– President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)
Samaila Zubairu is a Nigerian finance executive and visionary leader with over three decades of experience in infrastructure investment, industrialization, and economic transformation across Africa. Since 2018, he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), where he has championed African value capture, job creation, and sustainable development.
Career Highlights
-
Africa Finance Corporation (2018–Present)
-
Doubled AFC’s country membership and tripled investments.
-
Oversaw the largest renewable energy acquisition on the continent.
-
More than doubled profits by year-end 2023.
-
Positioned AFC as a leader in clean energy, industrialization, and infrastructure financing.
-
Under his leadership, AFC received multiple accolades:
-
Pan-African Champion – Africa CEO Forum Awards (2024)
-
Financial Adviser of the Year – IJ Investor Awards (2024)
-
Local Impact Champion – Africa CEO Forum Awards (2023)
-
Equity Deal of the Year – African Banker Awards (2023)
-
DFI of the Year for Europe & Africa – Infrastructure Journal Global Awards (2022)
-
-
Honored as African CEO of the Year – AsiaOne Magazine Awards.
-
-
Dangote Cement Plc
-
Pioneer Chief Financial Officer.
-
Launched Africa’s largest syndicated project finance facility.
-
Directed the unbundling of Dangote Industries Limited.
-
-
Africapital Management Limited
-
Partnered with AIIM to develop the Nigerian Infrastructure Investment Fund 1.
-
Global Engagement & Clean Energy Leadership
-
Co-Chair, World Economic Forum’s Network to Mobilize Clean Energy Investments in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs).
-
Spearheaded AFC’s clean energy investments, setting global benchmarks for climate action in emerging markets.
-
Delivered keynote addresses at the World Economic Forum and United Nations Climate Summits.
Professional Affiliations & Education
-
Eisenhower Fellow.
-
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
-
B.Sc. in Accounting – Ahmadu Bello University.
Key Legacy
Samaila Zubairu is recognized as one of Africa’s foremost champions of sustainable infrastructure and clean energy investment. His leadership at AFC has reshaped the continent’s development trajectory, driving industrialization, financial innovation, and climate-conscious growth. By mobilizing billions into transformative projects, he has reinforced Africa’s role as a global economic powerhouse.
