November 15, 2012/ FBN Capital

Over the last decade, the nation has had to pursue several reforms as respective governments sought to address challenges in the economy, infrastructure, governance, education, and healthcare, among others.

While some measure of success has been recorded across several sectors, analysts suggest that achieving long-term and sustainable outcomes from reforms would require unwavering commitment and collaboration among all stakeholders.

Conference, seminars and workshops have since become strategic tools in achieving mass stakeholder participation in driving the success of reforms in Nigeria. Last year, FBN Capital, the investment banking and asset management business of the First Bank Group initiated an annual investors’ conference designed to serve as a platform for inspiring discussions that would facilitate economic growth and development.

Managing Director/CEO of FBN Capital, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe, explains that outcomes from last year’s conference have contributed immensely to the discussion on boosting Nigeria’s image as a foremost destination for investments in sub-Saharan Africa through deepening Nigerian capital markets, improving access to unlisted companies as well as highlighting capital-raising and growth opportunities.

“At our maiden conference last year, we facilitated discussions on Nigeria’s aspirations and journey to becoming a recognised emerging market country via the theme From BRICs to BRINCs: A Real Conversation. This year we are taking the conversations further,” he adds.

Scheduled to hold at the Federal Palace Hotel from November 15 – 16, 2012, this year’s conference themed: “Catalysts for Growth: A Pragmatic Approach” will focus on identifying quick wins and medium-term expectations from the ongoing reforms in Nigeria. Invited headliners include Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister for Finance; Mr Segun Aganga, Honorable Minister of Trade and Investment; His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State;  and Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The conference will host panel sessions with captains of industry from the real estate, infrastructure and oil services sectors, discussing the emerging opportunities and the extent to which government reforms and movements at the macro level are impacting their outlook. There will also be a dedicated session on the power sector, given its pivotal role as a potential enabler of growth, and ongoing efforts to transform the sector. 

 Experts say the focus areas of the conference, such as the economy, power and agriculture are critical to sustaining expected outcomes of ongoing reforms. According to Mr. Segun Adeleye, President/CEO, World Stage Group, organizers of the Annual World Stage National Power Conference and Exhibition, discussions on power at the conference would help all stakeholders consolidate on the gains so far recorded and adequately dimension the journey ahead.

“The power sector reform is at a critical state following the recent announcement of the successful bidders for the power plants and distribution companies. Both the investors and the capital market are waiting as the big picture unfolds. This is the best time for investors to be in Nigeria,” he said.

Other issues of national economic interest that will be discussed during the conference are; Oil and gas sector growth: the contributions of indigenous services firms; Unlocking the value in Nigerian brick and mortar; Commercializing investment opportunities across the agriculture value chain; Boosting investor confidence in the Nigerian equities and fixed income markets; Attracting sustainable foreign investments into Nigeria (tapping into global emerging markets) and Transforming Nigeria at the state level.

It is expected that through the conference, leading local and international institutional investors will interact with key policy makers, regulators and management teams of leading corporate institutions to dialogue on how best to realise existing and potential opportunities in the economy.