Africa Capital Week: Agama, Efosa-Austin Push Capital Mobilisation, Energy Financing for Economic Growth
The Director-General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, and Lead, Business Performance & JV Assets at NNPC Ltd, Olamide Efosa-Austin, were among key African voices at the inaugural Africa Capital Week 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 7 to 11.
The five-day forum, hosted at the Argyle Grand Hotel under the theme, “Deepening Capital Markets to Advance Africa’s Economic Sovereignty,” brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, capital-market operators and business leaders to explore strategies for mobilizing financing for Africa’s infrastructure, energy and economic development.
The event focused on strengthening the connection between capital, credible institutions, investment-ready projects and sustainable economic growth, with discussions examining the role of domestic capital mobilization, regulatory cooperation and investor confidence in deepening Africa’s financial markets.
Speaking at the forum, SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama highlighted the importance of stronger capital markets in unlocking financing for development and improving Africa’s economic resilience. His intervention reinforced the need for greater collaboration among African capital markets and improved investor confidence to support infrastructure and long-term economic transformation.
At the Capital for Renewable Energy & Climate Change session, NNPC’s Olamide Efosa-Austin advocated an integrated approach to financing Africa’s energy future.
Efosa-Austin argued that the continent’s energy transition should not be framed as a choice between conventional and renewable energy, stressing the importance of an approach that supports industrialization, energy security, job creation and economic growth.
“Africa does not have the luxury of an either/or energy transition,” she said.
She called for greater mobilization of domestic and institutional capital alongside international investment, noting the need to increase Africa’s share of global energy financing and ensure that capital deployed on the continent creates long-term economic value.
The discussions reflected the broader challenge of connecting Africa’s available capital with credible, investment-ready projects capable of generating productive economic activity.
A key outcome of the forum was the Nairobi Declaration 2026, which outlines commitments around regulatory cooperation, greater integration of African securities exchanges, the development of an Africa Bankable Projects Pipeline and the mobilization of institutional capital for infrastructure.
The declaration reinforces the need for stronger financial integration and more effective capital deployment across the continent.The organizers also announced that Africa Capital Week will become an annual continental platform, with subsequent editions hosted on a rotational basis across African countries.
The inaugural gathering marked a step towards strengthening the connection between African capital and investment opportunities, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of deeper financial markets in advancing economic development and sovereignty.
