Climate and PSE Practice Lead, Chemonics International under the insightful moderation of Vona Aghoghovbia-Ezichi, MD, Head of Finance, Nuveen as we explored key strategies for driving both impact and returns through intentional, gender-focused investing.
I had the pleasure of participating on two pivotal panels at the Women's Private Equity Summit Europe, held at the Fairmont Windsor Park. In the first panel, "Putting Capital to Work", moderated by Aoifinn Devitt, CIO, London LGPS CIV Limited. I joined Frances Houweling, Partner, IK Partners and Rebecca Gibson, Partner, Oakley Capital to discuss innovative strategies for capital deployment across regions. The second panel, "Investing in Africa", moderated by Anne Fossemalle, Director, Equity Funds EBRD focused on Africa's potential as a key investment destination. Together with Mogkadi Maunatiala, Head of Sustainability & Impact Adenia Partners and Kriston Wilson, Managing Partner Innovate Africa Fund, we explored the continent's unique challenges, including political stability, currency fluctuations, and inflation, and how these factors shape fundraising strategies.
Honoured to have spoken at the PEWIN - Private Equity Women Investor Network meeting in New York. Alongside Ingrid Teigland Akay and Adele Oliva, we discussed “The Global Landscape for Female Funders and Founders,” moderated by Marilyn Adler. We highlighted breaking barriers and shifting capital towards women globally. While in New York, I got to connect with female fund managers from across the globe and had the opportunity to meet with LPs, including a visit to the Ford Foundation, advancing discussions around Aruwa Fund II. It was a momentous occasion as I got to receive the award for Aruwa’s recognition as the Female-Founded Emerging Manager, emerging as the winner out of 9 global nominees.
It was a pleasure to host and moderate an insightful webinar in conjunction with one of our largest institutional investors- Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund titled "Advancing Growth: Enabling Gender Equity & Inclusive Investment in Africa." The discussion centred on the reality of our impact report through the lens of our portfolio companies. The panelists—Timi Oke, MD/Co-Founder of Agroeknor; Natalie Casey, Chief Commercial Officer of Koolboks; and Priya Amarnani, Founding Team Member and Head of Product at OmniRetail—shared valuable insights on the impact of Aruwa across their companies and the entire value chain of their businesses.
It was a pleasure to join one of the panels at the Choiseul Africa Summit in Geneva. The panel discussed a crucial topic- "Strengthening Local Value Chains: Reconciling Sustainable and Social Impact”. I shared Aruwa Capital's focus on supporting businesses at pivotal points in their growth and scale journey, and also highlighted our commitment to sustainable investments that drive social impact, aligning with our vision to create lasting value across local economies.
An incredibly proud moment for me as Aruwa Capital releases its inaugural impact report to mark our fifth-year anniversary. As I reflect on the last five years, I am filled with nothing but gratitude as to how far we have come as a firm in a short space of time. It’s been five years of making impactful and meaningful investments that are driving positive change and reshaping the investment landscape in Africa.