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.
At the AVCA 2025 Conference, I joined Tokunboh Ishmael (Alitheia Capital), Najada Kumbuli (Visa Foundation), and Sarah Ngamau (Moremi Fund) for the 2X Ignite Gender Lens Investing Roundtable, moderated by Elena Haba of 2X Global. I led the breakout session on Incentives, where we explored practical ways to embed gender inclusion into investment strategies through financial and structural levers. It was a focused and energising dialogue on turning intent into lasting impact.
On the sidelines of the AVCA Week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Visa West Africa event hosted at Visa’s Lagos office, a powerful gathering centred on inclusive finance and catalytic partnerships. I joined Najada Kumbuli (Vice President, Head of Investments, Visa Foundation), Ajibola Odukoya (CEO, AfriLabs), and moderator Chiedu Adudu (Commercial Sales Executive, Visa West Africa) for a high-impact panel exploring how strategic partnerships, such as that between Aruwa Capital and the Visa Foundation, are driving entrepreneurship and unlocking inclusive growth across the continent.
One of the memorable moments at AVCA Week was finally meeting Tope Awotona, CEO of Calendly, in person, over three years after we first connected virtually in 2021 during my Fund I fundraising journey. Tope’s fireside chat was a powerful reflection on visionary leadership, calculated risk, and the resilience needed to build something truly transformative, from Lagos to leading a globally recognised platform valued at $3 billion. Our one-on-one meeting afterwards was equally enriching. We discussed Aruwa Capital’s growth, the vision for Fund II, and our shared values of innovation, tenacity, and giving back.
It was great speaking at the 5th edition of the Doing Business in Nigeria Conference (DBNC), a critical platform for engaging with Nigeria’s evolving business landscape. I joined the panel on “Accessing Finance in Challenging Times: Opportunities for Nigerian Businesses,” where we explored how patient capital and gender-lens investing can be powerful tools to unlock growth for underserved yet high-potential businesses. It was a pleasure to engage alongside industry leaders including Jude Chiemeka (CEO, Nigerian Exchange Limited), Catherine Uju-Ifejika (CEO, Brittania-U Nigeria Limited), Adeniyi Adenubi (Co-Founder, VFD Group), Dr. Inalegwu Adoga (MD, Champion Breweries), and Katharina Link (CEO, Pulse Africa).
I had the pleasure of attending the Women in Power Conference at Harvard Kennedy School as panelist for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the topic “From Policy to Investment.” Alongside Kathrina Dalka (Founder & CEO, Stellar One), Christina Qi (CEO, Databento), and Natalie Madeira Cofield (President & CEO, Association for Enterprise Opportunity), and expertly moderated by Katherine Attiah, we explored how policy frameworks and capital flows can be better aligned to support women-led businesses. The dialogue underscored the importance of designing systems that unlock economic participation and long-term success for women across the globe.
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.