African and US business leaders, investors, policymakers, and development finance stakeholders recently gathered at a leadership dinner hosted by Cavista Holdings in New York. The annual US-Africa Leadership dinner, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, focused on practical steps to translate investor interest in Africa into sustainable businesses and long-term value. The event brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to examine investment opportunities and challenges across various sectors.
The gathering saw the attendance of prominent leaders, including 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. Discussions involved 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.
The theme of the event, “Catalyzing U.S.-Africa Investment,” highlighted the importance of partnerships in driving investment in Africa. Olajide noted that the next phase of investment would depend on the availability of capital and the strength of partnerships supporting projects on the ground. He emphasized that 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.
Jovanovic stressed the need for investors to engage early, understand individual markets, and build the right partnerships when investing in Africa. He said the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s role was to 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 noted that Africa’s growing role in the global economy meant investors needed more than capital to capture opportunities. He stressed 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.
Cavista Holdings has investments and operating interests across various sectors, including 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. The group’s activities around the UN General Assembly and its annual U.S.-Africa Leadership Dinner aim to strengthen commercial relationships between African businesses and international partners.
The objective of Cavista Holdings 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. The company’s approach is informed by its experience as an operator and its investments across various sectors.
Key points
- The US-Africa Leadership dinner focused on practical steps to translate investor interest in Africa into sustainable businesses and long-term value.
- The event highlighted the importance of partnerships and local capability in driving investment in Africa.
- Cavista Holdings aims to bridge the gap between investment interest and execution by building relationships, local expertise, and operational capacity in Africa.
