LAGOS, Nigeria, March 20, 2025
The pulse of West Africa’s financial elite came alive in Lagos as industry leaders gathered for the prestigious DealMakers AFRICA Annual Gala Awards, an evening dedicated to honouring the region’s most impactful mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance deals of the year.
Hosted at the iconic EbonyLife Place, the ceremony brought together top-tier dealmakers, legal experts, and financial advisers, all shaping the future of Africa’s investment landscape.
More than just an awards night, the event served as a reflection of a dynamic year in corporate finance, spotlighting the advisory firms and institutions that have driven high-value transactions across the region.
Where Numbers Meet Influence
The DealMakers AFRICA Awards stand out for their credibility, rooted largely in measurable performance such as deal value and transaction volume. However, a select trio of categories introduces a human and strategic dimension: Deal of the Year, Private Equity Deal of the Year, and Individual DealMaker of the Year.
These honours go beyond figures, evaluating transformational impact, execution complexity, and long-term value creation, elements that define truly landmark deals.
Defining Deals of the Year
In a competitive field, five standout transactions were shortlisted for the coveted West Africa Deal of the Year, including major capital raises, strategic acquisitions, and landmark listings.
Emerging as the winner was GTCO’s international equity offering and listing on the London Stock Exchange, a move that not only elevated the institution’s global profile but also signalled a new era for Nigeria’s capital markets. The deal has since been regarded as a benchmark for African financial institutions seeking global relevance.
Private Equity’s Big Moment
The Private Equity Deal of the Year category reflected a strong year for strategic exits and investor confidence.
Taking the top prize was Helios Investment Partners’ exit from Axxela, one of the largest private equity exits in Nigeria’s energy sector in recent times. The transaction underscored growing investor appetite for high-quality infrastructure assets, particularly within the energy space.
Faces Behind the Deals
Beyond institutions, the awards celebrated individuals whose expertise continues to shape the industry.
In a rare joint recognition, Seyi Bella and Bimbo Oyeyiga were named Individual DealMakers of the Year (West Africa), applauded for their exceptional contributions, leadership, and execution of complex transactions.
The Industry’s Top Performers
The evening also honoured leading financial and legal advisers across mergers and acquisitions, equity markets, and debt transactions. Institutions such as Standard Chartered Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Stanbic IBTC Capital led the financial advisory rankings, while legal heavyweights, including Dentons, Templars, and Banwo & Ighodalo dominated the legal advisory categories.
These recognitions reinforce the critical role advisory firms play in structuring, negotiating, and delivering high-stakes deals across the continent.
A Legacy of Excellence
Launched in South Africa in 2000 and expanded continent-wide in 2008, DealMakers AFRICA has grown into a benchmark platform for measuring excellence in dealmaking. Today, it remains a trusted barometer of performance, innovation, and influence within Africa’s financial ecosystem.
See the nomination list below
In the West Africa Deal of the Year category, DealMakers AFRICA shortlisted five deals. These were (in no particular order):
- Presco’s ₦236 billion Rights Issue
- Acquisition by Bosquet Investments of a 21.22% stake in Ecobank Transnational
- GTCO’s international equity offering and listing on the LSE
- West Power and Gas’ disposal of a 60% stake in Eko Electricity Distribution Company
- MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund’s listing on the NGX
The winner of the Brunswick West Africa Deal of the Year 2025 was GTCO’s international equity offering and listing on the LSE. The transaction stands as a milestone in Nigeria’s capital market’s evolution, setting a new benchmark for African financial institutions and reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the global market’s ecosystem. The advisory firms to the deal were Citigroup Global Markets, Chapel Hill Denham Advisory, Banwo & Ighodalo, ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode, N.Dowuona and Company, White & Case, Clifford Chance, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and Ernst & Young.
In the category of Private Equity Deal of the Year (West Africa), DealMakers AFRICA shortlisted four transactions. These were (in no particular order):
- Disposal of Baobab to Beltone Holdings
- Exit by Africa Capital Alliance from Aradel Holdings
- Exit of Axxela by Helios Investment Partners
- Arnergy’s Series B equity raise
The winner of the Ansarada West Africa Private Equity Deal of the Year 2025 was Helios Investment Partners’ exit of its 75% stake in Axxela. The acquisition represents one of the largest private equity exits in Nigeria’s energy sector in recent years and the largest private equity exit in Nigeria during 2025. The transaction reflects the strong investor appetite for high-quality energy infrastructure assets. The advisory firms to the deal were Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, Banwo & Ighodalo, Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper Africa (Nigeria) | Olajide Oyewole and Asafo & Co.
The award for Individual DealMaker of the Year 2025 (West Africa), which seeks to acknowledge the services provided by an individual to the industry and region as a whole. This is the third time the award was made – the number and calibre of nominations received for 2025 were particularly notable. After considerable deliberation by the Independent Panel, with specific focus on transactions announced in 2025, seven individuals were shortlisted from a pool of 13 candidates. They were (in alphabetical order):
- Ayodeji Oyetunde (Aluko & Oyebode)
- Azeezah Muse-Sadiq (Banwo & Ighodalo)
- Bimbo Oyeyiga (RMB Nigeria)
- Fidelis Adewole (G.Elias)
- Seyi Bella (Banwo & Ighodalo)
- Taofeek Siyanbola (Stanbic IBTC Capital)
- Wolemi Esan (Owaniwu Ajayi)
The Individual DealMaker of the Year (West Africa) was presented jointly to Seyi Bella, a partner at Banwo & Ighodalo and Bimbo Oyeyiga, head of the corporate finance function at RMB Nigeria.
The following awards were made on the night to the top financial and legal advisers to the West African mergers and acquisitions industry:
Mergers & Acquisitions
Financial Adviser by deal value
1st Standard Chartered Bank
2nd Morgan Stanley
3rd Stanbic IBTC Capital
Financial Adviser by deal activity
1st Enexus Finance
2nd tie Stanbic IBTC Capital and KeysFinance Partners
Legal Adviser by deal value
1st Dentons
2nd Templars
3rd Asafo & Co
Legal Adviser by deal activity
1st Asafo & Co
2nd G.Elias
3rd Templars
General Corporate Finance –Equity Market transactions
Financial Adviser by transaction value
1st Coronation Merchant Bank
2nd FCMB Capital Markets
3rd CardinalStone Partners
Financial Adviser by transaction activity
1st CardinalStone Partners
2nd tie Coronation Merchant Capital and FCMB Capital Markets
Legal Adviser by transaction value
1st Banwo & Ighodalo
2nd Olaniwun Ajayi
3rd Templars
Legal Adviser by transaction activity
1st Banwo & Ighodalo
2nd ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode
3rd tie Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and Olaniwun Ajayi
Debt Market transactions
Financial Adviser by transaction value
1st Stanbic IBTC Capital
2nd Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria
3rd Vetiva Advisory Services
Financial Adviser by transaction activity
1st Stanbic IBTC Capital
2nd FCMB Capital Markets
3rd Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria
Legal Adviser by transaction value
1st Banwo & Ighodalo
2nd G.Elias
3rd Templars
Legal Adviser by transaction activity
1st Banwo & Ighodalo
2nd tie ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode and G.Elias
About DealMakers AFRICA
DealMakers AFRICA is a specialist financial publication and data platform that records and analyses corporate finance activity across the continent (excluding South Africa). Launched in 2008 to expand deal tracking beyond South Africa. Its core aim is to document and rank deal activity across Africa’s financial ecosystem.
For Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
Private equity deals
Equity raising & listings
Debt financing and restructuring
Publishes quarterly reports and annual rankings of deals and advisers
TSM Network Ltd: Powering Events, Investment, and Culture
At the intersection of business, culture, and global engagement stands TSM Network Ltd, a fast-rising powerhouse redefining how events and investment platforms are delivered across Africa and beyond.
With operations spanning Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and other emerging markets, the company has built a strong reputation for curating high-impact experiences that connect governments, investors, brands, and audiences.
From premium conferences and large-scale festivals to strategic investment platforms, TSM Network Ltd continues to position itself as a catalyst for economic growth and cultural influence.
What Sets TSM Apart
TSM Network Ltd’s portfolio reflects a dynamic blend of innovation and execution:
Global Events & Experiential Marketing: Delivering world-class conferences, exhibitions, and immersive brand experiences.
Pan-African Entertainment Platforms: Driving initiatives like ORBIT Music Festivals, bridging Africa’s creative industry with global audiences.
Investment Promotion & Deal Facilitation: Creating platforms that unlock partnerships between governments and investors.
Infrastructure & Project Advisory: Structuring transformative developments, including urban mobility and real estate projects.
Corporate Events & Brand Activation: Crafting premium, tailor-made experiences for leading organisations.
A Vision Beyond Events
More than an events company, TSM Network Ltd operates as a strategic enabler—facilitating partnerships, shaping narratives, and delivering platforms that drive both economic and cultural impact.
With a growing network of global partners and a track record of excellence, the company continues to push boundaries, reinforcing its position as a key player in Africa’s evolving business and entertainment ecosystem.
Contact
Twin Studios Media Int’l Ltd/TSM Network Ltd
events@tsmnetworkuk.com, tsmnetworkevents@gmail.com
www.tsmnetworkuk.com
Nigeria | United Kingdom | Global Operations
📞 +234 813 070 8359 | +44 741 835 0983 | +233 53 718 8995
TSM Network Ltd – Your Events at Super Styles. Super Brands. Super Impact.
