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Cavista Holdings convened top African and U.S. business executives, investors, policymakers, and development finance leaders in New York for its annual U.S.-Africa Leadership Dinner, hosted on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The high-level gathering focused on converting investor interest into bankable projects across key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and critical minerals.
Distinguished attendees included former President of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi; Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa; the Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II; Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal; and former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The event featured two executive panel discussions examining the U.S.-Africa investment landscape. The first session brought together Niyi John Olajide, Chairman of Cavista Holdings and Chair of the Corporate Council on Africa, and John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). The second featured Olajide alongside Sameh Shenouda, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer at Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), moderated by Tom Sheehy, Principal at Quinella Global and Senior Advisor at KRL International.
Deliberations centered on closing the gap between institutional investor interest and on-the-ground project delivery. Panellists emphasised that deployment of capital must be paired with trusted local operating partners to navigate market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and execution risks.
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”The next phase of U.S.-Africa investment will be defined not simply by the availability of capital, but by the quality of the partnerships behind it. Africa needs long-term capital, but investors also need trusted local partners who understand the market and the realities of execution. When U.S. technology and expertise align with African local knowledge and resources under strong governance, we build businesses that deliver sustainable returns, ” said Niyi John Olajide, Chairman of Cavista Holdings.
Reaffirming the role of public credit agencies, John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of EXIM Bank, noted: ”Investing in Africa requires showing up early, understanding the market, and building the right partnerships. American companies can bring capital and technology, while African partners bring local relationships and operational knowledge. At EXIM, our role is to help mitigate risk, facilitate these partnerships, and crowd in private capital.”
Discussing institutional deal structuring, Sameh Shenouda, Executive Director and CIO at AFC, highlighted the necessity of local capability in risk mitigation:
”Africa is increasingly central to the global economy, but capturing its opportunities requires more than capital. Investors need deep local knowledge to navigate distinct markets. AFC combines balance-sheet strength with on-the-ground experience to convert opportunities into bankable, scalable assets.”
