E-Financial
Support for Private Equity Takes Centre Stage at 4th Annual CBO
Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, managing director and chief executive officer of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has re-emphasised the need to support private equity to create a more suitable environment for burgeoning business and organisations to thrive.
Chike-Obi, who was the keynote speaker made the remark at the recently concluded CBO Capital 4th Annual Investors Conference held in Lagos.
He said, “Nigeria can experience growth through massive investment from both within and outside the country if the Federal Government encourages this by providing guarantee schemes for private equity firms to invest.”
Speaking on the theme: “Can Private Equity Save Nigeria?”Mr. Bex Nwawudu, director, CBO Capital said, “With the forthcoming elections in 2015, it has become imperative to understand and promote a healthy discussion of equity investment issues, and how the industry through its provision of long term equity can work to effect positive changes in the economy of Nigeria.
“We’re in the 4th year of our Annual Investor Conference, and this year, because we realize first-hand, how important Private Equity is, we chose to focus the discussions around it, and highlight how it directly contributes to economic and commercial growth in Nigeria, and indeed, the rest of the African continent.”
Continuing further, he said: “At a time when global institutional investors are increasing their exposure to the African continent and specifically to Nigeria within Private Equity allocations, we have surprisingly little local content or government support for the local development of the asset class. With this event, we intend to create a platform that seeks to create dialogue, connect the dots and deliver local insight to the private equity discussion. “
The panel discussions highlighted many themes surrounding the importance of the relationship between fund managers, institutional investors (LPs) and regulators.
Key takeaways included whether the traditional PE fund model and investment structures were appropriate for Nigerian PE and if there were other models and innovations to consider; the importance of incorporating institutional Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards in investment processes; and how to develop the Nigerian PE landscape from a cottage industry to an institutional asset class with the support of the Pension Fund Administrators (“PFAs”) and the regulatory institutions
The afternoon keynote address was given by Ms. Eme Essien Lore, the newly appointed Country Manager of Nigeria, International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Ms Essien Lore reiterated IFC’s commitment to the region and highlighted about IFC’s recent increase in investment activity in Nigeria. She also shared her views on how the housing sector, power, and the emergence of the middle class are driving IFC’s strategic areas of focus.
Some of the other speakers who facilitated panel discussions and sessions at the conference include: Ms. Barbara James, Director, Henshaw Capital, Dr. Farouk Aminu; Head Research & Corporate Strategy, PENCOM, Mr. Raj Kulasingam; Senior Counsel at Dentons, Mrs. Ijeoma Agboti-Obatoyinbo, Director, The Abraaj Group, Mr. Ugo Ikemba; Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria, and a host of others, representing leading PE, Investment and Fund Management firms.
In its 4th year, the CBO Capital Investors conference has a combined attendance of nearly 2000 delegates, with attendees drawn from the private equity, investment, banking, fund management and real estate sectors.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced strategic expansion into more African countries even as it plans to open a new office in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in its mission to connect Africa with key global markets.
Oliver Alawuba, GMD/CEO, UBA group,
This emerged during the Group’s Half Year Business Review held at its global headquarters in Lagos, where Oliver Alawuba, group managing director/CEO, UBA group, met with senior executives overseeing UBA’s 24-country footprint.
The meeting reaffirmed the bank’s pan-African strategy while outlining bold new steps into global markets.
Alawuba highlighted UBA’s continued growth outside Nigeria, with more than 51.7% of Group revenues now generated from its ex-Nigerian operations.
He described the Saudi expansion as a move that positions UBA to support cross-border trade, attract investment flows, and better serve the African diaspora.
“UBA’s vision is clear—we are building a truly global institution anchored in Africa, but serving customers across continents. Our entry into Saudi Arabia signals confidence in new opportunities and commitment to supporting economic connectivity between Africa and the Middle East,” he said.
The Saudi expansion adds to UBA’s international presence, which currently includes the United Kingdom, United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. Alawuba also disclosed that the bank is upgrading its operating licence in France to further strengthen its European operations.
“In Europe, UBA has operations in the United Kingdom and is upgrading its licence in France, expanding its capacity to serve cross-border trade, investment flows, and the African diaspora, complementing our over 40-year presence in New York,” Alawuba noted.
Since launching its pan-African journey with an entry into Ghana in 2004, UBA has expanded rapidly across 20 African countries, establishing itself as a leading driver of financial inclusion, innovation, and regional integration.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated announced its plan to raise up to $250m in Additional Tier 1 capital through a private placement of contingent convertible notes.
In a statement filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited recently, the capital raise was approved by shareholders at the company’s Extraordinary General Meeting held in Lomé, Togo. The private placement offer was launched on July 9 and will run for ten days.
“Following the approval of the shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on May 28, 2025, in Lomé, Togo, to raise up to $250m in additional Tier 1 capital qualifying instruments via a private placement of contingent convertible notes, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated announces the launch of the AT1 effective July 9, 2025, for ten days. Renaissance Capital Africa has been appointed as the transaction adviser to ETI.”
The move is an initiative aimed at strengthening Ecobank’s capital adequacy, enhancing financial resilience, and supporting its long-term growth ambitions across its diversified pan-African banking platform.
Additionally, Madibinet Cisse, Ecobank’s Company Secretary, said, “This proposed capital raise represents a critical step in our efforts to fortify the bank’s financial foundation and support sustainable growth across Africa.”
It would be recalled that Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, the parent company of the Ecobank Group, has raised an additional $125m through a Eurobond tap, bringing the total size of its 2029 notes to $525m.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has announced that the body has recovered lost funds from the CBEX fraud scheme.
Olukoyede did not announce the amount recovered, but he assured Nigerians that the EFCC is taking action against the promoters of the scheme.
The EFCC Chairman emphasised that the suspects found are facing prosecution.
“We have found a lot of people culpable. Those who promoted that scheme are within our jurisdiction and have been arrested. So, at this moment, they are being prosecuted. And we can also say that money has been recovered, even though the process is still ongoing for us to finally forfeit it,” he said.
Olukoyede also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when investing their resources into online platforms.
“Ponzi schemes remain one of the most pervasive threats facing unsuspecting investors. The CBEX case is a clear example. We all remember the outcry that followed the collapse of the scheme, but these unfortunate situations are preventable. Nigerians must begin to conduct due diligence before committing their resources to such platforms,” Olukoyede said.
He also stressed that the body remains committed to fishing out the culprits and recovering the lost funds.
“It was only when the bubble burst that people wanted EFCC to perform magic and recover their money. In the case we investigated in Lagos, which we dubbed Operation Flush, we arrested a large number of foreigners involved in various cybercrimes, including CBEX. I want Nigerians to know that as of today, we have secured close to 150 convictions. Some of them are already serving their jail terms. And when they are through with that, we are going to send them back to where they came from. So we are monitoring them,” he added.
He urged the public to stay vigilant, assuring them that the body will see the case to the end.
“We are no longer the EFCC that drops cases halfway. Whatever we start, we will finish. Nigerians should trust us and believe in our capacity to do justice. Some of these cases are complex and may require cross-border investigations, but we are up to the task,” he said.
EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money
UBA Expands to More African Cities, Stamps Footprint in Saudi Arabia
NCC Speaks of Plans to Secure Telecom Infrastructure Nationwide
Africa’s Lawmakers Commit to Strengthening AI, Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing Frameworks
Ecobank Plans to Raise $250m Capital Through Private Placement
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