Course Overview
The Developing & Financing Infrastructure Projects Course is designed for Aspiring Infraprenuers and Career Professionals seeking to improve their project finance knowledge and are involved in the Large Scale Infrastructure Projects.
The open enrollment online course is one the Pre-Accelerator programmes to join the Brickstone Infrastructure Acceleration Programme (“Brickstone InfraLAB”).
Brickstone InfraLAB was designed for the African Infrapreneur developing projects but lack the knowledge of basic limited recourse financial principles in making the deal happen.
This course is designed for Infraprenuers and Infrastructure Project stakeholders with ongoing projects with little or limited project finance knowledge but who are trying to advance their projects into Financial Closure.
KEY BENEFITS
- DFIP is an online on-demand training with an intensive program with Live Case Study Sessions featuring bite-sized videos, articles, live case studies, and guest lectures.
- Open to anyone, whether you’re a student, infrapreneur, or an individual with little to no knowledge in project finance and infrastructure development.
- The course curriculum is delivered in live sessions of 6 hours wekly with the Course Director and selected expert guest lecturers.
- Access to our Learning Management System (LMS) – a library of curated content and learning resources for up to 360 days.
- Build your professional network, engage with peers from across the continent, and enhance your capability to execute projects.
- Apply your learning to practical assignments, a final capstone project on developing a Bankability Planning Report, and a Project Finance Roadmap.
5 weeks
Intensive Online
Training
12+
Infrastructure
Case Studies
10+
Project Finance Facilitators
1
Africa Infrastructure
Focus
20+
Impactful Learning
Sessions
Key Learning Outcomes
1.
UNDERSTAND LIMITED RECOURSE FINANCING
Understand the fundamentals of Limited Recourse Finance based developments for the Private and Public Sector Projects.
2.
UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES PROJECTS BANKABLE
Appreciate the mechanisms that make projects bankable and investable as well as protects creditors
3.
APPLY PROJECT RISK ANALYSIS WITH CASE STUDIES
Understand how to analyse and interpret risk to determine their severity and potential impact on the transaction structure.
Course Video
New Cohort > 21st August 2024
Early Price of N350,000 closing soon
ENROLL NOW
Early Bird Registration Ongoing!
Course Outline
Introduction
- Overview of Project Finance
- Climate Considerations in Project Selection
- Principles of Risk Allocation
- Climate Considerations on Risk Allocation
Contract Mechanics in Project Finance
- Concept of Guarantee
- The Importance of Guarantees in PF
Understanding Project Development
- Introduction to Project Development
- Project Development Stages
- Types of Project Finance Deals
Early Development Stage
- Competitive Tendered Projects
- Unsolicited Proposals to Government
- Post Signing Issues in Early Development Stage
Introduction Pre-Financing Stage
- Introduction to Pre-Financing Stage
Case Study Review & Discussion
Assignment on Project Definition and Strategis Context Report
Introduction Pre-Financing Stage
- Importance of Finance Model Development
- Key Financing Concepts for Infrapreneurs
Achieving Bankability: Predictable Cashflow
- Understanding Predictable Cashflow and Offtake Agreements
- Key Provision in Offtake Agreements
- Key Provisions in Concession Agreements
- Risk Management in Offtake and Concession Agreements
Achieving Bankability: Fixed Construction Delivery
- Understanding Fixed Construction Delivery
- Construction Life Cycle
- Construction Arrangements
- Risk Management in Construction Arrangement
Assignment: Understanding Project Finance Model
Case Study Review & Discussion
Achieving Bankability: Governance, Operations & Sustainability
- Understanding Sustainable Operations & Environmental Compliance
- Project Governance using Shareholder Agreements
- Resource Supply Arrangements
- Operations & Maintenance
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Introduction to Environment Social and Governance
- Sustainability Project Financing and UN SD Goals
Key Concepts in Financing
- Key Concepts in Financing,
Sources of Financing - Measuring the Borrowing Capacity of a Project
- Application of Financial Models
Case Study Review & Discussion
Assignment: Develop Project Bankability Planning Report
Case Study Review & Discussion
Infrapreneurial Guide to Capital Raising
- Managing Due-Diligence & CPs
- Key documentation in Capital Raising
- Soft skills in Capital Raising
- Engaging with Lenders
Infraprenuers Guide to Understanding Project Finance Models
Application of Financial Models:
- Understanding the Role of Financial Models
- Use of Financial Model by Sponsors
- Use of Financial Model for Preliminary Due Diligence
- Use of the Model for Negotiations
- Use of the Model for Monitoring and Performance
Key Concepts in Finance Documents
- Introduction to Core Finance Agreements (i.e Common Terms Agreement (CTA), Individual Loan Facility Agreement (ILFA), and Amendment and Waiver Agreement (AWA)
- Understanding the Project Finance Loan Agreement (CTA and ILFA)
Core Terms in CTA and ILFA
- Conditions Precedent
- Disbursement and Repayment Terms
- Representations and Warranties
- Covenants
- Events of Default (EOD)
Support Agreements to Project Finance Loans
- Introduction to Other Finance Agreements ( i.e. Equity Support Agreement (ESA), Account Agreement (AA), and Agency Roles in Loan Agreements (lnter-creditor Agent and Security Trustee)
Assignment: Develop a Project Due Diligence Checklist and Project Finance Roadmap
Case Study Review & Discussion
Support Agreements to Project Finance Loans
- Introduction to Security Arrangements
- Introduction to Direct Agreements
Credit Enhancements Private Parties
Post-Financial Close Activities
- Introduction to Post-Financial Close
- Financial Close to Draw Down
- Key Limiting Factors to Drawdown
- EPC Contract Monitoring
- Roles of the construction manager/owner representative
- Managing Transaction
- Project Commissioning
- Key Pre-Operating Activities
- Refinancing & Default Management
Conclusion of the Course
Case Study Review and Discussions
Participants Commitment
THE PROGRAMME IS DELIVERED 100% ONLINE WITH VIDEOS , READINGS MATERIALS , PRACTICE QUIZZES AND ASSIGNMENTS
THIS IS A 5-WEEK IMMERSSION PROGRAMME AND QUITE INTENSTIVE !!! PLEASE NOTE THAT PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMMIT AT LEAST 4 HOURS PER WEEK FOR PERSONAL READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS AND ATTENDANCE OF LIVE LECTURE CLASSES & CASE STUDY REVIEWS OF 6 HOURS PER WEEK
Past Participants
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New Cohort > 21st August 2024
Early Price of N350,000 closing soon
Register Now
Early Bird Registration Ongoing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DFIP is an entrepreneurial finance training that is designed for entrepreneurs developing (or involved) in projects within the Infrastructure and Industrial space but lack the knowledge of basic limited recourse financial principles. We define these people as "Infrapreneurs".
Project finance skills are important in meeting Africa’s infrastructure gap. The infrapreneur plays a vital role in decision making in order to achieve bankability of such projects.
- Start-up and Experienced Entrepreneurs involved in Large Scale PPP or PFI projects and Infrastructure Funds
- Heads of Family Managed Enterprises, Directors and Strategic Decision makers involved in Power, Renewables, Transport Infrastructure and Modular Process Companies.
- Public Sector, Bankers and Lenders involved with Project Finance based developments
Go to www.theafricacatalyst.com/dfip and you would find a link to the online registration form .
Complete the form and make payment by credit card or local back transfer. You will receive an acknowledgement by email when your registration is complete.
Yes. If you don’t have any fundamental knowledge of finance or accounting but are passionate about Infrastructure in Africa. Also, if you want to make a transition into project development, this training will be of benefit. Thirdly, if you want to learn project finance analysis as a skill to boost your productivity in Project Management, you will find this training very beneficial.
Please note that this training is not designed to make you a finance analyst. It was developed from the perspective of a project sponsor, providing a deeper insight into project development, financing and closure.
The DFIP costs please see below. The training gives you full-time access to our learning platform for 365 days. The fee covers tuition, lunch, teaching equipment and course documentation.
Enrolment is not guaranteed until payment has been confirmed with Proof of Payment.
Please note all our DFIP programmes follow the Virtual delivery model ( online) and you can join from anywhere in the world.
However, if you are still unable to join this cohort for other reasons, no worries!
Just follow the African Catalyst LinkedIn page for updates on the next cohort! Also send us email to hybridevents (at) theafricancatalyst.com to book
We encourage early payments before the live event, because at this time, you will receive your user-id, password, and instructions for accessing course materials on the African Catalyst Learning Management Portal www.portal.theafricancatalyst.com
The main course materials would be provided by the Learning Management System include free access to the following On-Demand Courses
• Developing Infrastructure Projects (DIP). Click here
• Financing Infrastructure Projects (FIP). Click here
The DFIP session is a highly summarized session where we explain the key learning points in the DIP and FIP. Module. We will also take a deep dive into the case study sessions.
We strongly encourage early registration to enable a thorough review and completion of the Pre-course materials. This precipitates active participation during the DFIP live sessions.
During the DFIP we will hold 10 VIRTUAL sessions (maximum of 3.5 hours each) with project finance experts, focusing on a range of important skills and insights in the Infrastructure Development Journey.
Online Learning over 5 weeks. (Weekly Live Sessions on (Wed & Thursday), 12.00hrs to 16.00hrs (GMT +1) each day, with 1 hour of Team Preparatory Session per week
We would also discuss the pain points and challenging concepts in the on-demand courses Developing Infrastructure Projects and Financing Infrastructure Projects.
We will also assign small assignments to help you practice the different lessons covered in the modules.
In parallel to the AIP live sessions, you would still need to login to your The African Catalyst Learning Management Portal (http://www.portal.theafricancatalyst.com) to review to previous modules and modules for the next day learning. You would need your
- Laptop/Computer is recommended (Mobile devices are not recommended).
- Speakers or headphones
- High-Speed Internet Connection
1. First all members of the cohort will have a 365 -day access to the African Catalyst Learning Management Portal www.portal.theafricancatalyst.com
2. The participants who complete all the required activities during the DFIP will receive a course completion certificate from The African Catalyst.
We also encourage you to complete 2 Capstone Project Reports during the AIP
- Project Definition Report
- Project Bankability Planning Report
- Project Finance Roadmap
3. For those who have completed these Capstone reports, they would be eligible to apply to the Brickstone Infrastructure Acceleration Programme ("Brickstone InfraLAB"), and if qualified, will be given the opportunity to pitch your project to early-stage infrastructure investors during the matchmaking event organized by The African Catalyst (" InfraConnect")
The bulk of this action learning programme is focused on helping entrepreneurs. Eventually, most applicants and cohort members go on start an Infrastructure project company.
That said, some of our alumni have gone on to work for Public Private Partnership firms, become employees with Governments, Investment Banks, Private Equity, Financial institutions and other organizations.
The content in DFIP can help your Infrastructure Development journey, even if you do not plan to start an Infrastructure Project
Eventually, we hope companies that come through the DFIP can eventually get their project accelerated through the Brickstone Infrastructure Acceleration Programme and proceed to engage with our early-stage investor community.
At the moment we do not provide any funding as The African Catalyst or Brickstone.
Additional Questions should be sent via email to hybridevents (at) theafricancatalyst.com
Register Now
Early Bird Registration Ongoing!
Programme Facilitators & Guest Speakers
Femi Awofala
Conveyer
Lead Partner
Brickstone Africa
Desmond Ogba![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DFIP-Desmond-440x550-1-1-240x300.jpg)
Partner
Templars Law
Ibukun Faluyi![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DFIP-Ibukun-440x550-1-240x300.jpg)
Managing Director
Vicinia Solutions Ltd
Lucy Johnson![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LUCY-440x550-1-1-240x300.jpg)
Partner
Trinity International LLP
Bunmi Folayan![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DFIP-Bunmi-440x550-1-240x300.jpg)
Principal Infrastructure Consultant
CPCS
Jobalo Oshikanlu![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jobalo-440x550-1-240x300.jpg)
Deputy CEO
ARM Harith
Yolanda Walker![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DFIP-Yolanda-440x550-1-1-240x300.jpg)
Partner
DWF Law LLP
Abbas Agbaje![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DFIP-Abbas-440x550-1-240x300.jpg)
Managing Director
Impact Crest
Ngo-Martins
Okonmah![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NGO-440x550-1-240x300.jpg)
Partner
Aluko & Oyebode
Bayode
Akomolafe![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BAYODE-1-440x550-1-1-240x300.jpg)
Global Program Manager
GE FieldCore
Chinenye Ajayi
Managing Associate
Olaniwun Ajayi
Edu Okeke![](https://theafricancatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BEN-440x550-1-240x300.jpg)
Managing Director
Azura Power WA
Pre-Register Now
2024 REGISTRATION CLOSED
NEW COHORT
FEB 2025
NEW PRICE (YET TO BE CONFIRMED)
THIS IS A 5-WEEK IMMERSSION PROGRAMME AND QUITE INTENSTIVE !!! PLEASE NOTE THAT PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMMIT AT LEAST 4 HOURS PER WEEK FOR PERSONAL READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS AND ATTENDANCE OF LIVE LECTURE CLASSES & CASE STUDY REVIEWS OF 6 HOURS PER WEEK
PLEASE PRE-REGISTER FOR MORE INFORMATION
Past Facilitators Profile
**Below are the facilitators who have previously trained participants during the AIP and The African Catalyst changes its Facilitators for time to time based on availability of the facilitators
Founder, Brickstone Africa & Programme Director
Femi is the founder of Brickstone and has practical experience in advising companies and governments on private investments in energy , real estate and infrastructure, including structuring and executing project/structured financings and M&A transactions. He leads Brickstone’s Origination & Commercial advisory team in Energy, Infrastructure and Real Estate
Femi was an investment banking professional with Vetiva Capital Management Limited where he led teams on several M&A transactions, capital raisings programmes as well as structured/project financings of over $500 million. Prior to joining Vetiva Capital Management Limited, he was at the ARM Investment Mangers and was part of the private equity real estate team and he assessed potential real estate investment opportunities, prepared detailed financial models and valuations and oversaw property development, construction management, coordinated marketing, contract negotiations and closings for a real estate developments; Femi has a first degree – B.Sc Geology from University of Ibadan and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos Business School, Pan-African University. He is the Facilitator and Lead of the Mining –Manufacturing Policy Commission of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group.
Managing Consultant, ImpactCrest Consulting
Abbas is an environmental and social specialist with multisectoral experience related to environment, social risk assessment and management in Ghana and Nigeria. Trained by Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialists from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), Abbas possesses in-depth knowledge of IFC Performance Standards and IFC Environmental and Social Review Procedures and had developed ESMS for a variety of clients.
With knowledge and technical expertise in providing a range of environmental services across industries and sectors, Abbas has conducted E&S Due Diligence and Independent E&S Monitoring and Audits for large scale infrastructure projects, applying international and country-specific E&S standards including the IFC Performance Standards, IFC EHS Guidelines, ILO Conventions, the Equator Principles, Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles, and country-specific legislation in Nigeria and Ghana. He manages the ESG portfolio of private equity clients, providing ESG advisory support to the firms and their portfolio companies.
Abbas is the Managing Consultant with ImpactCrest Consulting. He holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Environmental Management from the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, and bachelor’s degree in Botany from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Managing Director, Vicinia Solutions Limited
Innovative and result-oriented sustainability specialist with over eighteen years of development work and environmental management practice in Nigeria. This has provided her with the opportunity to support the development of public policies and regulation as well as deploy relevant tools to assist organizations to improve their environmental performance.
Have championed the application of numerous tools to enable the environmental and social safeguards for over 50 projects and supported about 20 different organization to improve their environmental performance in the last nine(9) years.
Key skills includes performing Environmental and Social Due Diligence, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental Audit Reports (EAR), Cost Benefit Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, Resource Management, Environmental Sensitivity Index, Environmental Management Plans, and Stakeholder Engagement etc.
Principal Consultant, CPCS Canada
Mr. Folayan is an infrastructure advisory specialist with 20 years of experience in infrastructure advisory, development and finance coupled with extensive project management experience. A team player committed to supporting overall objectives, he has a track record of assisting owners and managers of infrastructure in improving operational efficiency and delivering on infrastructure project goals and objectives. Mr. Folayan has worked and developing relationships/partnerships with clients, government officials, engineers, planners, stakeholders and bankers/financiers, including bilateral and multilateral agencies, to deliver infrastructure projects.
Mr. Folayan’s portfolio of projects include transaction advisory and project management for the development, operations and maintenance of the 28 Km Blue Line Light Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) system develop by the Lagos State Government.(Nigeria); and transaction advisory and project coordination for the privatization and asset sale/transfer of generation, transmission, distribution and gas transport infrastructure developed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). He has successful completed projects in Nigeria, Ghana, USA, Mexico, Zambia, Bahamas, and Aruba.
Partner, Trinity International LLP
Lucy Johnson is a Partner at Trinity International LLP.
Lucy trained and qualified as a solicitor in the Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, prior to joining Trinity in November 2016. Lucy has a wide range of experience advising banks and borrowers on both the project and finance aspects of transactions in the energy and infrastructure sector, with a particular focus on Africa.
Her recent work includes advising sponsors in relation to the Corbetti and Tulu Moye geothermal projects in Ethiopia; the project company in relation to a thermal IPP in Sierra Leone; the project company in respect of the financing of a container terminal and multipurpose use terminal in Takoradi Port, Ghana; the sponsors of the Mocuba solar PV plant in Mozambique and KfW in relation to the implementation of GETFiT Mozambique.
In addition to advising on several other energy and infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa, Lucy has also advised both lenders and borrowers in relation to a number of reserve-based lending and trade finance facilities.
Lucy graduated from the University of Warwick with an LLB in Law in 2008 and qualified as a solicitor of England & Wales in 2012.
Global Program Manager, GE FieldCore
Bayo Akomolafe is an accomplished program manager with over a decade of experience in engineering projects and operations management at General Electric (GE) and its subsidiary, FieldCore, specializing in power generation assets.
Bayo combines technical expertise with insights into the socioeconomic and environmental aspects of macroenergy systems. His work as an independent energy systems analyst focuses on electricity resource development, sustainability, accessibility, and reliability in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Throughout his career, Bayo has developed, managed, and led a diverse array of complex projects for various multinational organizations across three continents. His project portfolio includes work with Suncor Energy, Aturapower, Bruce Power, NALCOR Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario Power Generation, Northland Power, and Imperial Oil in Canada; SASOL Synfuel in South Africa; Nigeria LNG Plant in Nigeria; CFE in Samalayuca, Mexico; CIPREL in Ivory Coast; STEG in Ferriana, Tunisia; as well as Esso and the GE Energy Learning Center.
Bayo holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from a Russian university, and a master’s degree in Sustainability Management from the University of Waterloo, Canada. Currently pursuing a PhD in Energy Systems Sustainability Management. He is a registered professional engineer in Canada, where he currently resides. In addition to his professional pursuits, Bayo is an enthusiastic road-tripper.
Managing Associate, Olaniwun Ajayi
Chinenye is a Managing Associate in the Power & Infrastructure practice group in Olaniwun Ajayi, where she specializes in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects. Her expertise encompasses renewable energy, natural gas-fired power projects, and healthcare and transportation infrastructure. Additionally, she offers policy, regulatory, and compliance advisory services to clients in the electricity sector.
In 2022, Chinenye was nominated as a United Nations Representative to Geneva with Ariel Foundation International, where she co-chaired a summit on Energy and Environment. With over a decade of experience, she is a versatile commercial lawyer with core expertise in electricity law, infrastructure, deal structuring, and project finance. She provides business and legal advisory services to both established and emerging companies in the power sector, particularly within renewable energy.
Chinenye collaborates with local and international clients across the public and private sectors, advising on policy and regulatory matters, due diligence, transaction structuring, project finance, regulatory licensing, and the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements, including Engineering and Procurement Contracts and Power Purchase Agreements.
As a United Nations Representative of Ariel Foundation International in 2022, Chinenye co-chaired a summit under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) themed “Energy and Environment: Diverse Perspectives, Challenges, and Way Forward.” She presented a paper titled “Boosting Investment towards Access to Clean Energy,” which was featured in the Winter 2022 edition of Re.engineer Magazine.
She has also delivered numerous presentations, participated in speaking engagements, and led advocacy campaigns on key energy issues, including energy transition, electricity policy, renewable energy finance, and sustainable energy.
Chinenye holds certifications from the Renewable Energy Institute of Technology (RETTI) and currently volunteers as the Vice President, Projects of the Energy Institute Young Professional Network (EIYPN) and as Program Coordinator for the African Fellowship for Young Energy Leaders.
In the realm of electricity law, policy, and regulations, Chinenye supports governments, organizations, and investors in navigating Nigeria’s dynamic electricity legal framework. She provides tailored advisory services that help clients achieve their commercial objectives while ensuring compliance with the law.
Partner, Templars
Desmond is a Partner in Templars Law Firm. He holds a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University, graduated with First Class Honours from the Nigerian Law School, and has a Bachelor of Laws from Ebonyi State University.
Desmond has extensive experience advising project companies, sponsors, borrowers, banks, funds, multilateral finance institutions, export credit agencies, other financial institutions and corporates on diverse transactions including project finance, acquisitions and divestments, power projects and other infrastructure development, strategic investments, international capital markets issuances, corporate finance and alternative funding structures.
He is ranked in several international legal directories including IFLR 1000 Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms and Chambers Global Guide to the Legal Profession with clients and other independent sources describing him as “…a good problem solver and very client oriented”; “very effective… strong and bright”; ”one who delivers excellent work”; and “has a keen eye for the commercial objectives of a transaction”.
Desmond has served as a Senior Editor of the Harvard Business Law Review; as Vice-Chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law; and as a member of different technical committees of experts appointed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to advise its Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee on much needed financial law reforms in Nigeria.
Senior Planning Expert, Starsight Energy
Adeboye Fowora is currently the Head of Site Operations at Starsight Energy. Prior to this, they were the Head of Project Management for West Africa at Standard Chartered Bank from February 2010 to October 2015. Adeboye was responsible for Program & Project Management during their time there.
From January 2007 to September 2008, they were the Senior Planning Manager at Mace Group. Adeboye then moved on to AFP Consulting for a brief period of time before becoming the Director at Adeoye Fowora & Partners, a civil & structural engineering design partnership for marine infrastructure, from August 2008 to February 2010.
In September 2005, they began working as a Senior Planning Consultant at EC Harris and was there until December 2006. Adeboye then became the Lead Planner at Laing O’Rourke Civil Engineering from January 2004 to September 2005. Their final role before joining Starsight Energy was as the Planning Manager at Bovis Lend Lease from January 2002 to January 2004.
Adeboye Fowora attended Kingston University, where they studied civil engineering. Adeboye then pursued a career in civil engineering and worked for Oxford Brookes University.
Deputy CEO, ARM Harith Infrastructure Fund
Jobalo is Deputy CEO of ARM-Harith.
A commercial lawyer with over 20 years’ experience and extensive exposure to public-private partnership, infrastructure development and infrastructure project finance, Jobalo previously held board roles with energy and transport sector entities.
Previously Executive Director and Head of Legal at Lekki Concession Company, Jobalo led counsel for the team responsible for negotiating the pioneering US$420 million Lekki Toll Road Concession Project.
Jobalo holds a Bachelor of Laws from Ogun State University, a BL from the Nigerian Law School, and is an Alumnus of Cranfield where he obtained an award in Business & Leadership.
Partner, DWF Law LLP
Yolanda advises clients on the operation of contracts and the resolution of disputes through negotiation, adjudication, mediation, arbitration and litigation and has experience of working with clients throughout the lifecycle of a project to assist in the management of risk, the avoidance of disputes and to help achieve the best result commercially.
Yolanda has expertise in all major standard forms of contract, including JCT, NEC and FIDIC. Yolanda has advised owners and contractors and employers on a variety of projects. These have included buildings, road projects, tunnels, LNG plants and pipelines. Yolanda’s experience also includes a year-long secondment to Balfour Beatty, an international infrastructure group.
Yolanda is a director of Africa Construction Law, a pan-African thought-leadership initiative operating across Africa and in the diaspora to promote construction law and practice in Africa.
Yolanda regularly presents to various institutions at seminars and training workshops internationally and the UK. Yolanda is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal and is ranked as a “Future Leader in Construction”.
Managing Director, Azura Power WA
Edu Okeke is the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa Ltd, overseeing the 461MW Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant (IPP). With 25 years of experience in heavy, capital-intensive industries, Edu has built a distinguished career characterized by leadership roles in prominent global companies and extensive international experience.
His extensive experience spans roles in the oil & gas, cement, and power sectors, working for industry leaders such as Schlumberger,Lafarge, and General Electric across multiple countries, including the USA, UK, France, South Africa, Vietnam, and Pakistan.
Edu holds an MBA in Management from Imperial College London and a B.Eng. in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Partner, ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
Ngo-Martins is a Partner at ALN Nigeria I Aluko & Oyebode, and the head of the Firm’s construction and infrastructure practice. He is a skilled litigator and arbitration lawyer has significant experience advising on project development, construction and engineering contracts including FIDIC, NEC, JCT and bespoke funder’s led EPC, EPCM contracts, in a variety of sectors, including oil & gas, power, and general infrastructure. He has significant experience working in the energy, oil & gas, transportation and building and hospitality sectors working for IOCs, NOCs , multinationals, and international contractors.
He has acted as counsel and arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings conducted under the UNCITRAL, LCIA and ICC Rules governed by a variety of substantive laws and seated in jurisdictions such as Nigeria, Milan, London, Zurich and Miami, Florida. He has also advised and represented clients in enforcing and recognising arbitral awards before Nigerian courts.
He is a leading voice in arbitration and construction law within the region, sharing insights, best practices, and innovative solutions. He is the founder of the prestigious Africa Construction Law (ACL), a platform which fosters knowledge exchange, networking, and advancements in construction law.
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