Her Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh met with Nigerian business leaders during a recent visit to Lagos, where he engaged with organisations creating employment opportunities for the country’s growing youth population. Among those in attendance was Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Managing Partner of Aruwa Capital Management and a leading voice in gender-lens and inclusive investing in Africa.
Rhodes described the meeting as a significant opportunity to showcase the work Aruwa Capital is doing to expand economic opportunities for women and young people across Nigeria. She highlighted that across Aruwa Capital’s investment portfolio, 70 percent of employees are under the age of 35, reflecting the firm’s commitment to youth empowerment through private-sector development and sustainable job creation.
During their discussion, Rhodes briefed the Duke on the progress of Aruwa Fund II, noting the recent commitment from British International Investment (BII)—a milestone she said was met with enthusiasm. She also underscored the importance of early partnerships, particularly the investment from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through FSD Africa in Aruwa Fund I, which played a catalytic role in helping the firm build a strong gender-lens investing track record.
Rhodes expressed appreciation for the continued recognition of the impact private capital can make in driving inclusion and economic growth. She reaffirmed Aruwa Capital’s intention to strengthen partnerships with the United Kingdom, particularly those aimed at unlocking opportunities for Nigeria’s next generation.
The Duke’s visit forms part of ongoing UK efforts to support job creation, youth development, and economic resilience across Nigeria.
