Our People
Meet the team - Governance
Felix Okaka (FCIB)
Felix Okaka had a career in the Banking sector, working with Financial Institutions such as Midas Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc. and Diamond Bank Plc; where he held several key positions from Managerial, General Management to Executive Directorship.
He has in-depth experience in public sector projects and public sector relationships and in banking, finance, investment, general management, risk evaluation/management, business development and corporate governance
Mr. Okaka’s areas of interest include, Infrastructure Project Development and Implementation, Strategic Business Development, Foreign Direct Investments, International and Multilateral Financing Schemes and International Joint Venture Projects.
He is an alumnus of the Universities of Ibadan and Ife, Nigeria. He is a chartered banker (ACIB) with degrees in Agricultural Economics, Banking and Finance.
Felix Okaka sits on the board of Corp Exchange Limited (project development services, financial counseling and consulting to corporate and private clients) and Lemna Nigeria, an international infrastructure development company (with headquarters in Minneapolis, USA) that has undertaken and executed multi-million dollar projects in Nigeria.
Mr. Okaka brings to DFC Capital Limited a vast network of global contacts, an established knack for spotting business opportunities and uncommon techniques in working with people to achieve exceptional results.
Akinwole Omoboriowo II (AOII)
Akinwole Omoboriowo II has over 20 years of experience in the Oil & Gas and Power Sectors in Africa, where he has consistently led other equally distinguished colleagues in pioneering several initiatives including but not limited to African-owned & managed Independent Power Producing companies, well-Structured Oil Trading Companies and thriving Utility Companies, amongst others. Akinwole Omoboriowo II’s top management work-history includes, ED of Christley Petroleum Ltd, MD of Besse- Oil & Services Ltd, CEO & Co-Founder of PPI (a Foremost Oil & Gas Company in Africa, with several trail-blazing market initiatives), Vice-Chairman of Vatternfields Utility Ltd (a Utility Company currently managing & operating PrePaid & PostPaid Revenue Collection initiatives in West Africa), and CEO of Genesis Electricity Ltd (GEL).
He sits on the Board of several international companies including Walters Power Africa (a British Virgin Island company Co-Owned by GEL and a US-Based Company Owned by a Former Governor of the State of Oklahoma- David Walters), Nagarjuna-Christley Fuels Ltd (a company now at advanced stage of deploying renewable energy investments in Ethanol production & supply in Nigeria), Avi Alliance Ltd (an airline company), Alliance Energy Sao Tome Limited, and several other international corporations. He was recently invested with Honoris Causa Fellowship of the Certified Board of Administrators of Nigeria (CBAN).
AOII holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics, a post graduate diploma in Strategy and Innovation from the Oxford University Saïd Business School, a certificate in Electricity Pricing and Modelling from the London Business School in the United Kingdom, and a certificate in International Oil Trading and Shipping from the Oxford-Princeton College in the United Kingdom.
He serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Thinkers Forum UK, and has served on the Advisory Board of SHELL Foundation UK.
Akinwole Omoboriowo II (AOII) brings on board DFC Capital, his knack for strategic and innovative thinking, his broad expertise in conceptualizing and managing the complexities of building new businesses and his clout and network in the Energy sector.
Barbara James
Barbara James is an expert in the field of African private equity and venture capital development. She is founder and CEO of the first independent pan-African private equity Fund of Funds – Henshaw Capital Partners. She has been instrumental in the development of innovative venture capital solutions in Africa, including initiating the African Diaspora SME Fund; advocating for UK (and G8) tax incentives to investors in African venture capital; an African Technical Assistance Fund and the first independent African venture capital Fund of Funds.
Barbara established the African Venture Capital Association (AVCA) and was responsible for the development, fund raising and implementation of programs to promote and strengthen the private equity and venture capital industry in Africa.
In 2007, she advised the Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan Governments on the setting up of an SME venture capital fund, a technical assistance facility and an enabling regulatory environment for venture capital in East Africa.
She is on the Board of East Africa Capital Partners – an OPIC financed fund making private equity investments in technology, media and telecoms sectors in East Africa; co-Chairs the Nigerian Federal Government Private Equity and Venture Capital Development Committee; and also served on the Nigerian Federal Government Committee on Information Technology Incubation Centre Development in 2011/2012 and on the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment committee on Small and Medium Enterprise Development in 2011. In 2012, she was appointed to the Board of Governors of the University of Anglia Ruskin (UK) and to the Advisory Panel of Omnia Strategy LLP (UK) an international consulting firm founded by Mrs. Cherie Blair QC CBE.
Barbara has a BSc in Computer Science, an M.Sc. in Business Systems Analysis and Design and a Phd in Finance and Innovation. She is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and has trained professionally as a venture capital General Partner (investment manager) and Limited Partner (investor).
Her working career spans Mason Communications, Deloitte & Touché, London, Catholic Fund for Oversees Development (CAFOD), London, Abbey National, Milton Keynes and DP Advisors, London.
Felix Achibiri (FICA)
Felix Achibiri is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, an astute entrepreneur and businessman with over 20 years of experience spanning leading companies in several sectors of the Nigerian economy. His extensive corporate experience comes with proven achievements in oil and gas, engineering and construction, financial services, agribusiness, mobile money operations, digital biometrics, inclusive real-estate and energy sectors, both locally and internationally. Felix Achibiri has core skills in Leadership, Business Conceptualization, Development and Strategy.
He sits on the board of Rural Steel Bridging Limited, Site Services Technologies Limited, Petroleum Projects International Limited (PPI), Fortis Mobile Money Limited, Gelmark Power Solutions Limited, Greenfields Global Inceptis, Genesis Electricity Limited and DFC Holdings Limited.
In recognition of his entrepreneurial and business acumen, Felix Achibiri is a recipient of several local and international awards, amongst which are: Member, the prestigious Conservative African Business Group London, Member, British Safety Council, Member, African Energy Association, Member, Body of Fellows of the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), Fellow, Institute of Professional Industrialists and Management Development (IPIMD), Fellow, Public Administration and Management Development Institute (PAMDI), Fellow, Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), 2014 Credit Management Honours Award, Institute of Credit Administration (ICA), and Chairman’s Merit Award, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Water Division,
Felix Achibiri brings on board his unwavering strength in identifying opportunities, making the right connections and building relationships for the actualization of set business goals. He is married with children.
Saadat Khan
Saadat Khan has more than 29 years of experience in the trade finance industry, out of which 22 years were spent in the USA with J.P. Morgan, New York in managing the relationships of the large multi-national companies to deliver complex trade solutions.
While at J.P. Morgan, Saadat had senior responsibility for the Middle East and North Africa, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, leading the Bank’s efforts in covering global multi-national clients including corporate and financial institutions. He was Executive Director and Head of Global Trade Services at J.P. Morgan for the Multi-National Companies based in Dubai, UAE.
In addition, Saadat as Lead Executive, has personally managed global relationships for certain of the Bank’s top tier multinationals, acting as a trusted advisor on highly visible, multi-billion-dollar transactions.
Saadat led the development of several innovative products that met the often complex trade finance needs of customers whilst satisfying both regulatory and risk management requirements. His in-depth understanding of regulatory and risk management issues often sees him being consulted, both internally and externally, during the development of solutions.
He is a recipient of numerous “Deal of the Year” awards from industry publications including Global Trade Review and Trade Finance, Saadat has been recognized for his origination and execution of “elephant deals” on behalf of his clients and the Bank.
Yichen Mao
Yichen Mao has over 25 years of combined experience in Operations, international strategic advisory and consulting. She has developed, constructed and continued to co-own several solar stations in Italy, Bulgaria and Greece, and is currently involved in the development of several power and international EPC projects in Asia, the USA, Africa, Middle East and Europe.
A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with executive education from Harvard, Ms. Mao’s expertise includes international market development, technology transfer, innovation management and operations management. After working for IBM, she developed and managed joint venture project between German Company Deutsche Linoleum Werk and WL Industries.
Her strategy and work pioneered the global retail market for building material supply chain and gave rise to a new manufacturing industry in China. Recently, her work includes advising clients on international tender proposals and presentations, facilitation of major projects between investors, Chinese State-Owned-Enterprises in the areas of infrastructure, energy, construction and investments, and international power and real estate development companies.
Amongst her appointments are: Senior Advisor to Saudi Crown Investment (based in Geneva), Board of Remaks Group, and advisor to several companies in the renewable energy and other areas.
Diana Smart
Diana Smart is a Principal Partner at TMD Capital Partners. She is a seasoned finance and strategy professional with over 12 years leadership and governance experience in the financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, fintech and power industries across Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States of America.
Denis Dema
Denis Dema has been in private legal practice as a corporate legal consultant for over thirteen years offering diverse legal services to companies in the oil and gas, power generation, media publications, manufacturing, environment, logistics and education sectors. Denis is a law graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from the Manchester Metropolitan University and a Master’s degree in Maritime and International Business Transactions from the Southampton University both in the UK. He was called to the Nigeria Bar in 1986 and has over twenty years’ experience in corporate legal practice.
He served as Legal Services Manager and Company Secretary at NAFCON (a joint venture fertilizer company between MW Kellogg of Texas, USA and the Federal Government of Nigeria) where he was extensively involved in joint venture negotiations for the BOT of the NAFCON Plant and became ultimately responsible for the administrative and personnel management of over 1500 staff.
Meet the team - Management
Uche Nwaogu – Managing Director
Uche Nwaogu is an Investment Banking executive, Management Consultant and chartered Stockbroker with over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Stockbroking, Banking & Financial services and Management Consultancy. He has expertise in SMEs Development, Stockbroking, Wealth/Asset Management, Funds Management, Project & Structured Finance, Advisory/Consulting, Privatizations & Financial Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, SEC filings & Capital Raising and Corporate Governance.
Uche was variously Manager, Capital Markets in Path Securities & Investments Limited, Assistant Manager, UCB (defunct), AGM (Finance & Admin) OTC Group; Head, Capital Markets, Head, Corporate Finance & Group Head, Investment Banking Group in FutureView Financial Services Limited; and Managing Director of FutureView Securities Limited – a Nigerian Stock Exchange Dealing Member Company & Market Maker. He chairs the Investment Committee of two NSE listed Funds, The Frontier Fund and Nigeria Energy Sector Fund.
He has been involved in closing over $450million worth of corporate finance and capital market deals and advised on projects transversing Banks & Financial institutions, Municipals & State Governments, Telecommunications, Education, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverages, Agriculture and Maritime sectors.
Uche holds the Fellows of the Association of Investment Advisers & Portfolio Managers (FAIPM) and The Institute of Credit Administration (FICA). He is an authorized Dealing Clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and has degrees in Accountancy and Finance & Corporate Governance.
Uche sits on the Board of a number of Companies including Kure Holding Company Limited and Royal Breed International Schools. He is happily married with children.
Olu Malomo - Director Investment & Strategy
Olu Malomo is a Director at Cheriton Advisory, a boutique Corporate Finance advisory firm based in the City of London. He has over 16 years of finance and investment experience spanning a diverse range of industry sectors including Infrastructure, Technology, Telecoms and Power & Energy .
Prior to Cheriton Advisory, he was an Associate at Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers in Johannesburg, a $500m Infrastructure Fund co-founded by Johann Rupert and Phuthuma Nhleko, former Chairman and CEO of MTN Group. Before joining Pembani Remgro, Olu worked at Helios Towers Plc, a FTSE listed Africa focused telecoms infrastructure manager based in London.
Olu held a number of roles including Group Financial Controller and Acting CFO of the Group’s business in DR Congo. Olu started his career at Ernst & Young’s London office, initially working on audit engagements for listed clients across a range of industries and then within the Oil & Gas team of the Corporate Finance function.
During this time he assisted the sell-side team advising Shell on its $1bn divestment of downstream assets in Africa. He holds a MBA from the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Dorcas Ajimelen – Head, FX Intermediation
Dorcas Ajimelen is a versatile investment banking professional with expertise in securities marketing/sales, negotiations, funds management, and forex advisory and trading.
Dorcas’ career has spanned, Branch Head, FutureView Financial Services, Port Harcourt. Head, Sales & Marketing, FutureView Financial Services, Lagos; and COO, FutureView BDC.
Dorcas variously led and managed the FutureView Financial Services Limited’s branches in Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Lagos. She managed a portfolio of Client’s investments worth over $100 million. Between 2017 and 2020 she was COO, Future View Bureau De Change Ltd and prior to that, Head Sales and Marketing and COO in charge of a Product/consulting firm.
She holds a B.Sc in Business administration from Delta State University. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK; and The Nigerian Institute of Management and Student member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.
Maureen Ukanwoke – Vice President, Compliance
Maureen Ukanwoke is a Chartered Accountant with expertise in Financial Management and Assurance. Her experience spans over various sectors of the economy including Banking, Oil and Gas; Construction.
She obtained her first degree in Microbiology from the prestigious University of Port Harcourt. Her love for numbers and figures took her to the world of Accounting where she obtained both B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Financial Management from the United Kingdom.
She has attended many trainings and seminars in line with her career path as a finance professional.
She is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Associate member of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and Corporate Treasurers (ACT).
She is currently DFC Capital’s Vice President Compliance
Meet the team - Key Partnerships
Kenneth Aigbinode
Kenneth Aigbinode had a banking career of over 28 years, traversing merchant, investment, and commercial banking involving significant collaboration with multilateral and continental institutions on structured finance. He also had top-level exposure in the telecommunications and insurance industries spanning a period of 10 years.
Kenneth variously worked with the Bank of Boston’s (BKB) Nigerian affiliate (Nigerian-American Merchant Bank) specializing in corporate lending and risk management; and with Barclays Bank specializing in banking operations. He was Executive Director and Acting Chief Executive with Fidelity Bank PLC, and NNB International Bank PLC (now Unity Bank PLC). He was with the team that executed the turnaround of Owena Bank (now Unity Bank).
He served as Central Bank of Nigeria’s nominated director on the board of Assurance Bank to oversee the orderly winding-down of the bank during the consolidation of the banking industry in 2005.
Kenneth’s resourcefulness and versatility saw him restructuring two telecom firms, Reliance Telecommunications Ltd, and Monarch Communications Ltd. He also served on the board of Swift Networks Limited. He was the Executive Director in charge of Strategy and Risk Management with Industrial and General Insurance PLC in which capacity he sat on the boards of the company’s subsidiaries in Uganda and Rwanda bringing his extensive experience to bear. He retired from IGI in 2016 to set up his consulting firm, Vintage Vantage Advisory based in Canada.
He is an alumnus of the Senior Executive Course of Manchester Business School. He holds a master’s degree in Risk Management from Stern Business School (New York University, USA), a Higher National Diploma in Banking, and a Bachelor certification of the Global Revenue Assurance Professional Association. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration, a director of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and a member of the Canadian Securities Institute.
He is happily married with children.
Bex Nwadudu
Bex Nwadudu has over two decades of experience in Private Equity, investment banking, proprietary trading, and principal investing. Over the past six years, he has closed over $250 million worth of transactions and invested over $39 million in African investments.
He started his career in 1994 in London at ING Barings as a Convertible Debt Analyst and thereafter moved to the proprietary trading desk. He subsequently worked severally with Daiwa Europe SFU as Senior Manager and at BGC Partners before returning to Nigeria to join First City Monument Bank as SVP, Head of Fixed Income.
Bex received a M.B.A. from the London Business School and a B.S. in Economics from St. Johns College, Cambridge University.
Florence Okoli
Florence Okoli is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos and holds an MBA from the prestigious Harvard Business School.
Florence has over 20 years rich and varied, cross-functional and multi-industry experience spanning Energy, Telecommunications & Advisory Services with a focus on Energy and Infrastructural Development. She commenced her training as an Accountant in Arthur Andersen, a leading professional services firm, and has worked in reputable organizations like MTN (as a pioneer staff), ExxonMobil and Shell.
Florence possesses deep commercial experience, having played a lead commercial role in key gas monetization projects and negotiations for Shell. She also played a pioneering lead commercial and advisory role through Shell’s leadership and participation in restructuring the Nigerian Gas and Power industry through the joint industry development and implementation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP). Her last role in Shell was the Chief Investment Officer role for All On, a start-up impact investment firm, set up by Shell to accelerate access to energy for of-grid communities in Nigeria. In this role, she drove All-On’s investment mandate and successfully led the deployment of its initial investments in key renewable energy companies.
Florence is currently Executive Director, Commercial at Eraskorp Nigeria Limited, a leading company with operating assets and interests in natural resources (oil and gas), infrastructure and services.
Florence is married with 3 sons.
Boma Benebo
Boma Benebo is the Chairman /Chief Executive of Soboms Nigeria Limited. He retired as an Executive Management Staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He has over 30years experience in Development Financing and has been a pioneer in the initiation of many of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Development Finance Initiatives
Emeka Okengwu
Emeka Okengwu is the Chief Executive Officer of Agro and Allied Green Technologies Resources Centre ltd (An Agro based project development and management company based in the Federal Capital Abuja).