On Friday, November 21, the prestigious Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi became the epicenter of Nigeria’s financial elite as CFG Africa hosted its highly anticipated Client Engagement Forum 2025. The exclusive annual gathering welcomed strategic investors, business leaders, and high-net-worth individuals for an evening of insight, analysis, and high-level networking.
The ambience reflected curated sophistication, a setting where purposeful conversations, private deal-making, and strategic relationship building flowed seamlessly. This atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for the event’s theme:
“2026 in Focus: Opportunities for Growth, Navigating Uncharted Terrains.”
A Data-Driven Outlook for 2026
Setting the analytical tone was keynote speaker Prof. Bongo Adi, Professor of Economics and Data Analytics at Lagos Business School. Prof. Adi delivered a comprehensive evaluation of Nigeria’s reform agenda, emphasizing the urgent need for tighter coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to unlock tangible, sustainable economic growth in 2026.
The event also highlighted the integrated strength of the CFG Africa group, combining the expertise of:
- CFG Maynard – Brokerage and investment banking
- CFG Asset Management – Wealth and fund management
Together, they deliver end-to-end, research-backed investment strategies tailored to evolving market realities.
Launch of the CFG Ethical Fund
A major highlight of the forum was the introduction of the CFG Ethical Fund, a N1,000,000,000 actively managed, open-ended unit trust priced at N1,000 per unit.
Fund Structure
- Fund Manager: CFG Asset Management Limited
- Trustee: AVA Trustees Limited
- Sharia Adviser: One17 Capital
- Custodian: Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited (RMBN)
- Registrar: Cardinal Stone Registrars Limited
Designed to deliver steady, ethical income, the fund invests exclusively in Sukuk and other Sharia-compliant assets, adhering strictly to Islamic finance principles. It avoids interest-based and prohibited sectors while offering balanced exposure across Sukuk, fixed income, and approved equities, reducing risk and enhancing long-term stability.
Addressing the audience, Babajide Lawani, GMD/CEO of CFG Africa, emphasized the firm’s client-centered philosophy built on partnership, security, and deep market insight. He described CFG as “market powered”, delivering competitive returns anchored in rigorous risk management and thorough research.
This approach, he noted, provides clients with confidence to maintain and even elevate their lifestyles despite a fluid economic climate. He further highlighted CFG’s position as an enabler of enterprise expansion, offering advisory support for large-scale ventures across sectors including healthcare, defense, real estate, and capital raises.
Expert Panel: Navigating 2026 with Precision
The intellectual momentum continued with a high-impact Expert Panel Session featuring:
- Adekunle Adeoba (DMD, CFG Africa)
- Arnold Dublin-Green
- Oluwatosin Ojo
- Olatunji Fafemi
The panelists delivered strategic global market insights, urging investors to monitor the U.S. yield curve as a critical indicator of recessionary risk.
Their consensus highlighted two essential strategies for preserving capital and lifestyle in 2026:
- Aggressive diversification
- Leveraging professionally managed investment funds
About CFG Africa
CFG Africa is an investment banking group known for delivering innovative and secure financial solutions across key market segments. Its subsidiaries—CFG Asset Management, CFG Maynard, and CFG Africa Trustees operate as an integrated platform offering clients a holistic investment experience.
Guided by a “safety before profit” philosophy, CFG prioritizes capital preservation through high-quality instruments such as government securities, top-grade commercial papers, and placements with leading financial institutions.
For more information, visit: www.cfgafrica.com
