Cavista Holdings has brought together African and United States business leaders, investors, policymakers and development finance stakeholders in New York to explore strategies for converting growing global interest in African markets into long-term investments and sustainable businesses.
The annual U.S.-Africa Leadership Dinner, held on September 21 on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), focused on investment opportunities and practical challenges across infrastructure, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and critical minerals.
The event was attended by former Botswana President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi; Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa; the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal; and former Ekiti State Governor and former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
The gathering featured two high-level discussions examining the evolving U.S.-Africa investment landscape and the partnerships required to translate opportunities into viable businesses.
The first discussion featured Cavista Holdings Chairman, Niyi John Olajide, and John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).
The second brought together Olajide and Sameh Shenouda, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), with Tom Sheehy, Principal at Quinella Global and Senior Adviser at KRL International, as moderator.
The discussions highlighted the importance of partnerships, local expertise and long-term capital in turning Africa’s investment opportunities into sustainable businesses.
Speaking on the theme, “Catalysing U.S.-Africa Investment,” Olajide, who also chairs the Corporate Council on Africa, said the next phase of investment in the continent would depend not only on the availability of capital but also on the quality of partnerships supporting projects.
He said U.S. businesses and investors could bring capital, technology and expertise, while African businesses offered local knowledge, resources, talent and access to expanding markets.
“When those strengths are brought together with strong governance and a long-term perspective, we can move beyond conversations about Africa’s potential to build businesses that deliver sustainable returns,” Olajide said.
Jovanovic said successful investment in Africa required investors to engage early, understand individual markets and establish appropriate partnerships.
He said EXIM was working to facilitate such partnerships, attract additional private capital to projects and support American companies seeking opportunities across African markets.
Shenouda said Africa’s increasing importance to the global economy meant investors needed more than capital to succeed, stressing the importance of local knowledge and the ability to navigate different markets and execute projects.
“Africa is increasingly central to the global economy, but capturing its opportunities requires more than capital,” he said.
A key issue raised during the discussions was the gap between strong investor interest in Africa and successful project execution.
Participants emphasised the need for reliable local partners with knowledge of regulatory and operating environments, strong stakeholder relationships and practical experience in navigating the complexities of doing business across the continent.
Cavista Holdings said its experience as an operator had shaped its approach to connecting international capital and expertise with investment opportunities in Africa.
The group has interests spanning agriculture, food processing, financial services, hospitality and technology.
In Nigeria, Agbeyewa Farms is developing a cassava value chain in Ekiti State, while Matna Foods processes cassava into food-grade starch in neighbouring Ondo State.
Its other interests include PayZeep, a financial services company operating in Nigeria and Botswana, and Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, operated by Glocient Hospitality.
Through Cavista Technologies, the group also operates across Nigeria, India, Botswana, the Philippines and the United States.
Cavista said its activities around the UN General Assembly and the annual U.S.-Africa Leadership Dinner were part of a broader effort to deepen commercial relationships between African businesses and global partners.
The company said the objective was to move discussions beyond investment interest to actual investments and successful execution by strengthening the relationships, partnerships and local capabilities required to create lasting value across Africa.
