At the crossroads of finance, industrialisation and infrastructure development in Africa, Samaila Zubairu has established himself as one of the continent’s most influential financiers. At the helm of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) since 2018, the Nigerian is driving an ambitious strategy aimed at accelerating Africa’s economic transformation through massive investments in energy, transport and strategic industries. The career, achievements and ambitions of a leader who wants to reposition Africa at the heart of its own development financing.
Samaila Zubairu has established himself as one of the leading figures in infrastructure financing and economic development in Africa. A graduate in accounting from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), he began his career in the banking and finance sector before specialising in the financing of large-scale industrial projects. His career, built on solid financial expertise and a resolutely pan-African vision, illustrates the emergence of a new generation of African leaders capable of structuring and mobilising massive resources for the continent’s development.
Transformation is not only about creating jobs; it is also about increasing government tax revenues. And when tax revenues rise, governments can invest in the true drivers of productivity: education, skills, and talent. As well as healthcare, which generates more jobs across the economy. That is why capture and retention are not just slogans; it is a matter of fiscal survival, and a matter of dignity for employment.
Samaila Zubairu, Chairman and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) – Nigeria
Appointed as head of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu quickly set about a far-reaching transformation of the institution. Under his leadership, the organisation expanded its network of member states and significantly strengthened its financial capabilities. Within a few years, the AFC’s investments had multiplied, consolidating its central role in the financing of strategic infrastructure in Africa. The institution also reached a major milestone by exceeding $12 billion in assets, thereby establishing itself as one of the continent’s most influential financial players.
Our most urgent priority today must be to redefine Africa’s value proposition in the eyes of the world: to move from being a mere supplier of raw materials to a skilled workforce capable of attracting global supply chains. Africa’s greatest asset is not only beneath its soil, but above it: our people, our youth, and the talents we develop.
Samaila Zubairu, Chairman and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) – Nigeria
In his vision for the coming years, Samaila Zubairu intends to make the AFC an even more powerful driver of African industrialisation. His priorities centre on the development of transport infrastructure, the expansion of energy capacity, the development of high value-added mineral resources, and the strengthening of local industries. The stated objective is clear: to reduce the continent’s dependence on imports and stimulate the creation of internal value chains. He also advocates for greater mobilisation of private capital, both African and international, to support major infrastructure projects.
It is therefore an entire value chain that must be put in place, starting with deliberate and strategic decisions to halt the import of raw materials. Everything we have must be processed locally in order to create quality jobs.
Samaila Zubairu, Chairman and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) – Nigeria
Beyond the figures and strategies, Samaila Zubairu’s career embodies a broader ambition: that of an Africa undergoing economic transformation, capable of financing its own development. At the helm of the AFC, he has established himself as a key player in development finance on the continent, driven by a strong belief in African economic integration and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
