Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the managing director and CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), on Monday set an ambitious new vision for African sovereign wealth funds as not just financial custodians but as global capital mobilisers and agents of social transformation.
Speaking before a high-powered audience of African finance leaders, global investors, and policymakers, at the ongoing 4th Annual Meeting of the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF) in Abuja, Umar-Sadiq called on sovereign funds across the continent to embrace a broader, dual role—one that balances the rigour of wealth preservation with the urgency of driving sustainable, inclusive development.
“We are not merely fund managers, but nation builders, market-makers, and indeed catalysts of trust,” he said, in what became the thematic centre of the day’s proceedings.
The ASIF summit, holding under the theme “Leveraging African Sovereign Wealth Funds to Mobilise Global Capital for Transformative Development in Africa,” is taking place at a time when Africa is seeking to position itself more firmly in global capital markets.
In his opening speech, Umar-Sadiq outlined a strategic framework through which African sovereign wealth funds can transition from passive investors into active global players.
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The strategy is anchored on three key objectives: the need to strike a balance between bold, catalytic investments and long-term wealth protection; the creation of vehicles that can mobilise international capital while delivering both commercial and social returns; and the repositioning of African funds as credible, strategic partners of choice for institutional investors worldwide.
“Our focus,” he said, “is on how Africa Sovereign Wealth Funds, through effective domestic, continental, and global partnerships, can achieve three objectives.”
These include becoming both “risk-takers saddled with the responsibility of catalysing economic impact” and “conservative investors managing wealth for our future generations”; co-creating sustainable investment platforms that appeal to both financial and developmental priorities; and establishing themselves as partners with the “right blend of domestic influence and capital” to attract global investors.
The summit, hosted by NSIA and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, convened top-tier representatives from sovereign funds, development finance institutions, and global capital partners.
Attendees included Wale Edun, finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy, Jumoke Oduwole, industry, trade and investment minister, Benedict Oramah, President Afreximbank, as well as leaders from , Africa50, and Africa Finance Corporation.
A number of strategic and investment agreements are expected to be signed during the two-day meeting.
The NSIA chief’s speech underscored a growing shift in Africa’s investment posture—one that seeks to redefine the continent’s role in capital markets.
Umar-Sadiq’s stated clearly that rather than waiting on foreign investment decisions shaped in Washington, London, or Beijing, Africa is
now building the investment platforms and institutional muscle to originate its own opportunities, structure its own partnerships, and align growth with local impact.
“It is rare that we have in one room the policymakers who shape our regulations, the capital providers who take calculated risks, the entrepreneurs who create groundbreaking projects, and the DFIs who unlock financing,” he said, describing the forum as a convergence point for execution, not just dialogue.
He underscored trust and credibility as among Africa’s most underutilised assets, noting the opportunity for sovereign wealth funds to serve as co-investors and de-risking partners.
“How we can position ourselves as the preferred financial and strategic partners of choice — with the right blend of domestic influence and capital for global investors seeking market exposure in our respective countries,” he asked.
Umar-Sadiq urged a purpose-driven action. “The true value of our efforts lies not only in the capital we attract, but more importantly in the lives we impact and the opportunities we create for future generations,” he said.
