RESPONSIBLE INVESTING & DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES

IN LOW GROWTH ENVIRONMENT

200+

attendees

46+

Speakers

41+

Pension funds

14+

Countries

The Pension Funds and Alternative Investments Africa conference (PIAFRICA)  took place on March 15-16, 2023 in Mauritius, bringing together over 160 in-person delegates and more than 30 virtual attendees from 14 countries to explore opportunities and solutions in the unprecedented era of risks facing the world. The event featured over 40 expert speakers and was sponsored by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and The Trade and Development Bank (TDB), AfrAsia Bank and LS Advisors supported by the government of Mauritius and our support partners.

The Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Honorable Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, lauded the conference theme of responsible investing and diversification strategies in a low-growth environment. He highlighted Africa’s immense potential and announced new ESG initiatives to give confidence to the international investing community.

Keynote speakers discussed how debt has fuelled inflation and how local currency debt may be a better option than forex-denominated debt. They also highlighted the importance of robust governance for macro-economic performance and called for new models to navigate the current context with alternatives at the heart of the diversification debate.

Overall, the PIAFRICA 2023 conference was a success, providing valuable insights on innovative investment strategies for driving sustainable growth. The conference sessions highlighted the importance of better alignment between fees and performance, robust benchmarking, and early-stage support for attractive infrastructure investments. Additionally, the discussions emphasized the benefits of alternative assets, the need for innovation to meet pension funds’ specific needs, and the upside opportunity for private equity investors in Africa. As a whole, the conference provided a platform to showcase the pivotal role of pension funds and alternative investments in diversifying portfolios and channelling Africa’s savings into capital, with a focus on responsible investing and long-term sustainability as key drivers of success in this context.

Join us in Mauritius in March 2024

‘’The PIAFRICA conference 2023 was a major success. It was a real privilege to be one of the sponsor and speaker of this event. I was delighted to meet such a great panel of African Pension funds and discuss of the diversification benefits of investing into alternative asset classes, after a horrendous 2022 for the 60/40 (Equity / Bonds) balanced portfolio. As well as how to integrate ESG into the investment process for African Pension funds and the changing regulatory landscape for ESG investments. For LS Advisors, it was the right place to exchange information and keep updated on the trends and challenges our clients are facing in 2023.’’

         Yann Robbiola, Partner & CEO – European Sales Director, LS Advisors

“The 6th Pension Funds and Alternative Investments Africa Conference held in Mauritius during March stood out for me in the calibre of attendees, the effectiveness of organising and the relevance of content to prevailing macro-economic and investment themes that asset allocators face today.Having attended the 5th iteration of this event, which took place just as we were exiting the controls of the COVID pandemic, I can only say it is encouraging to see the leaps and bounds of improved quality that the event enjoys and hope this will continue into the future.”

         Vuyolwethu Nogantshi, Head: Distribution Index & Structured Solutions, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (Absa CIB)

“The 6th PIAFRICA event organised by AME Trade was very well organised and well attended. Senior executives from the pensions industry, PE, infrastructure funds and insurance industry were present, and it provided a good opportunity for networking.”

          SAMSON VESE, Financial Institutions(Public Sector & NBFIs), Africa Finance Corporation

“Thank you for a very impactful conference that was filled with insightful conversations by expert panels. What a conference, with relevant discussions and presentations for a time as this”

          LESLIE NDAWANA, Principal Executive Officer, National Fund for Municipal Workers

Thank you for the opportunity to participate – from what I could see it was a really well organised, professional event and it was evident that the attendees enjoyed and found benefit from it. Good luck for the next event!

Dr Ronel Williams, Head of Client Legal & Administration, Trust|Qore

‘’The PIAFRICA conference 2023 was a major success. It was a real privilege to be one of the sponsor and speaker of this event. I was delighted to meet such a great panel of African Pension funds and discuss of the diversification benefits of investing into alternative asset classes, after a horrendous 2022 for the 60/40 (Equity / Bonds) balanced portfolio. As well as how to integrate ESG into the investment process for African Pension funds and the changing regulatory landscape for ESG investments. For LS Advisors, it was the right place to exchange information and keep updated on the trends and challenges our clients are facing in 2023.’’

          Yann Robbiola

           Partner & CEO – European Sales Director

           LS Advisors

“The 6th Pension Funds and Alternative Investments Africa Conference held in Mauritius during March stood out for me in the calibre of attendees, the effectiveness of organising and the relevance of content to prevailing macro-economic and investment themes that asset allocators face today. Having attended the 5th iteration of this event, which took place just as we were exiting the controls of the COVID pandemic, I can only say it is encouraging to see the leaps and bounds of improved quality that the event enjoys and hope this will continue into the future.”

          Vuyolwethu Nogantshi

          Head: Distribution Index & Structured Solutions

          Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (Absa CIB)

“Great to connect with so many decision makers to discuss the real challenges facing the African continent to explore how Pension Funds can be the catalyst for real development and investment into both infrastructure projects along with MSE’s and SME’s via concessional loans. The execution of these strategies will strengthen Africa’s place on the world stage and reveal to many that it really is the last frontier in economic development, with a targeted workforce bigger than India and China combined by 2035.”

          JOHN FÉLICITÉ, Director – Africa, Ocorian Investments

“The 6th PIAFRICA event organised by AME Trade was very well organised and well attended. Senior executives from the pensions industry, PE, infrastructure funds and insurance industry were present, and it provided a good opportunity for networking.”

          SAMSON VESE, Financial Institutions(Public Sector & NBFIs), Africa Finance Corporation

“Thank you for a very impactful conference that was filled with insightful conversations by expert panels. What a conference, with relevant discussions and presentations for a time as this”

          LESLIE NDAWANA, Principal Executive Officer, National Fund for Municipal Workers