Asset Owners Prelude

LAGOS • LUSAKA • WINDHOEK • JO'BURG • NAIROBI

REQUEST INVITE

PARTNER

6+

COUNTRIES

150Bn+ 

ASSET OWNERS' AUM

25+

SPEAKERS

30+

HOURS OF CONTENT

6+

FUND SPOTLIGHT

3+

SIMULATION LABS

Diversify Returns. Derisk Portfolios.

The question for African asset owners and their fiduciaries is no longer whether their portfolio strategy is performing. It is whether they have the rigour, the frameworks, and the independent perspective to know for certain and act on it before the next allocation.

The Asset Owners Prelude exists to ensure they do. Built on a simple conviction: African long-term savers — pension members, insurance policyholders, and citizens with sovereign capital at stake — deserve the same standard of institutional investment decision-making as the world’s most sophisticated markets.

It is a deliberate departure from the conventional conference format — a structured, curated environment where capital allocators engage directly with specialist practitioners across the full institutional asset class universe. Sharpening strategy is not remedial but the defining discipline of high-performing portfolios. The Prelude brings together the frameworks, the expertise, and the independent challenge that turn sound allocation decisions into stronger, more resilient ones.

PARTNER

Themes

diversification

Strategically diversify across domestic, continental, and global markets by blending multiple asset classes, market-capitalisation segments, and investment styles. This multi‑layered approach smooths local volatility, captures broader growth drivers, and provides exposure to under‑represented sectors—ultimately enhancing portfolio resilience, managing tail risks, and maximizing long‑term return potential.

Allocation

African asset owners—sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurers, and family offices—will analyze strategic portfolio shifts, assess regional and global macroeconomic trends, and apply advanced risk‑management techniques to optimize allocations across Africa’s dynamic markets while mitigating broader market uncertainties.

GOVERNANCE

Explore how geopolitical shifts and regulatory developments shape African economies and investment markets. Drawing on real‑world case studies and peer‑driven best practices, you’ll learn to assess emerging risks, design robust governance frameworks that ensure transparency and compliance, and implement strategies that foster investor confidence—equipping you to navigate complex environments with clarity and conviction.

Asset Allocation

Adapting to macroeconomic shifts and emerging asset classes to build resilient and diversified investment portfolios.

Investment Strategy

Navigating Africa’s evolving markets by identifying opportunities, mitigating risks, and optimizing portfolio performance.

Governance

Navigating complex regulatory landscapes to ensure transparency, compliance, and investor confidence.

Innovation

Leveraging AI, data analytics, and emerging tech solutions to enhance decision-making, operational efficiency, and customer engagement.

Talent

Addressing Africa’s investment talent gap through innovative recruitment, retention strategies, upskilling and reskilling.

Risk

Building robust portfolios that can withstand global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions is essential for effective liquidity and risk management.

Asset Owners

Leslie Ndawana

CEO, National Fund for Municipal Workers

Escher Luanda

Executive: Government Institutions Pension Fund

Tembe Futhi

CEO, Eswatini National Provident Fund

PARTNER

Asset Classes

Infrastructure

How can institutional investors build real asset portfolios, considering the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to infrastructure, natural capital, and commodities portfolio construction? How can they effectively harness the potential of real assets?

Equities

Discover how strategic equity allocation can blend high‑yield domestic equities with targeted global exposures—capturing local growth, managing currency and concentration risks, and accessing under‑represented sectors. The session will cover value‑focused, long‑only strategies across developed, emerging, and frontier markets, plus practical implementation and governance frameworks for resilient, impact‑driven pension portfolios.

ETF & Indexing

GLOBAL ASSETS

Diversifying Beyond 2025 is a premier four-day immersion in international investment strategy. Designed exclusively for board members, CEOs and CIOs, DAAG provides actionable insights on cross-border diversification, risk-adjusted returns, and access to global investment managers and a universe of assets to transform your fund’s global strategy, ensuring secure, high-performing retirement outcomes.

Private Credit

Private credit presents pension funds with the potential for higher, risk-adjusted returns compared to traditional fixed income—enhancing portfolio performance and helping meet long-term liabilities. As global interest grows, it's critical to understand the key drivers behind the expansion of private debt and its rising role in institutional portfolios.

Private Equity

Despite some lingering apprehension among African pension funds concerning private equity, the landscape shifts dramatically when investments are made in collaboration with best-in-class managers. In such partnerships, private equity stands to deliver enhanced returns over conventional investment channels, proving instrumental in optimizing portfolio performance and securing the ability to meet future liabilities.

Sustainable Investing

Climate change poses risks to the economy, financial markets, and institutional investments. Given the increasing financial risks and opportunities posed by climate change, how can institutional investors develop a comprehensive framework for assessing and managing climate-related factors across their investment universe?

Critical minerals

Unlock diversification and inflation protection by allocating to commodities and critical metals—key inputs for the energy transition and digital technologies. Through best‑in‑class funds or direct strategies, pension portfolios can smooth volatility, capture structural growth themes, and enhance returns while managing liability‑driven risks and supporting sustainable development.

REAL ESTATE

Real estate can provide a reliable source of income and offer significant potential for capital appreciation. However, due to its inherent lack of liquidity, it may not be the best option for institutional investors with shorter- term timeframes, especially in the context of rising interest rates.

Who Attends

This programme is designed for asset owners, asset managers, and investment consultants shaping Africa’s investment landscape. As capital markets evolve and institutional participation grows, it offers a platform to explore strategic approaches to portfolio construction, asset allocation, and risk management.

It is also highly relevant for sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, foundations, and insurers looking to leverage technology, strengthen investment teams, and drive innovation. Through expert insights and peer discussions, participants will gain practical strategies to navigate Africa’s dynamic markets and global investment trends.

Be Part of It

EXPLORE international diversification case studies and build a powerful network to expand your portfolio globally.

DISCOVER how investing across diverse geographies, asset classes, and strategies can enhance resilience and unlock new opportunities.

GAIN insights into managing international exposure, mitigating currency risks, and navigating political, economic, and regulatory shifts.

CONNECT with leading asset managers and key stakeholders to start building the relationships that will drive your global diversification strategy.

Manager Spotlight

Engage . Influence . Activate

Engage directly with global peers, leading asset managers, and industry experts through interactive workshops and on‑demand sessions—building relationships that spark collaborative solutions. Please contact Peace Natachy to learn how you can join this initiative—by email at learn@assetowners.africa or by phone at +44 7815 033 375 (UK) or +27 76 058 4044 (SA).

PARTNER

Speaking

Leslie Ndawana

CEO, National Fund for Municipal Workers

Escher Luanda

Executive: Government Institutions Pension Fund

Tembe Futhi

CEO, Eswatini National Provident Fund

Ndabe Mkhize

Managing Partner & Founder, Mavovo Capital

Cledan Mandri-Perrott

Partner, SFP Infrastructure Partners

Fred Waswa

Chief Executive Officer, Octagon Africa

Stanley Austin

Partner, Asset Owners Africa (AOA)

Ronald Chirochangu

Founder, BetaRisk & Partner, Asset Owners Africa

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Diversify Returns. Derisk Portfolios.

PARTNER