At the 2026 Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Staff Retreat, held under the theme The Africa We Build, one voice stood out for its clarity, insight, and unflinching honesty. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, investor, banker, philanthropist in a panel session blended realism with aspiration, challenging staff, board members, and stakeholders to rethink Africa’s trajectory, the nature of leadership, and the role of institutions in shaping sustainable growth.
From the outset, Aig-Imoukhuede set a tone that was both sobering and hopeful. He framed the retreat not as a moment to reflect on past accolades, but as a call to action. The Africa of the next decade, he cautioned, will not be defined by slogans, goodwill, or optimism alone. It will be shaped by disciplined leadership, deeply held values, and the willingness to make difficult trade-offs in the face of uncertainty.
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Drawing on AFC’s own journey as a pan-African development finance institution, as well as his personal experience as a first-generation entrepreneur, pioneering investor, and leader in African banking, Aig-Imoukhuede highlighted the difference between ambition and execution. “Vision may attract capital,” he noted, “but governance retains it, and execution compounds it.” In a world where global certainty is eroding and investors are increasingly cautious, these principles are no longer optional; they are essential.
Central to his message was the idea that AFC operates in a unique space: managing capital not as an abstract financial exercise, but as a lever for tangible transformation. “If we exist,” he asserted, “lives must be better because of it.” This moral imperative, he explained, gives AFC both purpose and long-term relevance. Every project, every investment, and every strategic decision must translate into measurable impact for the communities and economies it touches.
Aig-Imoukhuede also spoke candidly about the shifting nature of global power. The rules-based systems that once offered smaller and developing economies a measure of predictability are weakening. Multilateralism is under strain, geopolitical risks are rising, and traditional safety nets are eroding. In this context, Africa can no longer rely on external forces to shape its success. Leadership, he emphasized, must be proactive, competent, and value-driven. Complacency, mediocrity, and short-term thinking are luxuries the continent can no longer afford.
He framed The Africa We Build not as a romantic ideal but as a practical, action-oriented project. Africa’s next chapter, he suggested, will reward those who combine long-term thinking with integrity, foresight, and the courage to make hard decisions. Growth without responsibility, he warned, ultimately undermines trust and erodes the very institutions that are essential for sustainable development.
Throughout his address, Aig-Imoukhuede highlighted concrete opportunities for transformative impact, particularly in industrial-scale energy and infrastructure projects. He spoke of building ecosystems, not just individual assets; of cities, value chains, industries, and jobs that can collectively drive billions of dollars in GDP growth if approached with coordination, vision, and disciplined execution. These examples underscored his belief that Africa’s potential is not abstract or speculative, but attainable when leadership aligns around shared goals and long-term outcomes.
Yet, despite the optimism, Aig-Imoukhuede’s message was resolutely sober. “This is not an era for second chances,” he said. The margin for error is shrinking, the stakes are higher, and the cost of poor decisions is rising. Africa’s success will depend on whether its institutions are led by their best people, guided by strong values, and willing to act decisively even amid uncertainty.
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The retreat, attended by AFC staff, board members, and key stakeholders, was punctuated by discussions on practical applications of these principles. From risk management to strategic investment decisions, from governance frameworks to project execution, Aig-Imoukhuede’s address provided both the moral and intellectual compass for AFC’s operations in the years ahead. His words reinforced the idea that AFC is not merely a financier of projects, but a builder of enduring systems, standards, and institutional excellence across Africa.
By the close of the retreat, The Africa We Build had emerged less as a distant aspiration and more as an active responsibility. Through deliberate leadership, disciplined execution, and a commitment to measurable impact, Africa’s future is not something to wait for; it is something to construct, decision by decision, leader by leader, and institution by institution.
In the final analysis, Aig-Imoukhuede’s address left attendees with a clear takeaway: the Africa of tomorrow will not be granted; it will be deliberately built. And for AFC, its mandate goes beyond financing projects; it is about shaping the frameworks, cultivating the talent, and instilling the values that will make lasting transformation possible across the continent.
