Abubakar Lewano

Abu is a seasoned finance and investment professional with more than two decades of experience mobilizing and structuring capital for high-impact sectors across Africa and other emerging markets.

He currently serves as Africa Lead for the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) and the Nectar Fund, where he supports climate and impact-focused investments across the continent.

Prior to this, he served as Africa Regional Lead at the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), the impact investment arm of the Open Society Foundations, where he managed a regional portfolio of catalytic investments across sectors including agribusiness, manufacturing, healthcare, climate-related investments, and private equity funds.

Before joining SEDF, he spent 11 years with Norfund, the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries, investing in commercial enterprises that mobilize private capital in frontier markets. He also held senior roles in the Corporate Banking Division of a leading commercial bank, where he structured innovative credit facilities for SMEs and corporate clients.

Abu holds a Doctorate in Finance from USIU–Africa in conjunction with Columbia Business School, New York, an MBA in Finance (Distinction) from Birmingham Business School, UK, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of Nairobi.