Africonomie to deepen pension, sovereign funds investments for capital infrastructure projects

Chuks Udo Okonta

 

How pension assets and sovereign funds can be deplored to transform the economy, especially in enhancing social mobility through wealth creation and aiding capital infrastructure projects, will be the focus in the forthcoming Nigeria Pension and Sovereign Funds Forum being put together by United Kingdom based firm Africonomie.

The event which is billed for Wednesday – Thursday (21 – 22) May, in Lagos, will provide an avenue for professionals in the pension, investment, insurance and other sectors to brainstorm how to transform the nation leveraging the funds from these sectors.

A statement by Partner, Africonomie Stanley Austin, said the creation of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority has increased the appetite for foreign investments in the country significantly, adding that stable economic growth prospects and improved investor confidence have enhanced the global perception of Nigeria’s investment landscape.

He noted that the reform of pension system in Nigeria has yielded a robust pool of pension assets that is currently estimated at about $23 billion and that improved legal and governance framework has helped increased registration to fewer than 6 million members, and an accumulation of about $ 23 Billion.

“These developments raise certain questions — growing pension assets — how can employers and regulators encourage employees to invest pension savings? The role of the newly created Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) in mortgage financing, what impact does the growth in pension assets having on financial and non-bank financial institutions? How can the national sovereign wealth fund enhance social mobility through wealth creation? What measures are required to facilitate pensions and sovereign funds investments into capital infrastructure projects? And how best can the industry support the evolving role of pension fund administrators (PFAs) as institutional investors?,” he said.

He noted that Africonomie Nigeria Forum is an industry led invite-only forum designed to discuss and debate key issues and challenges impacting pension & sovereign funds, institutional real estate and private equity investment in Nigeria.

Austin said the forum provides a unique platform for senior executives to discuss and debate the economic environment, investment landscape and national wealth management, through a series of panels, open debates and limited keynotes, stressing that the forum will address the vital issues affecting those charged with managing the national wealth, from the macro environment to technical issues of portfolio and risk management.

“The benefits of attending are clear, with international and regional forums designed to bring together high profile delegates in Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi, London - UK, New York - US and Dubai - UAE).

“This is the only investment series that truly takes a global perspective to addressing contemporary issues impacting investment fund and investment professionals doing business in Africa. The forum provides the opportunity to make new acquaintances and renew old friendships,” he added.