Africa on horizon for Scottish businesses

Scottish investors have an opportunity to play a 'meaningful and lucrative' role in key African infrastructure projects, one of the continent's leading pension reformers will say this week.

Chinelo Anohu-Amazu is in Scotland this week. Picture: contributed

Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, the director general of the Nigerian National Pension Commission (PenCom), is set to deliver the keynote speech at the inaugural Scottish Business in Africa Forum tomorrow in Edinburgh. The event is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh Business School and the Royal African Society.

Anohu-Amazu, who became PenCom’s first female acting director general in December 2012 before being confirmed in the role, has seen pension fund assets grow from some $10 billion (£6.8bn) to $27bn under her tenure.

Speaking from London ahead of her visit to Scotland, Anohu-Amazu said: “This inaugural forum will bring to the fore what can be done with the pension funds.

“This is a growing industry and we are looking to put a lot more into infrastructure investments that will have a measurable impact on society at large.

“There will be a focus on Scottish businesses that are looking to invest or even just understand the nature of the investment opportunities… which can be meaningful and lucrative for all parties.”

The Sustainable Business Initiative also offers an opportunity for African businesses looking to invest and collaborate with Scottish industries. Wednesday’s event is due to take place at the Business School in Buccleuch Place.