US, African leaders discuss new investment deals at UNGA

L - R: Executive Director & Chief Investment Officer at Africa Finance Corporation, Sameh Shenouda; President/CEO, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), Florie Liser; President & CEO; Nigeria's Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; Former President of Bostwana, Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi; Chairman, Cavista Holdings, Niyi John Olajide; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S.A, H.E. Ambassador Kayode Are; Chairman, Flour Mills of Nigeria, John Coumantarous; Former Chairman of Odu'a Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Immediate Past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, O.O.N mni; and CFO Cavista Holdings, Ron Olajide, at the Annual Cavista Holdings US-Africa Leadership Dinner, held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly...on Monday.

African and US business leaders, investors, policymakers and development finance stakeholders have discussed ways to deepen investment partnerships between Africa and the United States at a leadership dinner hosted by Cavista Holdings in New York.

The annual US-Africa Leadership held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, focused on practical steps needed to translate investor interest in Africa into sustainable businesses and long-term value.

In a statement released on Friday, Cavista Holdings said the gathering brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to examine investment opportunities and challenges across infrastructure, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and critical minerals.

Among those in attendance were 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 Governor of Ekiti State and former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The event featured discussions involving Cavista Holdings Chairman, Niyi John Olajide; U.S. Export-Import Bank President and Chairman, John Jovanovic; and Africa Finance Corporation Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, Sameh Shenouda. Tom Sheehy, Principal at Quinella Global and Senior Advisor at KRL International, moderated one of the sessions.

Speaking on the theme, “Catalyzing U.S.-Africa Investment,” Olajide said the next phase of investment would depend not only on the availability of capital but also on the strength of partnerships supporting projects on the ground.

He said African businesses could provide local knowledge, resources, talent and access to growing markets, while U.S. businesses and investors could contribute capital, technology and expertise.

According to Olajide, combining these strengths with strong governance and a long-term approach could help move the conversation around Africa from potential to the development of sustainable businesses.

Jovanovic said investing in Africa required investors to engage early, understand individual markets and build the right partnerships.

• Nigeria, Germany deepen talks on steel, technology transfer
• FULL LIST: S’Arabia, Iran, others walk out as Netanyahu attacks Mamdani
• FULL TEXT: Netanyahu’s UN speech as delegates walk out

He said the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s role was to help facilitate such partnerships and bring more private capital into projects while supporting American companies seeking opportunities in African markets.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of local capability in turning investment commitments into successful projects.

Shenouda said Africa’s growing role in the global economy meant investors needed more than capital to capture opportunities, stressing the importance of local knowledge and the ability to navigate different markets and execute projects effectively.

Cavista Holdings said its experience as an operator informs its approach to connecting global capital and expertise with African investment opportunities.

The group has investments and operating interests across 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 businesses include financial services company PayZeep, which operates 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, providing technology services to clients globally.

Cavista said its activities around the UN General Assembly and its annual U.S.-Africa Leadership Dinner form part of broader efforts to strengthen commercial relationships between African businesses and international partners.

The company said its objective is to help bridge the gap between investment interest and execution by building the relationships, local expertise and operational capacity required to develop long-term businesses in Africa.