By Adedapo Adesanya
Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Nigeria aims to facilitate greater foreign capital flows while working to deliver constructive solutions to leading businesses across critical sectors in Nigeria.
With this goal in sight, the investment company recently tapped Mr Dalu Ajene to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the company. He took up the role on November 1.
In a welcome statement, RMB CEO Emrie Brown said: “We are excited to mark ten years of doing business in Nigeria by welcoming Dalu to his new role. He brings exceptional local and international investment banking expertise to our clients. His appointment also underlines our growth ambitions in Nigeria and across the continent.”
RMB Nigeria opened its first office in Lagos in 2012 and has just opened its second office in Abuja, for which it is actively hiring. It advises clients across key sectors of the economy, from telecommunications, consumer goods, and oil and gas; to infrastructure and, increasingly, renewable energy.
On his part, Mr Ajene said, “I’m humbled by the opportunity to take up this role at such a critical time for Nigeria. Like other countries, Nigeria is facing higher import costs, higher inflation, rising interest rates, and dynamic macroeconomic conditions. But it’s in these times that opportunities always present themselves.
“We are seeing clients position themselves to take advantage of the volatility, and we are working with these clients to proffer solutions to navigate them through the challenges they face.”
The new CEO added that RMB Nigeria is well positioned to fund and advise Nigerian companies but also help drive foreign direct investment into the country.
“Attracting capital is fundamental to the success of any economy. RMB Nigeria is very well placed to work with investors to demystify doing business in Nigeria and also to facilitate capital flows.”
Mr Ajene also said he would continue to invest in the people and the community that RMB Nigeria serves.
“We are fulfilled and energised by our partnerships with those in need and will continue to prioritise all stakeholders. We are committed to clients and providing sustainable contributions that benefit the communities in which we all serve for the long term.”
Prior to his new role, Ajene served as the head of Client Coverage at RMB in South Africa, responsible for client origination teams in South Africa, Broader Africa, and the UK. He also served as Deputy CEO and Head of Investment Banking at RMB Nigeria, where he previously headed up the Corporate Finance business.
Over his 21 years of experience, he has executed over $15 billion worth of advisory, capital markets, and financing transactions in several continents, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Mr Ajene holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Dartmouth College.
