Emerging Capital Partners (ECP), the pan-African private equity firm with seven offices across Africa, has announced the appointment of Seyi Owodunni as managing director of the firm’s Nigeria office.
Based in Lagos, Seyi will work with the local team to source and secure attractive investment opportunities, as well as with ECP’s portfolio companies to drive strategic and operational improvements.
“As West Africa continues to show strong economic growth, ECP remains committed to exploring the best opportunities available for its investors and partners. Seyi’s hire reflects our dedication to developing our presence and capabilities on the ground,” said Hurley Doddy, co-CEO of ECP.
“We are very pleased to be welcoming Seyi to the team. His strong track record and experience as a business leader in West Africa, particularly Nigeria, will be invaluable to supporting the development of ECP’s operations in the region.”
Seyi joins from Kingdom Africa Management, the pan-African private equity firm where he was partner and spearheaded the group’s expansion in West Africa, including the opening of its office in Lagos.
During his tenure, Seyi developed growth, efficiency and governance plans for portfolio companies and managed many successful exits.
Commenting on his appointment, Seyi said: “I am delighted to be joining ECP’s reputable team and excited about the opportunity to utilise my experience and wide networks to continue delivering value for the firm’s investors and partners.”
Prior to Kingdom Africa Management, Seyi was the chief financial officer for Starcomms plc, a telecommunications operator in Nigeria.
In this role, he worked closely with ECP during the period of its investment in the company in 2005 until exit in 2008.
He has also held senior roles in Kayode Owodunni & Company (Chartered Accountants), Lucent Technologies Incorporated and KPMG.
Seyi has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Sc. in Business Administration from Georgetown University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) is the first private equity firm to raise more than US 2 billion for growth capital investing in Africa. Founded in 2000, ECP was one of the first firms dedicated to Africa which, today, translates into over 60 investments and over 30 exits through seven funds.
Today, ECP has more people on the ground than any other firm: more than 70 percent of its investment professionals, who hail from 10 African countries, operate from 7 local offices.
