AVCA Conference

28 April – 2 May 2025
Lagos Continental Hotel

64

Days

2

Hrs

:

 

11

Mins

Formats

PE Conference

Registration 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

8:50 am - 9:15 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Abi Mustapha-Maduakor Chief Executive Officer, AVCA

9:15 am - 9:40 am

Opening Keynote Address

9:40 am - 9:45 am

Morning Chair Introduction

9:45 am - 10:15 am

Macro Trends, Micro Impacts: The Global Ripple Effect on Private Capital

Global economic shifts are reshaping private capital markets, with geopolitical developments, financial market volatility, and evolving regulations influencing every stage of the investment lifecycle, from fundraising to deal-making and portfolio management. As the opening session of the conference, this data-driven fireside interview explores the interplay between macro trends and micro impacts, examining how global economic shifts translate into localised investment dynamics. Investors will gain practical insights on how to navigate uncertainty, mitigate risks, and capitalise on emerging opportunities, ensuring agility in an evolving global financial landscape.

10:15 am - 11:15 am

Panel 1: Against the Current – The Realities of Private Capital in Africa

Setting the stage for the conference, this panel begins with a conversation on the current state of the market, discussing how global macroeconomic forces such as inflation, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical shifts are shaping private capital flows across Africa. Panellists will discuss the nuances of investing in Africa, comparing its private capital industry to other emerging markets and highlighting the region’s competitive advantages. This discussion will uncover bright spots and emerging opportunities and offer strategic insights to fund managers for navigating today’s complex environment.

11:15 am - 11:45 am

Network, Network, Network!

11:45 am - 12:30 pm

Panel 2: Bold Moves: Redefining Fund Structures and LP Relations

In today’s investment climate, private equity fund structures are increasingly evolving to meet changing market conditions and challenging investor demands. This panel challenges the conventional GP-LP model adopted by fund managers in Africa and explores the question – does the US private equity model work for Africa? Panellists will discuss the transformative potential of innovative, alternative fund structures and explore their suitability to address the diverse needs of the continent while driving alignment between investors and fund managers. With insights from successful case studies, this session will spark a creative dialogue about reshaping private capital practices in Africa to drive sustainable industry growth.

12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

Panel 3: The Secondaries Surge: Liquidity & Portfolio Optimisation

The Secondaries Surge: Liquidity & Portfolio Optimisation For funds nearing their end life, the secondaries market is increasingly becoming a popular mechanism for achieving liquidity for investors while enabling fund managers to retain high performing assets. Over time, the secondaries market has evolved, offering attractive products from continuation funds and single asset secondaries to LP Stake and Portfolio Sales. This panel explores the growing role of GP and LP-led secondary transactions in Africa, exploring how these strategies can unlock liquidity, drive portfolio optimization, and support market consolidation. Drawing from experience, panellists will share insights on structuring successful secondary deals and discuss the challenges associated with these transactions.

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking Lunch

2:00 pm - 2:05 pm

Afternoon Chair Introduction

2:05 pm - 2:30 pm

Fireside Chat: Titans of Industry: Bold Moves

In the complex, ever-evolving and often muddy terrain of fundraising, the journey to a successful fund close is far from linear. This panel convenes fund managers of all currencies, shapes (vehicles) and sizes to share proven strategies and innovative approaches that contributed to their fundraising success - from crafting compelling narratives to navigating market dynamics, and managing investor expectation. However, successfully closing a fund is only the first of many steps in the intricate process of managing and sustaining a successful fund. The panel also adopts a forward-looking lens, discussing strategies to build trust, credibility, and cultivate lasting investor relationships that go beyond final close.

2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

Panel 4: Partnerships for Progress: Blended Finance

This panel brings together diverse pool of capital providers, from DFIs and philanthropic funds to commercial investors to explore the critical need to blend Africa’s capital stack. Panellists will discuss the need to diversify the sources of capital, the role of blended finance in mitigating risks and driving optimal returns for investors and their roles in crafting innovative financing structures. Panellists will discuss an ideal blended finance structure for Africa, share insights on designing blended finance products (including the use of first-loss tranches); and share strategies for mobilizing capital from varied sources.

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm

Network, Network, Network!

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm

Panel 5: Think Local, Grow Local

While the pool of capital allocators in Africa has grown over the years, local capital remains an untapped resource with significant potential to unlock liquidity in Africa. This panel explores how the industry can mitigate exchange rate risks, enhance market resilience and bridge the funding gap by tapping into local currency. Discussions will revolve around opportunities best suited to local currency financing in Africa and the nuances of local currency financing structures. Drawing from their experiences raising local currency funds, panellists will examine the pool of local LPs driving these initiatives and explore strategies to expand local capital participation in African private equity.

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Panel 6: Family Fortunes Powering 10x in Africa

Continuing the discussion on widening the capital stack, this panel discusses the growing strategic role of family offices, both as allocators and direct investors in Africa’s private capital ecosystem. With their growing shift towards alternative assets, Family Offices are emerging as a critical source of funding in Africa. Panellists will share insights into attracting Family Office capital and explore how Family Offices are deploying capital strategically to catalyse impactful investments, foster innovation and create long-term value across the continent.

5:00 pm - 5:05 pm

Closing Remarks

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Pre-Gala Dinner Reception

7:30 pm - onwards

Gala Dinner

*The AVCA Conference is complimentary for qualified Limited Partners (LPs), classified as non-retail investors in private equity funds, limited to 3 complimentary passes per organisation. This includes full-time employees of development finance institutions (DFIs), endowments, single-family offices, insurance companies, public and private pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds.