Africa’s Moment or Africa’s Test? Leadership Lessons from Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede at the AFC Retreat
Africa's moment or Africa's test? At the Africa Finance Corporation's 2026 Staff Retreat, our Chairman, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, shared a pragmatic perspective on Africa’s place in a shifting global order and the kind of leadership the continent needs right now.
Our chairman, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, participated in the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) 2026 Staff Retreat, where he delivered an address on leadership, institutional credibility, and Africa’s future.
The retreat, themed "The Africa We Build,” convened AFC's leadership, board members, and special guests, including former Nigerian President and Chairman of our Leadership Council, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Speaking as a founding investor of AFC, our chairman reflected on the principles that shaped the corporation’s growth into one of Africa’s leading infrastructure finance institutions. He shared a formula for building enduring institutions: vision attracts capital, governance retains it, and execution compounds it, emphasising that strong governance and disciplined execution are what sustain credibility and long-term impact. Drawing on his experience building financial institutions and financing sectoral growth, he highlighted the importance of strategic timing, value-chain thinking, and disciplined leadership.
He also addressed the realities of a shifting global order, noting that Africa’s opportunities are real but not guaranteed. Progress will depend on mature leadership, disciplined institutions, and strong collaboration between public and private sector leaders. For Africa to succeed, public sector leaders must prioritise real impact, even when it requires difficult trade-offs, while private sector leaders pursue growth and job creation responsibly.
His message was clear: Africa’s next phase of growth will reward competence, coordination, and collective execution.
Click here to watch the full session