The Architecture of African Capital: Pension Funds, Connected Exchanges and the Diaspora Capital
The 4th Eastern Africa Association Annual Lecture (The John Small Lecture) takes place on Monday, 12 October 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Royal Overseas League, St James’s Street, London. The Lecture will be followed by a private networking reception at the CPA Room, House of Commons, co-hosted with the Westminster Africa Business Group, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
This year’s Lecture will examine how pension assets, diaspora capital and African exchanges can be better aligned to mobilise long-term, local-currency equity for infrastructure and economic growth.
The programme will feature a keynote lecture, responding panels and an Oxford-style debate, bringing together senior representatives from capital markets, pension funds, development finance institutions, regulators, exchanges, institutional investors and listed companies. Discussions will be held under the Chatham House Rule.
Partners & Sponsors
Wish to be a sponsor at the event, contact us at: info@eaa-lon.co.uk
Registration, working lunch and networking
Royal Overseas LeagueKeynote Lecture
Royal Overseas LeagueResponding Panel: DFIs, pension funds, IFCs, regulators, capital markets authorities, listed- company investors and exchanges
Royal Overseas LeagueA conversation among market practitioners on the structures, incentives, and investor protections required to move African capital into African growth.
Health Break
Royal Overseas LeaguePresentation: From Opportunity to Bankability: Building Investable African Projects
An examination of what it takes to move an African business or infrastructure opportunity from a compelling idea to a project that institutional, development finance, pension, diaspora and international capital can confidently consider. The session moves the discussion from capital supply to investable opportunity.
Oxford-Style Debate. Motion: “This House believes that playing it safe is Africa's biggest risk”
Royal Overseas LeagueA deliberately provocative proposition to close the formal program. The proposition will be tested from both sides.
Closing Reflections: What should happen next?
Royal Overseas LeagueWhat needs to change? Who needs to act? What can be done now?
House of Commons Drinks Reception
House of CommonsThe lecture will be followed by a private reception co-hosted by the Eastern Africa Association and the Westminster Africa Business Group. The reception provides an opportunity for continued discussion between business leaders, investors, parliamentarians, diplomats, and members of the wider Africa–UK business community. The evening conversation will consider London's relationship with East African capital markets and Kenya's potential role within the region's evolving financial architecture.
Speakers
Abi Ajayi
Head of Primary Markets – Middle East and Africa, London Stock Exchange
Agnes Gitau
Executive Director, Eastern Africa Association
Bilal Sassa
Head of Global Business, AXYS
Dr Vera Songwe
Chair of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and a Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution
Dr. Joseph Macharia Kihuro
Development Finance & Banking Executive
Elise Donovan
Chief Executive Officer, BVI Finance
Finn Walker
Managing Partner, Heron Partners
Jeremy Lefroy
Director, EFT Africa Ltd
Michel Guy-Rivalland
Executive Chairman, AXYS
Thapelo Tsheole
CEO, Afrinex Exchange
Yetunde Okafor
Head, Legal & Regulatory, Swift Telephone Network Ltd
Past Events
Venue Info
Royal Overseas League, St James’s Street, London.
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