Meet the Team

Samaila Zubairu

Samaila Zubairu, ONL, is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider. Over more than three decades, he has championed African value capture, job creation and industrialisation, mobilising billions of dollars into transformative infrastructure and productive assets across the continent.

Since assuming leadership of AFC in 2018, he has overseen one of the most significant periods of growth in the Corporation’s history. Membership has expanded from 19 to 48 countries, while total assets grew over 4x from US$4.1 billion to US$19.2 billion by the end of 2025. Total Comprehensive Income increased more than fourfold, from US$118 million in 2018 to over US$513 million in 2025. During this period, AFC has delivered landmark transactions across energy, transport, natural resources, telecommunications and heavy industry, including Africa’s largest renewable energy acquisition and the largest equity exit from an industrial platform through a private capital raise involving a Gulf conglomerate and African multilateral financial institutions.

Under Mr. Zubairu’s leadership, AFC has strengthened its position as one of Africa’s highest-rated multilateral financial institutions. The Corporation has maintained Moody’s A3 investment-grade rating while securing an ‘A’ long-term credit rating from S&P Global with a Positive Outlook, an A+ rating from Japan Credit Rating Agency and a AAA rating from China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. and S&P Global China, giving AFC investment-grade recognition across five major rating agencies.

AFC’s achievements under his stewardship have earned widespread international recognition. The Corporation has been named Best DFI – Europe & Africa at the Infrastructure Journal Global Awards and Pan-African Champion at the Africa CEO Forum Awards. In 2026 alone, AFC received thirteen international awards, including Best Borrower (EMEA) and Best Infrastructure Deal at the EMEA Project Finance Awards, recognising excellence across power, rail, natural resources and heavy industry. Mr. Zubairu was also named African CEO of the Year by AsiaOne Magazine and awarded Senegal’s highest national honour, the Ordre National du Lion – Commandeur.

Beyond AFC, Mr. Zubairu plays a leading role in shaping international development finance and investment policy. From 2025 to 2026, he served as Chairman of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), bringing together Africa’s leading multilateral financial institutions to advance the continent’s economic interests. During the same period, he co-chaired the B20 South Africa Task Force on Finance & Infrastructure, responsible for developing business-led policy recommendations for the G20. He also co-chairs the World Economic Forum Network to Mobilise Clean Energy Investment in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies and serves on the Center on Global Energy Policy and the Rockefeller Foundation High-Level Panel on Universal Energy Abundance.

Before joining AFC, Mr. Zubairu was the pioneer Chief Financial Officer of Dangote Cement Plc, where he structured Africa’s largest syndicated project finance facility and led the financial separation of Dangote Cement from Dangote Industries Limited. Earlier, at AfriCapital Management Limited, he advised on landmark infrastructure and energy transactions, including the acquisition of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc by West Power & Gas Limited.

Mr. Zubairu is an Eisenhower Fellow and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University.

Sanjeev SG Gupta

A veteran C suite level leader with 30+ years’ work in Strategy, Corporate Finance and M&A across Africa, MENA and India. Sanjeev currently serves as a Board Member across various companies, PE Funds and works as an Advisor to Family business owners globally. He has a wealth of experience in working across various industries in emerging markets and done significant M&A, Project Finance and Fund-raising work in Africa, GCC, ASEAN region, China and India.

His prior executive roles include Executive Board Member at Africa Finance Corporation, Managing Partner of Emerging Markets Center of Excellence at EY and, CEO of Sanlam Investment Management-Emerging Markets.

He is a Fellow Member of the ICAI (India), holds an AMP from the Oxford University Said Business School (UK) and an Executive MBA from MIT Sloan School. He actively counsels Students and young professionals. Mentors and lectures on diversity and cultural intelligence and leadership. An active speaker and writer on ‘Investing in Emerging Markets” and on “Cross-Cultural Management” issues.

He has been an Adjunct Professor and lectures at various universities, including, University of Oxford Said Business School, UCLA Anderson School of Management, University of Amsterdam Business School, Indian Institute of Management: Shillong, India, Virginia Military Institute, USA, Murdoch University, Dubai, and University of West Indies.

Sanjeev’s other areas of work and interests include; creator and anchor of CNBC Africa ‘Face to Face’ Show – a monthly telecast and Anchor of UAE Africa dialogues hosted from Dubai, UAE, a quarterly business show.

Dr. Kingsley Obiora

Dr. Kingsley Obiora is a distinguished economist and central banker with over two decades of national, regional, and global experience. He began his career at the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) in Accra, Ghana, before joining the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2007. Between 2011 and 2014, he served as Technical Adviser to Nigeria’s National Economic Management Team under President Goodluck Jonathan, advising on fiscal and macroeconomic policy. He later became Special Adviser on Economic Matters to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and subsequently returned to the IMF as Alternate Executive Director representing 23 African countries.

From 2020 to 2023, Dr. Obiora served as Deputy Governor for Economic Policy at the CBN, overseeing key departments such as research, monetary policy, and financial markets while managing over 1,000 staff, including more than 100 Ph.D. economists. He is credited with championing major policy initiatives, including leading the creation of Africa’s first Central Bank Digital Currency, the eNaira. His extensive board experience includes chairing the African Finance Corporation (AFC), the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), and the FMDQ Group PLC, among others. He also served on the boards of both the CBN and the IMF. Dr. Obiora currently serves as Senior Advisor to AfriCatalyst, a Dakar-based global development advisory firm, and also leads Economic Square LLC, a Washington, D.C.–based policy consulting firm, as Chief Economist and Managing Director.

Prof. Carlos Lopes

Carlos Lopes is a Professor at the Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, an Affiliate Professor at Sciences Po, Paris, a Foundation Fellow of the International Science Council, an ODI Senior Visiting Fellow, and a Chatham House Associate Fellow. In 2017, and again in 2022, he was a Visiting Fellow of the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.

He belongs to the boards of about a dozen institutions. Prof Lopes has occupied several leadership positions across the United Nations system, including Policy Director for Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

He is a member of the African Union Reform team and was designated in 2018 AU High Representative for Partnerships with Europe. He has served on several Global Commissions. Prof Lopes is an award winner widely published author, with over 20 edited or authored books and featured articles in main media vehicles. He was selected 25 times for the “most influential Africans” lists of New African, Jeune Afrique, Africa Report, Financial Afrik, and others.

Nena Stoilijkovic

Nena Stoiljkovic has over 30 years of experience in international development, blended finance, and humanitarian diplomacy. Currently serving as Under Secretary General at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), she oversees global partnerships, humanitarian diplomacy, and digitalization. In this role, she leads prominent engagements with the United Nations, European Union, African Union, governments and private sector partners globally.

Previously, Nena was Vice President for the Asia and Pacific Region at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she was responsible for the largest regional portfolio, overseeing strategy, investments, and advisory services. She also held senior global roles in IFC as Vice President for Blended Finance, Climate and Partnerships, and Co-Vice President for Client Services, managing IFC’s global investment program, blended finance initiatives, and advisory services. In 2013, at the World Bank Group, she co-led the creation of the new operating structure by establishing Global Practices and integrating the Group’s public and private sector strategy. She also led the establishment of a pioneering USD2 billion private sector window in IDA18 to catalyze greater private investment in low-income and conflict-affected countries.

Throughout her career, Nena has championed innovative finance, climate solutions, and private-public partnerships, with a strong focus on fragile and conflict-affected countries. She is recognized for her expertise in building cross-sectoral alliances, blended finance instruments in development and humanitarian programs and driving impactful development outcomes globally.

Soula Proxenos

Ms Proxenos has more than 30 years of financial services experience. She has a deep understanding of the capital markets, fundraising, infrastructure, and real estate. She has been an adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business and School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS). She is an independent non-executive director, consultant, and advisor of several organizations. She has extensive experience as board chair, committee chair (nominations, investment and credit committee, and compensation committees), committee member (audit) of not-for-profit as well as commercial boards.

Ms. Proxenos received an M. B. A. from the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. Ms. Proxenos has an INSEAD certification in Corporate Governance.