From Ambition to Execution — the Africa Capital Hub Advisory Board is here!

On April 22, 2025, during the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington DC, the Africa Capital Hub (ACH) held its Inaugural Advisory Board Meeting, coordinated by BwB. This gathering brought together a diverse group of leaders to steer the Hub’s mission: to unlock capital to advance Africa's development priorities.

Launched by BwB in collaboration with Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and UBS Optimus Foundation, ACH is a deal structuring and transaction support hub working to mobilise $1 billion by 2030 for sustainable, inclusive investments across the continent. It brings together governments, investors, and implementers to shape high-impact solutions and unlock capital at scale.

The Advisory Board marks a new phase for ACH — evolving from bold ambition into focused execution. The Board Members include:

• Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin (Chair) – UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda

• Dr. Vera Songwe – Chair and Founder, Africa Liquidity and Sustainability Facility

• Frannie Leautier – CEO, Southbridge

• Nick O’Donohoe CMG – Former CEO, British International Investment

• Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u, CBS – Former Minister of Finance, Kenya

• Jamal Saghir – Professor of Practice, Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University and Former Director, The World Bank

• Rupesh Madlani – CEO, BwB 

  
  

Observer Representatives:

• Faustina Fynn-Nyame – Executive Director Africa, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

• Patrick Nussbaumer – Strategic Partnerships Director, UBS Optimus Foundation

4 Key Takeaways from the Meeting:

• A Platform to Bridge the Capital Deployment Gap

  
  

ACH addresses a critical challenge: while capital exists, effectively deploying it at scale across Africa remains elusive. The Hub serves as a neutral catalyst to connect ambition with investable action.

• Early Momentum & Ground-Level Presence

  
  

Since its launch at AFIS in December 2024, ACH has secured a strong pipeline of activity with host governments in SDG-aligned sectors.

• Strategic Advisory, Regional Insight

  
  

The newly formed Advisory Board brings diverse expertise in finance, development, and systems thinking to guide ACH’s strategic direction and ensure its work remains grounded and impactful.

• From Proof-of-Concept to Systemic Impact

  
  

Investor interest in African markets is growing, especially in SDG-aligned sectors like agriculture, education, energy, health and infrastructure. ACH is poised to scale its work and catalyse investment where it’s needed most.

As ACH moves into its next phase, the Advisory Board is ready to amplify its reach, sharpen its strategy, and sustain momentum for the long term.

Read more about the Africa Capital hub here: https://www.ach.earth/