In a strong show of commitment to Africa-led growth, His Excellency

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has today in Abuja declared the 4th Annual Meeting of the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF), emphasizing the need for collective action and regional cooperation among African countries to achieve transformative development.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu  reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to lead the continent’s economic transformation through targeted reforms and catalytic investment platforms while also 

underscoring the administration’s priority on regional collaboration and innovative capital mobilisation. 

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, is hosting the meeting beginning from June 15–17, in Abuja.

Held under the theme *Leveraging African Sovereign Wealth Funds to Mobilise Global Capital for Transformative Development*, the gathering brings together sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and policymakers from 17 African nations—supported by strategic partners such as China Investment Corporation and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Ealier, in his  remarks, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun called for a shift from stabilization to strategic investment, positioning sovereign wealth funds as engines of economic transformation. 

*Africa must lead its own industrialization. By mobilizing domestic capital and aligning with global partners, we can move from a future defined by potential to one built on performance,* he stated.

The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s trailblazing efforts in developing innovative financing models such as the NSIA-backed Infrastructure Debt Fund, the Green Guarantee Company, and a landmark US-dollar domestic bond issuance, as clear signals of Nigeria’s investment readiness.

Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director and CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), echoed this ambition:

*NSIA is honoured to host sovereign wealth funds from across the continent… By uniting our collective resources, African sovereign wealth funds can become a formidable catalyst for transformative growth, economic resilience, and long-term prosperity,* he said 

He highlighted pioneering initiatives like the Infrastructure Debt Fund, the Green Guarantee Company, and the US-dollar domestic bond issuance as clear evidence of Nigeria’s investment leadership.

The summit also marked the launch of the ASIF Investment Platform, a flagship vehicle designed to unlock high-impact, cross-border investments in infrastructure, renewables, manufacturing, and healthcare.

For Nigeria’s private sector, ASIF 2025 signals a new era—de-risking mega-projects, anchoring blended finance, and creating fertile ground for investor-led growth across Africa.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is aware of recent media reports concerning a potential forward sale of crude oil involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

While market speculation is not uncommon in the context of ongoing economic reforms and transactions, no final decision has been announced by the Government, and commentary suggesting the collapse of any such initiative is unfounded.

The Government remains focused on deploying a range of innovative, transparent, and fiscally responsible financing strategies to optimise Nigeria’s oil assets, improve external liquidity, and strengthen macroeconomic stability.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through a landmark $50 million investment in the *Nigeria Wholesale Impact Investment Fund (WIIF), anchoring the fund’s first close at $100 million. This strategic initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of achieving 7% annual economic growth, with a focus on critical sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, and digital innovation.  

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today hosted a high-level delegation comprising leadership from the Impact Investors Foundation (IIF), the Global Steering Group (GSG) for Impact Investment, and key private-sector stakeholders. The meeting, attended by Mrs. Ibukun Awosika (Chairman, IIF/GSG), Mr. Wale Adeosun (CEO, Kuramo Capital), Ms. Sanyade Okoli (Special Adviser to the President on Finance & Economy), and Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya (Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance), underscored the government’s resolve to leverage impact investment as a catalyst for job creation and poverty alleviation.  

During the session, stakeholders reviewed the operational framework for the WIIF and agreed on actionable next steps, including structured engagement with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) to finalise the fund’s drawdown schedule. Further discussions will explore innovative financing mechanisms, including government guarantees, to enhance private-sector participation. Additionally, the WIIF will be strategically aligned with the African Development Bank (AfDB)-supported Youth Entrepreneurship Bank to amplify opportunities for young entrepreneurs.  

The Honourable Minister of Finance commended the collaborative efforts, stating:  

“This partnership exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s economic priorities. We are committed to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and measurable impact in deploying these resources to benefit all Nigerians.”  

The initiative is projected to unlock significant financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and generate millions of jobs across priority sectors.