ADF and WEF young global leaders convene in Lagos to advance continental investment and industrial scale

On Friday, 11 September 2026, a distinguished assembly of industrial leaders, capital market executives, and international delegates convened at Access Tower in Lagos for the Finance and Investment segment of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) / World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leaders Africa-Diaspora Leadership Programme.

This high-profile gathering, which followed a thorough site visit to the Dangote Refinery, centered on the creation of innovative funding mechanisms, the strengthening of capital markets, and the promotion of equity involvement in large-scale projects across Africa. Hosted by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, alongside distinguished leaders like Zouera Youssoufou and Murat Erden, the event aimed to address the crucial transition from short-term financing to long-term asset creation.

Aig-Imoukhuede emphasized that "audacious projects redefine national logistics and foreign exchange dynamics," stressing the need for continuous, structured execution among emerging African and diaspora leaders to build enduring institutions. Temi Popoola, MD/CEO of NGX Group, underscored the urgency of broad-based investor participation, stating that deepening domestic capital markets and expanding asset ownership are pivotal for sustainable economic transformation, enabling local value retention and wealth creation across the continent.

The discussions from this session will contribute to international working groups convened during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) week in New York, forming a sustained framework for engaging diaspora capital and global institutional investors.