Sports Business Brand Latest Brand News, Sports, Entertainment, Marketing, Sponsorships
Ojeikere Aikhoje
Founded in 1995, Afrinvest, now front-of-shirt sponsor of Nigeria Premier Football Club side, Rangers, has grown from a boutique stockbroking firm into one of Nigeria’s most respected investment banking and asset management groups.
Over three decades, the company has built a reputation anchored on trust, innovation, and excellence – values that continue to shape its brand identity.
To commemorate the milestone, Afrinvest hosted a grand anniversary event in Lagos, unveiling the 20th edition of its flagship Nigerian Banking Sector Report (BSR), themed “ACT-BOLD: Beyond a Trillion-Dollar Economy.” The report reinforced Afrinvest’s status as a thought leader driving conversations on financial growth and national development.
With offices across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, and Kano, Afrinvest has expanded its footprint while maintaining its commitment to democratising access to finance. Its forward-looking approach and consistent delivery of value position it as a trusted partner for individuals, institutions, and governments.
At 30, Afrinvest is not just celebrating its history—it is affirming its vision for the future.
The brand continues to inspire confidence, setting a benchmark in corporate leadership that resonates across business and sport.
History
The story of Afrinvest centres around three personalities: former governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, Philip Iheanacho, and Ike Chioke. The journey began when Obaseki returned to Lagos after a stint in investment banking in New York and founded Securities Transaction and Trust Company Limited (SecTrust), in 1995.
His friend Philip Iheanacho founded Afrinvest Limited in London.
In 2006, SecTrust acquired Afrinvest Nigeria under the leadership of Ike Chioke.
The merger created a formidable investment banking institution known not just for transactions, but also for its annual “Nigerian Banking Sector Report,” which has since become a reference point in the industry.
Growth
Afrinvest’s Board Chairman, Donald Lawson, reflected on the group’s growth over the decades.
“Today, from a single Lagos office, Afrinvest now operates across five major Nigerian cities: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Onitsha, and Kano.”
He added that what began as a stockbroking and advisory outfit has evolved into six distinct businesses, covering investment banking, asset management, trust services, and more.
Innovation
A central highlight of the anniversary was the unveiling of the 20th edition of the Nigerian Banking Sector Report, themed “ACT-BOLD: Beyond a Trillion-Dollar Economy.”
According to Group Managing Director Ike Chioke, the report is “both a call to action and a framework for Nigeria’s growth.”
Football Sponsorship
In 2023, Afrinvest became the front-of-jersey sponsor of Rangers International in a landmark three-year deal. The sponsorship, valued at ₦50 million per season, represents more than visibility; it reflects Afrinvest’s belief in the power of sport to drive socio-economic development, inspire youth, and uplift communities.
It underscores the brand’s commitment to building bridges between finance, sport, and community.
By supporting Rangers International while championing financial growth, Afrinvest demonstrates how purposeful sponsorship can deliver impact beyond the pitch.
At 30, the brand stands tall as a symbol of resilience and vision—proving that finance and football can move forward together.
