Investment banking is the business of raising money for companies, governments, and other entities seeking to raise money.
Due to its highly technical nature, it is the job of an investment banker to raise money for corporations as clients always look forward to finding solutions to their immediate or future financial needs, especially in raising funds for business growth, expansion and others.
Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes is one of the few Nigerian women who have distinguished themselves in this career path. She is an experienced financial professional in the field of investment banking with close to two decades of experience. One of the most outstanding institutions she has worked with is JP Morgan Chase and Co., a multi-national investment bank and financial services holding company. She equally sits on the board of many other reputable companies around the globe such as Wemy Industries Ltd, Koolboks, AgroEknor, Etc.
Her education journey recorded footprints in St Lawrence College Ramsgate and Atlantic Hall Lagos Nigeria before proceeding to the University of Bristol England for her University education. As a student in the university, she was a member of the SMIF Investment Fund including the Banking and Finance Society where she demonstrated definiteness of purpose in her later career journey into investment banking after graduation. Having graduated from the University of Bristol England, where she bagged a B.Sc. in Economics including gathering lots of job experience before she proceeded to establish her own consulting/ investment company “Aruwa Capital Management” at the age of 29 making her one of the youngest female private equity fund managers in Africa.
Her exposure and experiences garnered over the years from different firms she hard worked with were very instrumental in launching the company to the spotlight which has recorded tremendous success since its commencement with the mission to close the $42 billion SME & gender funding gap in Africa by generating superior returns for investors while delivering positive social impact and measurable women empowerment outcomes through the company Fund investments.
Coming from a society where the rights of women are suppressed and their opinions treated with levity due to age long culture of male dominance in all societal institutions, she disposed herself to make a difference and change the status quo or existing narrative. In her unique approach to changing the face of investing in Africa, Aruwa Capital is one of less than 20 female-founded and managed funds in the entire African continent.
Adesuwa is very passionate about gender equality and balance and has, on many occasions, embarked on advocacy and empowerment programs that seek to provide opportunities for women, especially financial support to women-led businesses in Africa.
Aruwa Capital Management is one of the few equity investment funds in Africa under the leadership of a dedicated woman who finds joy in the rise of other women building businesses that solve critical problems in Africa.
Adesuwa has impacted many lives through her consultancy, expertise in investment banking and advocacies which have contributed positively to the economic development of the African continent. Her onerous efforts are recognized both locally and internationally, one of such special recognition was published by NBC Washington where she was listed among the thirty-five women moving Africa forward.
Drawing from her track records , professional skills and networks, she is determined to lift countless women from the shackles of poverty to see them become financially independent and major contributors to the growth of Africa’s economy.
As the Managing Partner /CEO of Aruwa Capital Management, she has positioned the firm to invest in small and rapidly growing businesses in Africa that are either for women though could be led by men or by women (founded or led by women) across high impact & defensible sectors such as healthcare, financial inclusion, renewable energy through clean technologies, FCMG and others.
As a faith-driven investor, she is always in pursuit of knowledge and recently she participated actively in the Board Room Africa Continuous Professional Development (CPD) where she was awarded a certificate for successfully completing “Open Door Board Effectiveness Programme”.