PE Tech Report

NEWSLETTER

Like this article?

Sign up to our free newsletter

AVCA adds to Board of Directors

The African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) has appointed Olusola Lawson to its Board of Directors. 

Lawson is currently co-Managing Director at Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) and brings more than 16 years of corporate finance and infrastructure equity investment experience to AVCA. Lawson’s appointment to the Board of Directors comes following the retirement of former AIIM CEO Jurie Swart from the company and the AVCA Board.  
 
As a Board Member, Lawson will advise AVCA on the strategic challenges and opportunities emerging through the post-COVID recovery period and build the organisation’s position and voice to champion the role of the PE and VC industry in enabling African economies to leverage innovation and “build back better”.
 
Lawson has played a leading role in the growth of AIIM’s pan-African investment activities since founding the Lagos office in Nigeria in 2011. He was responsible for originating, executing and managing more than USD500 million in equity investments in the digital infrastructure, power, renewables, midstream and transportation sectors across Africa. This includes the co-development, construction and successful exit of the Azura Power project in Nigeria, the first project-financed power deal to close in Nigeria in 20 years.
 
Currently, Lawson serves as a Director on the AIIM Board and is a member of the Executive Committee and the Business Review Group of Old Mutual Alternative Investments. Olusola is also a member of the AIIM Investment Committees, namely AIIF3 and IDEAS.
 
‘Tokunboh Ishmael, Chair of the AVCA Board, says: “We would like to thank Jurie for his five years of service to AVCA and congratulate him on his retirement. Jurie played a key role in cementing our reputation as the leading industry body and representing the interests of our members. We are confident that Olusola will be a valuable addition to our Board. His extensive experience in African and European markets, particularly within the infrastructure sector, will add substantial value to AVCA and its members. I look forward to working with him to unlock the potential of private capital to power Africa’s post-COVID recovery and growth.”
 
Prior to serving on several portfolio company boards including Lekki Toll Road, Azura Power and Starsight Power Utilities, Olusola worked as an Investment Manager in Macquarie Group’s European Infrastructure Funds team in London. At Macquarie, he worked on various European infrastructure transactions in a principal capacity while playing a key role in portfolio company management, primarily in the petrochemical storage and transportation sectors.
 
Lawson says: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of AVCA through its Board. AVCA has played a key role in facilitating and championing the industry’s role in growing local economies, creating jobs and bringing prosperity to the African continent.”

Like this article? Sign up to our free newsletter

MOST POPULAR

FURTHER READING

Featured