National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Chibuzor Alli
PwC Nigeria and First City Monument Bank were among the companies honoured at the 2024 DealMaker Africa Award.
The event, which marks the first in Nigeria since it was launched in South Africa in the year 2000, was held at Ebonylife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, DealMaker Chief Executive Officer, Marylou Greig, said the organisation was established with the aim of “recording eminent activities across the continent, compelling deals, equity raising, listing, and private equity transactions.”
According to her, the award aims at honouring grand-breaking achievements and innovation with a focus on spotlighting top-grossing advisory firms, fintech brands, wealth managers, and leaders in the West and East Africa banking, stock exchange, and finance sectors across all industries and sectors.
She added, “DealMakers Africa, which excludes South Africa, records transactions quarterly and, whenever possible, lists as many, if not all, of the funds involved in advising the parties to those transactions. Advisory firms are ranked by due value and by due flow, and transactions recorded are country-specific. The primary aim of deal-makers is to build close relationships with advisory firms.
“Initially, we are focused on East and West Africa, but we will be expanding to North and Southern Africa in due force. We feel that the purpose of establishing such ties is to ensure that DealMakers Africa not only develops into a relevant publication with a better understanding of the emanate spaced in these areas but also assists us in shaping the leading tables and awards that further reflect the work undertaken by the local advisory firms in each particular region.
“Our commitment to equity reporting and highlighting the work done across the continent by local firms has never been stronger, but for us to achieve this, we are relying on the relationships we have in continued flow with the advisory firms. Without your input, we are unable to achieve this. So tonight we are celebrating those deals that did make the light of day. The fact that significant and complex deals and transactions were announced is a testament to the hard work and adherence of the teams of people who drive this industry and who are here tonight. This achievement would go unrecognised tonight if not for our sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.”
Meanwhile, the event, which was attended by some top media organisations, brands, and sponsors of the programme across boards, featured the presentation of awards to firms in different categories.
Under the Financial Adviser/Deal Flow category, PwC Nigeria emerged 1st, Standard Chartered Bank emerged 2nd, and Horizon Africa Capital and Verdant Capital bagged 3rd and 4th, respectively.
Also, in the Financial Adviser/Transaction Value category, FCMB emerged 2nd, while Deloitte & Touch Financial Advisory Service emerged 1st in the Financial Adviser/Deal Value category.
In the Legal Advisers/Transaction Value, G. Elias & Co. emerge 2nd, while Aluko & Oyebode bag 3rd.
Similarly, the Individual DealMarker of the Year 2023 was awarded to Ayodele Adeyemi of the Faboya Banwo & Ighodalo firm and Chuma Ajene of Access Bank, while the Deal of the Year 2023 was awarded to the investment by Verod Capital and Pan African Towers.
A private entity Deal of the Year 2023 was awarded to Exit by Enko Capital and a stake in Netis Group.
Speaking in an interview with NATIONAL TELESCOPE, one of the awardees, Okechukwu Okoro, appreciated the firm for the recognition.
He said, “It has been an interesting one and this is my first time attending the DealMarkers event. I have followed DealMaker online through the years, but this is my first time coming in and it is interesting. It is an event that we always look forward to and it’s good that it’s holding her in Lagos live for the first time and I am happy to be part of it.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of TSM Network, UK and Nigeria, and strategic partner for the DealMakers Africa Awards, Mr. Domini Ajayi, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to excellence in the finance sector.
“For us, the DealMarkers impact majorly within the financial space, management and acquisition, and top companies and individuals who are most involved in the biggest deals within Africa, South Africa, East Africa, and soon we are going to North Africa. And so West Africa too has been playing a global role, particularly Nigeria. So because this year we had so many majors and acquisitions and wealth management, you know, closing great deals. So Nigeria is going to feature so much tonight at the award.”
