Oscar N. Onyema, former Group Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, has been appointed to the board of the Green Impact Exchange (GIX), the first U.S.-based stock exchange dedicated to the fast-growing $50 trillion global sustainability economy.
The appointment, announced by GIX in New York, marks a significant milestone for African representation in global sustainable finance. Onyema joins four other newly appointed board members, all bringing strategic expertise in sustainability, technology, market structure, and governance.
A seasoned capital markets leader, Onyema is widely credited with transforming the Nigerian Stock Exchange into a demutualised, multi-asset, publicly listed exchange group.
With over 15 years of board leadership, he has chaired key market infrastructure institutions and led landmark initiatives across African and international exchanges. At GIX, he will also serve as Chairman of the Board Regulatory Oversight Committee.
“Onyema’s deep knowledge of market architecture, regulatory governance, and strategic capital formation is a major asset to our board,” said Dan Labovitz, Chairman and CEO of GIX. “His appointment reflects our commitment to world-class leadership and building a trusted, inclusive exchange for the sustainability economy.”
Other new board members include General William (Bill) Bender (Ret.), former CIO of the U.S. Air Force and cybersecurity expert; James Andrus, corporate governance and ESG specialist with experience at Franklin Templeton and CalPERS; Maria Mähl, ESG and fintech executive with roles at ESG Book and Arabesque; and Kirk Kellogg, founder of Kellogg Group LLC, who joins the exchange board representing GIX’s parent company.
GIX is pioneering a new frontier in capital markets, enabling companies to raise capital aligned with sustainable development goals. Onyema’s appointment not only reinforces the exchange’s global outlook but also affirms the rising influence of African thought leadership in shaping sustainable finance.
