Olubusayo Adeniyi, CEO, Cedrus Group Africa, says bridging Africa’s infrastructure gap requires institutions with the capacity to connect capital, expertise and opportunities across borders.
He said Africa requires huge investment in financing its infrastructure development.
Speaking during the recent Energy Forum for Africa (EFFA) 2026, held in Lusaka, Zambia, Adeniyi said Cedrus’ participation at the forum underscored its engagement with regional investment opportunities, just as it seeks to extend its influence and partnerships across African markets.
Held under the theme ‘Driving a Borderless Energy Future for Africa,’ the forum, according to a statement, convened stakeholders and industry leaders to explore partnerships, financing models and infrastructure investments required to accelerate Africa’s energy transformation.
“As Cedrus marks five years, we are increasingly focused on the opportunities that exist beyond individual national markets. Our participation at EFFA reflects the direction in which we are building Cedrus.”
According to him, the group sponsored the session on ‘Mobilising Capital for Cross-Border Energy Projects: From Vision to Bankable Deals,’ which examined how African countries can bridge the gap between infrastructure development ambitions and the financing required to deliver commercially viable projects.
Adeniyi reiterated that Cedrus’s participation builds on its experience in facilitating financing initiatives within Nigeria’s energy sector, including its role in facilitating the cooperation framework between the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aimed at supporting investment in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.
According to him, Cedrus is positioning itself to facilitate investment opportunities and strategic partnerships across African markets, through its capabilities in investment banking, capital mobilisation and transaction structuring.
In the statement, Hope Chanda, the convener of EFFA 2026, highlighted the importance of financial institutions in advancing Africa’s regional energy ambitions.
“Africa’s energy future will depend not only on the projects we develop, but also on our ability to mobilise investment and build partnerships across borders.
“The participation of institutions such as Cedrus Group Africa is important because financing is central to translating regional energy ambitions into commercially viable projects that deliver lasting economic value,” Chanda said.
Seyi John Salau is a BusinessDay Correspondent with interest in development journalism, which tells stories that connect the people, brands, and the government. SeyiJohn is also a media professional with BSc, Mass Communition (ACU); Masters of School Media (MSM, Ibadan) & MSc, Mass Communication (Caleb).
