Dr. Toyin Sanni is mobilising capital, driving ESG investments, mentoring leaders, and empowering women in finance.
Dr. Toyin Sanni is a highly influential figure in African finance, boasting over thirty years of experience. The businesswoman is the Founder and Executive Vice-Chair of the Emerging Africa Group, bringing expertise as an investment banker, lawyer, chartered secretary, stockbroker, author, and business leader. Her work focuses on finance, inclusion, and sustainable growth across the continent.
Emerging Africa Group is a Pan-African financial services company working to close Africa’s funding gap while supporting sustainable growth through ESG-focused investments. In partnership with institutional and private investors, it has evolved into a diversified Pan-African financial services powerhouse. Its comprehensive divisions encompass investment banking, fintech, venture capital, microfinance, asset management, and capacity building. Its core mission is to bridge Africa’s financial access gap and foster sustainable, ESG-focused development.
Transforming capital into growth
The Nigeria-based company, led by Toyin Sanni, has successfully secured over $1 billion for governments and corporations throughout the continent. The group focuses on delivering crucial capital solutions to sectors vital for economic advancement, such as infrastructure, technology, and financial inclusion.
What began as a pure investment banking outfit now delivers a wide range of services: advisory, issuing house and underwriting, asset management, syndications, private trust and wealth advisory, SME financing, and venture capital. Beyond Africa, the group also invests in sustainable and climate-resilient projects through the Africa, Asia Arabia Impact Fund, which channels capital into long-term, inclusive growth opportunities.
Emerging Africa’s venture capital arm takes this further by backing early and growth-stage tech companies as well as women-led enterprises through initiatives like the Emerging Africa Technology Fund and the Female Entrepreneurship Fund.
Leadership Beyond the Group
Sanni’s influence extends well beyond Emerging Africa. She co-founded the Africa Investment Roundtable and serves as Board Chair of Layer 3 Limited and Vice-Chair of Fundall Limited, both innovative technology firms. Her board memberships include Transnational Corporation Plc, the Off-Grid Energy Fund (OGEF-FEI) sponsored by the African Development Bank, the NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, and the Pearl Awards Governance Board.
In addition, she co-chairs the Africa CEO Forum Network for Nigeria and leads the Technical Committee on Financial Literacy of the Nigerian Capital Market, reflecting her commitment to strengthening financial literacy and inclusive economic growth.
Championing women and mentorship
Amplifying her impact further, Sanni founded and chairs Women in Finance Nigeria (WIFNG) and WIFNG UK, platforms dedicated to mentorship, networking, and leadership development for women in the financial services sector. She also runs executive mentorship programs designed to prepare the next generation of African business leaders.
As an authority in securities law, corporate finance, investment banking, and asset management, Sanni has built a reputation as a trusted adviser on capital-raising and advisory solutions. She has authored three books, including Riding the Eagle – A Guide to Investing in Nigeria, and is a LinkedIn Top Voice, using her platform to share insights on finance, leadership, and economic transformation.
Her work has earned her multiple awards, including All African Business Woman of the Year (2017, CNBC Africa), CEO of the Year (2017, Pearl Awards) – where she was the first woman in 22 years to win – Africa Influencer (CEO) Award (2020 and 2021, Tech Times Africa), and Best Woman Leader (2022, Africa Investment Forum & Awards in Paris).
Through her foundation and public platforms, Toyin Sanni continues to advance financial literacy, impact investing, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion across Africa.
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