RenCap Strengthens SSA Equities Team, Popoola Heads Nigerian Equities

Renaissance Capital, a leading emerging and frontier markets investment bank, has strengthened its Sub-Saharan African (SSA) team in Nigeria with a series of new appointments.

Temi Popoola, CFA, joined Renaissance Capital in Lagos effective 8 July as Head of Nigerian Equities, as the Firm continues strengthening its award-winning SSA markets franchise.

Popoola will work alongside Renaissance Capital’s existing sales team, traders and research analysts to drive equities business management and strategic planning in Nigeria, further building on the Firm’s proven track record in SSA.

Popoola is a highly seasoned executive with over 13 years of international experience in equities and derivatives in emerging markets.

He joins Renaissance Capital from CSL Stockbrokers/FCMB in Lagos, where he led the sales and trading division and helped to build a successful equities business.

Popoola began his career as an asset manager in London in 2002, before joining Banc of America Securities in New York in 2006 as a trader in equity derivatives.

He then moved to Lagos in 2009 to join the United Bank for Africa as Head of New Products and Investments, and afterwards worked at CSL Stockbrokers/FCMB. Mr. Popoola is the co-founder of Centurion Capital Partners, an asset management firm based in New York.

The new Head of RenCap Nigerian Equities holds a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Popoola will report to Benjamin Samuels, Global Head of Equities, Renaissance Capital.

Mr. Samuels commented: “We are delighted to see our Nigerian team grow in stature. Temi’s appointment shows our commitment to continued strengthening of our Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa offering, while his extensive knowledge of emerging markets and his international experience will enable Renaissance Capital to build on its proven track record in the region.”

The Firm also announced a number of organisational changes in its Lagos office. Daniel Ugwuoke, Director, Equity and Fixed Income Sales, has been appointed as Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities (FICC) for Nigeria, focusing on client portfolios and strategy.

He will report to Marina Ryabokon, Director of International Fixed Income Sales. Adesoji Solanke, Sub-Saharan African Banking Analyst, is appointed as Head of Research for Nigeria. He will report to Mr. Popoola locally and Mr. Samuels internationally.