Afrinvest West Africa Limited has commemorated its 30th anniversary with a strong call for Nigeria to pursue structural reforms capable of unlocking fresh growth opportunities and propelling the economy beyond the trillion-dollar threshold.

The appeal was made at the Chairman’s Dinner in Lagos, where the Group Managing Director of Afrinvest, Dr Ike Chioke, presented the theme of the firm’s 20th annual Banking Sector Report (BSR), “ACT-BOLD: Beyond a Trillion-Dollar Economy.”

The ACT-BOLD framework identifies seven sectors—Agriculture, Creatives/Tourism & Hospitality, Technology, Banking & Finance, Oil & Gas, Logistics, and Domestic Manufacturing—as critical drivers for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Reflecting on Afrinvest’s journey, Chioke noted that the past three decades had been defined by navigating crises such as the 2008 global financial meltdown, the 2016 oil-induced recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic, all while producing thought leadership that shaped policy and investor decisions.

“Each period tested resilience yet created new opportunities,” he said. “Nigeria can and must do better. The ACT-BOLD agenda is our call to chart a new path for inclusive growth.”

Afrinvest Chairman, Donald Lawson, praised the company’s growth from a modest stockbroking outfit in 1995 into a diversified financial services group with six business lines and offices across five Nigerian cities.

He cited Afrinvest’s involvement in landmark transactions including United Bank for Africa’s 2004 merger with Standard Trust Bank, GTBank’s $350 million Eurobond in 2007, and the ₦2.1 trillion listing of Dangote Cement Plc in 2010.

Lawson remarked that the firm’s true success lies in its role in institution-building and market development as well as talent grooming. “Afrinvest is a classic Nigerian story of vision, courage, and resilience,” he told guests.

With alumni now at the helm of institutions such as NGX Limited, CSCS Plc, and the South East Development Commission, Afrinvest disclosed that its next 30 years will centre on democratising access to finance, driving innovation, and expanding its footprint across Africa.

“Afrinvest is 30 years young,” Chioke added. “We are ready to scale beyond boundaries.”