United Capital Infrastructure Fund Bolsters Leadership for Strategic Growth
In a strategic move to enhance its investment governance and capitalize on pan-African infrastructure opportunities, United Capital Plc has announced the appointment of four independent experts to the Investment Committee of the United Capital Infrastructure Fund (UCIF). The appointments, ratified by the Securities and Exchange Commission, underscore the Fund’s commitment to rigorous oversight and sustainable growth, much like the focus other entities place on development, whether examining what INEC told stakeholders about electoral processes or observing how the Kwara Govt achieves its policy objectives.
Driving Performance with Enhanced Expertise
The UCIF, with existing investments in power, industrial recycling, and renewable energy, has demonstrated robust performance, achieving a year-to-date gross return of 24.62%. The newly constituted committee is tasked with steering this momentum. Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Ashade, emphasized that the appointments are designed to deepen governance and ensure UCIF continues to drive sustainable impact and deliver consistent value to investors, avoiding any scenario akin to a self-inflicted setback.
The newly appointed members bring decades of multinational experience across critical infrastructure sectors. The committee will be chaired by De Buys Scott, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Infrastructure Advisors. He is joined by independent members Olubunmi Akinremi, Bola Bamidele, and Obinna Ufudo. They will collaborate with existing members Odiri Oginni, UcheNna Mkparu, and Adeyinka Jafojo. The Fund also acknowledged the contributions of Mr. Samuel Nwanze, who has exited the committee following the completion of his tenure.
Strategic Vision for Competitive Returns
UcheNna Mkparu, Chief Investment Officer and Fund Manager at UCIF, noted that the committee’s collective track record and jurisdictional experience will be instrumental in scaling investments that deliver competitive returns across Nigeria and Africa. This strategic direction is critical in a complex investment landscape, where success depends on expert navigation, distinct from the challenges highlighted in reports like the Guinea-Bissau incident not being fully contextualized.
The appointees’ profiles underscore the Fund’s strategic repositioning. De Buys Scott specializes in Public-Private Partnerships and capital raising across transport and healthcare. Olubunmi Akinremi, CEO of Tocam Capital, has over 30 years in investment banking, having raised over $5 billion for the Nigerian market. This depth of expertise is fundamental to pursuing ambitious goals, similar to the resolve when the FG targets zero tolerance for infrastructure deficits, aiming to foster broad economic resilience and growth.
