By Lorna Pillay, Head of Corporates, Private and Institutional Asset Owners – Africa, India and Middle East
Attending the Lagos Private Wealth Conference 2025 in Nigeria on 21-22 May provided valuable insights into Africa’s rapidly evolving wealth landscape. The conference brought together international and domestic professionals, from private wealth advisors to corporate entrepreneurs and family offices, united by a shared commitment to enhancing wealth management strategies and preserving multigenerational wealth.
Discussions extended beyond traditional financial structures, exploring the deeper ethos of family, legacy and the foundational vision that drives generational continuity across several critical themes that are reshaping the African wealth management industry.
1. West Africa: A strategic hub for private wealth innovation
West Africa remains a focal point for private wealth professionals actively exploring innovative strategies to structure, preserve and grow family wealth. The region’s evolving financial landscape is driving unprecedented demand for sophisticated solutions that align with the long-term goals of high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
2. A rising generation of African entrepreneurs
Africa hosts a vibrant, young generation of entrepreneurs building substantial wealth across diverse sectors including oil and gas, education, healthcare, consumer goods and real estate. These emerging wealth creators are proactively implementing asset protection strategies, signalling a fundamental shift toward early-stage wealth planning and intergenerational foresight.
3. Structuring for legacy: Governance and values alignment
Wealth preservation in Africa goes hand in hand with preserving family values and vision. Families increasingly demand tailored structuring and planning through trusts, foundations, and corporate entities, complemented by robust governance frameworks that enable enterprises to diversify, scale and endure across generations.
4. Art as a cultural and financial asset
Nigerian art, celebrated for its rich heritage and cultural expression, is gaining recognition as both a cultural touchstone and strategic asset class. Beyond aesthetic and social value, art is increasingly incorporated into wealth preservation strategies through trusts and foundations, reflecting its growing importance in legacy planning among African high-net-worth individuals.
Conclusion
The insights from the Lagos Private Wealth Conference highlight the dynamic evolution of Africa’s wealth management sector. As socio-economic conditions, entrepreneurial innovation and cultural values continue shaping the investment landscape, the focus on sophisticated structuring solutions, early-stage planning and culturally relevant asset classes will be crucial in driving sustainable wealth preservation across generations.
