Woodhall Capital, Afreximbank Partner to boost intra-African trade at Pre-Investor Forum
Woodhall Capital, in partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation (OSSAP-IC), and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), recently convened a landmark event that brought together African leaders, investors, and financiers to accelerate capital mobilisation for subnational governments and strategic infrastructure projects.
The Pre-Investor Forum, held under the theme “Facilitating Intra-African Trade: Unlocking the Potential of African Direct Investments (ADI) and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Drive Trade and Sustainable Growth,” spotlighted the immense potential of Nigeria’s subnational governments to act as anchors for regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represented by Professor Dauda Yinusa, Executive Director, Policy, Strategy and Research; Alain-Thiery Mbongue, Chief Operating Officer & Head of Mission, Anglophone West Africa, Afreximbank; and the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).
The forum featured keynote addresses, investor-confidence panels, and investment dialogues focused on scaling regional competitiveness through innovation and financing.
A highlight of the event was the formal signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and partnership agreements between Woodhall Capital and Afreximbank.
The agreements included the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) Contract, which upgrades Woodhall Capital from a Market Maker Agreement to a Strategic Trade Corridor Partner, and the Creative Hub MoU between Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) and Woodhall Capital, aimed at financing Africa’s creative economy and transforming cultural assets into globally tradable investment classes.
Empowering Subnational Governments
The Pre-Investor Forum served as a platform for strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders and aligning strategies for attracting African and international investments.
Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, President of Woodhall Capital, reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to creating structured investment platforms that connect state-led development initiatives with domestic and international investors. She noted that “Africa’s growth story is increasingly subnational,” and that unlocking the potential of Nigerian states through strategic partnerships, policy alignment, and capital mobilisation is vital to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic transformation across the continent.
Unlocking Intra-African Trade
During her goodwill message, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Secretariat, highlighted PEBEC’s mission to make Nigeria a progressively easier place to do business.
She noted that beyond ease, the goal is competitiveness, creating the right policy environment, strengthening institutions, and building the trust that investors need to make long-term commitments.
Audu emphasized that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an unprecedented opportunity to expand markets, strengthen regional value chains, and position Africa as a competitive global player.
Afreximbank’s Commitment
During his keynote address, Alain-Thierry Mbongue, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Anglophone West Africa (AWAF), Afreximbank, highlighted Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting sub-sovereign leadership and promoting economic integration across Africa.
He noted that the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) has evolved into a continental movement, enabling cross-border partnerships, providing access to finance and investment readiness support, and linking local leaders directly to investors and trade opportunities.
Mbongue emphasized that development must be decentralized, beginning where the needs are most deeply felt, in cities, provinces, counties, and regions, and flowing outward to shape national and continental progress.
A New Era for Africa’s Economic Integration
The Pre-Investor Forum reinforced the collective resolve of governments, financiers, and investors to deepen Africa’s economic integration and position Nigeria as a leading hub for intra-African and global investment flows.
As the host of the event, Woodhall Capital continues to pioneer innovative frameworks that empower sub-sovereign entities to access long-term, sustainable capital.
The forum demonstrated the growing investor confidence in Nigeria, with a focus on policy reforms, public-private partnerships, and targeted funding strategies to unlock economic growth.
The event served as a prelude to the International Investors Forum to be held in London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, further solidifying Nigeria’s position as a key destination for investment and economic partnerships.