Coronation Group Champions Generational Wealth and Financial Innovation at Africa CEO Forum 2025

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Coronation Group reaffirmed its commitment to Africa’s economic transformation as a Gold Sponsor at the Africa CEO Forum 2025, held May 12–13 in Abidjan. The Forum convened over 2,000 business leaders, policymakers, and investors, including Heads of State such as H.E. Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), H.E. Paul Kagame (Rwanda), H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), and H.E. John Dramani Mahama (Ghana).

Leading Coronation’s delegation, Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede delivered a powerful keynote conversation titled “How Can African Family-Owned Businesses Shift from Survival to Legacy and Build Generational Champions?” Moderated by McKinsey Africa Chairman, Acha Leke, the session explored practical frameworks for governance, the role of values and character in succession, and the urgent need to rethink philanthropy as a core part of business legacy.

“Legacy is not merely about handing down assets; it is about transmitting values, vision, and responsibility,” said Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Coronation Group and Access Holdings. “If African family businesses are to build generational champions, we must treat succession as a duty, not an accident. We must teach not just wealth management, but character, discipline, and nation-building. Philanthropy should be intentional and strategic—it must be more than charitable acts; it should be part of a national development architecture.”

He further stressed that Africa’s transformation depends on a leadership class that embraces humility, vision, and a sense of duty to the continent.
Paul Abiagam, Acting CEO of Coronation Merchant Bank, contributed to a high-level panel session titled “Cost of Capital Crisis: How to Navigate a Disrupted Global Financial Order.” Sharing the stage with experts from Moody’s, Skykapital, and Bank of America, Abiagam provided insights on how financial institutions can mitigate risk exposure and unlock long-term financing.

“Access to affordable capital remains a structural hurdle for African businesses,” said Abiagam. “At Coronation, we are helping clients to navigate this complexity through long-term, blended capital structures and an emphasis on credit quality and transparency. We are deeply invested in transforming Africa’s capital markets from fragile to formidable.”

Ngozi Akinyele, Coronation Group’s Chief Brand Officer, reflected on the forum’s core theme: “Can a New Deal Between the State and the Private Sector Deliver?” She highlighted the importance of co-creation and accountability between both sectors.

“The big idea here is collaboration—not in theory, but in execution,” said Akinyele. “We need governments and private enterprises working not in parallel but in partnership. That is how you catalyse infrastructure, innovation, and impact. At Coronation, our role is to enable that partnership by providing the financial architecture for sustainable progress.”

Beyond the panels, Coronation hosted an exclusive private lunch in Abidjan attended by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama and other distinguished guests. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice-Chair of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, was also present, underscoring the importance of cross-sector engagement and philanthropic leadership in shaping Africa’s future.

Coronation’s active participation at the Africa CEO Forum 2025 signals its unwavering dedication to being a long-term prosperity partner. With an integrated presence across merchant banking, asset management, insurance, and registrar services, Coronation continues to build solutions that not only serve today’s generation of African entrepreneurs but equip the next with the tools to thrive.