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.
I am honoured to have been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Impact Investors Foundation this September. Joining four distinguished peers- Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe- CEO, Lapo Group Dave Uduanu- MD Access ARM Pensions Limited Adewale Ajayi- Partner and Head of Tax, KPMG Nigeria. I am proud to serve as the only female within this group of newly elected leaders committed to advancing impact investing in Nigeria. This appointment represents more than a personal milestone; it is an opportunity to deepen the role of gender-smart perspectives in shaping how capital drives inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa.
I had the pleasure of attending the VNTR Nigeria Investor Roundtable hosted by Victor Bisong, the event brought together members of the global VNTR community and leading local investors in Lagos, Nigeria. The conversations were purposeful, opening doors to new opportunities for collaboration and co-investment, and reaffirming Nigeria’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic startup and innovation ecosystems.
It was a pleasure to speak at the Lagos Venture Finance Summit hosted by VenCapital, where I joined an engaging panel discussion on “How to Launch a Venture Capital Fund in Africa.” We explored what it takes to set up and scale durable, investor-aligned funds on the continent, from building the right structures and governance to differentiating strategies, anchoring early investors, and maintaining resilience throughout the fundraising journey. I was joined by Dr. Dotun Olowoporoku, Managing Partner and General Partner at Ventures Platform; Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Co-founder and General Partner at Future Africa; and Ashim Egunjobi, Managing Partner at Octerra Capital. The session was expertly moderated by Esohe Igbinoba, Venture Partner at VenCapital.
It was an honour to speak at the first-ever GITEX Nigeria, on the panel “Women in the Rooms, at the Tables and Shaping the Rules.” I was joined by Tommie Edwards of Tech1M and Peju Ibekwe of Sterling One Foundation, with the session expertly moderated by Amaka Joyce of Busha. The conversation highlighted how women are shaping Africa’s tech and investment ecosystem, redefining how capital flows, how innovation is scaled, and how policies are written. At Aruwa Capital Management, we’ve seen first-hand that gender-smart investing is not only inclusive but also transformative for communities and economies.
I was honoured to be featured on How We Made It in Africa, where I had the opportunity to share the full story behind building Aruwa Capital. From being told to “get a male co-founder” to launching one of Africa’s few women-owned private equity funds, the interview reflects on the early struggles, the conviction that kept me going, and the vision that continues to drive our work at Aruwa.
In July 2025, I was honoured to be appointed to the Board of Advancing Women in Investing (AWI), an initiative dedicated to democratising access to funding and opportunity for emerging female capital allocators. This appointment closely aligned with my work at Aruwa Capital Management, where we are proving the business case for investing in women as fund managers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and stakeholders.
In July, I had the honour of attending the EcoNexus Green Business Breakfast hosted by the Executive Governor of Lagos State- Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It was an insightful gathering that spotlighted climate solutions, circular economy opportunities, and the transformational potential of the 80 million Clean Cookstove Project. The session reinforced the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and investors in unlocking climate action and embedding sustainability into national policy.
I am honoured to be named among the 2025 AFROTECH™ Future 50, a recognition celebrating Black innovators, investors, and changemakers redefining what’s possible across industries. To be included as one of only 10 investors on this global list is both humbling and energising, and a reminder of how far our stories and impact are reaching.
It was a pleasure to speak at the Consumer and Industrial Products and Services (CIPS) Industry Breakfast Session hosted by PwC Nigeria, where I joined a panel on “Building Supply Chain Resilience in a Dynamic Operating Environment.” I shared insights from Aruwa’s perspective, highlighting how locally anchored businesses are developing globally relevant supply chains with agility and long-term vision. I was joined by Emovwreha Nwaefuna, Dr. Chinyere Almona, Gloria Edozie-Ozoigbo, and Sagar Dixit. The session was expertly moderated by Tunde Adedigba.
It was a pleasure to speak on the Venture Capital panel at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance Weekend (#IGW2025) in Marrakech. Themed “Financing Africa: Where is the Money?”, the session explored the evolving role of venture capital on the continent amidst slowing investment flows. I was joined by Euler B. and Matthew Davis, with the discussion expertly moderated by Tarek Mouganie, PhD, and hosted by Affinity Africa.
It was an honour to join Justin Forman, President of Faith Driven Entrepreneur and Faith Driven Investor, for a special episode of the Faith Driven Investor Podcast. I shared the Aruwa Capital story, one that began as an act of obedience and continues to unfold as a testament to what’s possible when faith and finance meet.
It was a pleasure to participate in the Impact Fund Showcase during the Africa Impact Summit Study Tour to Nigeria, hosted by the Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) where I shared how Aruwa Capital is deploying a gender-lens investment strategy to scale transformative businesses, highlighting that investing in women-led and women-focused enterprises is both impactful and commercially compelling.
It was a pleasure to speak at the second edition of the Lagos Private Wealth Conference hosted by HNW Advisors in collaboration with W8 Advisory. I joined a critical panel discussion on “How to Diversify Your Portfolio Through Impact Investing,” where we explored how inclusive, impact-driven strategies are creating long-term value while addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. I was joined by Yemi Keri, CEO of Heckerbella and Co-founder of Rising Tide Africa; Chike Chukwuelue, Group Head of Equity Investments at the Bank of Industry; and Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Deputy Managing Director of Falcon Corporation. The session was expertly moderated by Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, CEO/MD of EnergyInc Advisors.
In 2019, I first met Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and shared my vision for bridging the funding gap for overlooked SMEs and unlocking the potential of women as capital allocators. Six years later, I returned, this time leading a delegation of our portfolio companies. During the visit, we showcased four gender-diverse, locally rooted SMEs and discussed the need for stronger policy support for indigenous manufacturing. It was a powerful full-circle moment, proof that bold ideas, when nurtured with grit and excellence can lead to lasting impact.
At the 21st Annual AVCA Conference in Lagos, I had the opportunity to speak on the panel “Scaling Up: Fundraising Beyond Fund II” alongside David Damiba (Managing Partner & Co-CEO, Kasada Capital Management), Hajavola Rakontondrazaka (Chief Equity Portfolio Management Officer), and Jean-Marc Savi de Tové (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Adiwale Partners). The session was expertly moderated by Amanda Cotterman (Head of SME Ventures Program). We shared honest reflections on the complexities of fundraising in today’s market, the evolution of GP-LP relationships, and strategies for scaling sustainable investment platforms across Africa. A timely and engaging conversation with insights from across the capital stack.
A standout moment from AVCA Week was hearing Aliko Dangote share his journey building one of Africa’s most transformative conglomerates. His bold move to set up Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil refinery was a reminder of the conviction it takes to build with purpose. During a brief chat after his session, I asked about currency risk given the naira’s volatility. His reply, “You have to be in” resonated deeply. Despite global options, he chooses to invest and build at home, reinforcing the value of resilience and long-term thinking.