Private Sector Investment Key to Africa’s Infrastructure Growth – Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore

By Genesis ogiri, Abuja,

Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore, Executive Director of the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI), has emphasized the critical role of private sector investment and financial system integration in advancing infrastructure development across Nigeria and the African continent. She made this statement during a panel session at the NGO Impact Investment Summit 2025, held on Saturday, May 17 at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.

The summit brought together development leaders, NGO executives, investors, and public-private sector actors to explore innovative funding models and partnerships aimed at accelerating sustainable development outcomes.

Dr. Kikiope called for stronger private sector engagement and the institutionalization of the summit as an annual event focused on driving sustainable impact investment across Nigeria and Africa.

Dr. Oluwarore praised the organizers of the summit for convening a timely and impactful gathering of development actors. She noted that the summit fills a crucial gap in the ongoing conversation around leveraging private capital and partnerships to address infrastructure and social development challenges.

 “The importance of this summit is glaring,” Dr. Oluwarore told Newsway Media. “It should not be a one-off. We need this kind of platform annually to bring together NGOs, investors, private sector leaders, and policymakers to share ideas, align goals, and co-create practical solutions.”

Dr. Oluwarore was also honored with the Humanitarian and Impactful Leadership Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to public health, community development, and advocacy through OHDI. The award was presented during the summit’s closing session to celebrate changemakers driving positive transformation across Africa.

“This recognition is not just mine, but a testament to the dedication of my team at OHDI and our partners who believe in the power of holistic, people-centered development,” Dr. Oluwarore said while accepting the award.

Speaking during a panel themed “Leveraging Private Sector Innovation for Infrastructure and Social Impact,” Dr. Oluwarore called for a paradigm shift in how African nations approach infrastructure development. She stressed that while public sector initiatives remain foundational, the private sector must step in with strategic, scalable investments that are anchored in sustainable financing models.

 “We can no longer rely solely on government spending or international aid. The private sector has the capital, innovation, and agility to drive large-scale infrastructure projects,” Dr. Oluwarore said. “However, this must be matched with efforts to leverage existing financial systems — including development finance institutions, blended finance tools, and inclusive investment frameworks — to create viable, long-term impact.”

She highlighted how initiatives in health, education, transport, and renewable energy infrastructure are often delayed or underfunded due to limited public resources. By aligning private capital with national development goals and community-driven projects, she said, stakeholders can unlock unprecedented growth while creating jobs and improving livelihoods.

Dr. Oluwarore also called on NGOs to play an intermediary role by identifying viable investment opportunities within underserved communities, and working collaboratively with both investors and government agencies to reduce risks and ensure social returns on investment.

She emphasized that private enterprises must play a more intentional role in Nigeria and Africa’s development journey. According to her, beyond profit-making, private companies must recognize the responsibility they owe to the communities that consume their products and services.

 “The private sector has enough resources and influence to give back meaningfully to the communities that have accepted them and helped them grow,” Dr. Oluwarore said. “Their Corporate Social Responsibility should go beyond tokenism — it should be strategic, sustained, and aimed at transforming infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other critical sectors.”

She further lauded the organizers of the summit for convening such a timely and impactful forum. Describing the summit as “critically important,” she urged that it be held annually, to continue fostering collaboration between NGOs, investors, and private stakeholders. She noted that the consistent engagement of these actors is vital to identifying emerging opportunities and removing barriers to inclusive growth.

“The importance of this summit is glaring,” she stated. “We must make it a recurring annual platform for shared learning and co-creation. The development space needs a meeting point like this to drive measurable impact.”

Dr. Oluwarore also pointed out the need to integrate private sector investments with existing financial systems, including development banks, microfinance institutions, and community-based financing models, to ensure that infrastructure growth is both scalable and sustainable.

Her remarks were echoed by other panelists and stakeholders, who stressed the importance of innovative financing and NGO-led accountability in driving long-term development goals across Africa.

The NGO Impact Investment Summit 2025 attracted leaders from civil society, business, government, and donor organizations, with a shared commitment to leveraging partnerships for social and economic transformation.

The summit concluded with a joint communique urging stakeholders to build stronger ecosystems for NGO-led impact investment and to promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) that are transparent, inclusive, and results-oriented.

One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) is a Nigerian non-profit organization working to promote holistic health and sustainable development through programs in public health, environment, and social justice, using the One Health approach.