Fola Aina

3 Important Things I Wish I Knew 25 Years Ago: 1. Every effort outside God is an effort in futility. 2. As you think in your heart so are you. You are responsible for what you make out of life. 3. Your mistakes don't define you.They are undiluted feedback towards success.

Happy Eid ul-Fitr to all who are celebrating ! Blessings to you and your loved ones Ameen.

Dear young Nigerian, You must run your race.If you haven't had a conversation yet with yourself about where you are heading to in life, now is the time to do so. Decide not to be a conformist but rather be original. Be deliberate. Be intentional. Put pen to paper on your story.

@AskMichaelTaiwo “Your character will take you places your fame will never have access to.” — Dr Fola Aina

Share that one quote that lives rent-free in your head.

@AskMichaelTaiwo I’d say Princeton!

An MT Scholar just rejected offers from: University of Michigan University of Chicago and Duke University He now needs to choose between: Princeton University and University of California at Berkeley! These offers are coming after years of trying. I love good problems.

Dear young Nigerian, Whenever it feels like others are way ahead of you in life remain steadfast. Don’t feel inadequate. Don't feel pressured to impress anyone either. Run at your own pace as you journey through life. You are enough. You are able. You are an achiever. Thrive!

📢 New Report Launch | Afreximbank Research We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest Babacar Ndiaye Lecture Series. The latest lecture was delivered by Dr Donald Kaberuka, former African Development Bank President on the theme “Leveraging Global Africa’s Capital for Development: The Imperative for Stronger African Financial Systems.” 🔗 Read the full report: research.knowledge.afreximbank.com/digital-conten… 🌍 Key Insights Africa stands at a pivotal moment. Despite global financial tightening and rising debt vulnerabilities, the continent possesses vast untapped pools of capital—domestic, diaspora, and institutional—that can transform its development trajectory if effectively mobilised. 🔑 1. The Global Africa Opportunity The report underscores the scale of “Global Africa” capital—including diaspora savings, pension funds, and sovereign assets—which, if strategically harnessed, could significantly narrow Africa’s development financing gap. 💰 2. Financing Gap vs Untapped Capital While Africa faces a persistent financing shortfall, substantial domestic resources remain underutilised. For example, pension funds and institutional capital pools are growing rapidly but are not yet fully channelled into productive sectors. (African Development Bank) 🏦 3. Stronger African Financial Systems Are Critical A central message of the report is clear: Africa must deepen and strengthen its own financial institutions and capital markets to intermediate savings into investment. This includes scaling development finance institutions, improving regulatory frameworks, and enhancing financial integration. 🌐 4. Reducing Dependence on External Financing Global financial fragmentation presents both risks and opportunities. The report argues that Africa must shift from reliance on external capital toward more resilient, internally anchored financing ecosystems—leveraging regional institutions and innovative instruments. 📈 5. Mobilising Capital for Industrialisation & Trade Effective capital mobilisation is essential to support industrialisation, value addition, and the expansion of intra-African trade—key pillars for boosting Africa’s share of global trade and accelerating growth. (Afreximbank) ⚙️ 6. Policy and Institutional Imperatives The report highlights the need for: •Deep and liquid capital markets •Better risk-sharing mechanisms •Innovative financing instruments (e.g., diaspora bonds, blended finance) •Stronger collaboration among African financial institutions 🚀 The Bottom Line Africa does not lack capital—it lacks the systems to fully harness it. Unlocking this potential will require bold reforms, stronger institutions, and a deliberate strategy to mobilise and retain African capital for African development. #Afreximbank #GlobalAfrica #DevelopmentFinance #CapitalMarkets #AfCFTA #AfricaRising

Dear young Nigerian, Above all, know yourself. Recognize your abilities and acknowledge that you have a significant role to play in determining how far you go in life. The limitations before you are the ones you accepted. There is more. Always go for more. Do more! Thrive!

Dear young Nigerian, Where you currently are is nothing compared to where you are heading too. Don't be discouraged. Don't stop. Don't quit. Don't give up. Better days are ahead of you. Keep working hard and smart. Your moment will surely come. Keep being diligent too. Flourish

Dear young Nigerian, Don't waste energy trying to 'be among' when you can 'stand out'. Create your unique identity. Be authentic. Don't just settle for a 'mindset'.Embrace a 'mindshift'. Dare to lead yourself daily. Respond to every challenge thrown at you with massive success.

Dear young Nigerian, This new week, is an opportunity at a fresh start. Use it well. Choose to be a person of excellence. Work on yourself. Invest in your mind. Be intentional in every area of your life,starting with a decision to be a better version of your previous self daily.

People do not value what they get for free.

Dear young Nigerian, Pay serious attention to the decisions you make daily. They have a profound impact on the quality of life you live and on the outcomes you experience. Don't make decisions born out of fear but from hope. Filter your mind and thoughts with positivity always.

Dear young Nigerian, Your life will continually gravitate towards the direction of your most dominant thoughts. Be careful about what you permit to occupy space in your mind. You become what you think of consistently. You are a product of your own long held beliefs. Be informed.

The day you recongnize that you don't need the permission of others to move forward in life, is the day all limitations you have placed on yourself evaporates.

Normalise self affirmation. Don’t wait for nobody to validate you. You are good enough. You are more than enough.

@ChinasaTOkolo @bellanaija Congratulations ma’am.

Thank you to @BellaNaija for the nice write-up on the work I'm undertaking at the World Bank! I didn't expect anyone to write an article based on the announcement I made yesterday, especially not so fast 😅

@taadelodun Wishing you a full and speedy recovery brother. Lots of love. God’s blessings always.

Afreximbank is pleased to share the publication of an important new volume: “Trade and Investment in Africa: A Research Companion,” edited by Professor Benedict Oramah, immediate past president of Afreximbank & Dr Yemi Kale @sgyemikale , Group Chief Economist/Managing Director, Research and Trade Intelligence at Afreximbank and published by Routledge. This timely book provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary exploration of the evolving landscape of trade, finance, and investment across the African continent. Trade and Investment in Africa: A Research Companion brings together leading scholars and practitioners to examine the structural transformation underway in African economies and the policy frameworks shaping Africa’s integration into the global economy. At a time when Africa is positioning itself as one of the world’s most dynamic economic frontiers, the book offers an in-depth analysis of how trade and investment can drive sustainable growth, industrialization, and economic diversification. The volume highlights the continent’s growing strategic importance in global value chains, its demographic advantage, and the emergence of regional trade initiatives designed to unlock intra-African commerce. One of the central themes of the book is the critical role of regional integration in accelerating economic transformation. With initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area reshaping the trade architecture of the continent, the book examines how harmonized policies, improved infrastructure, and stronger institutions can stimulate cross-border trade and investment flows. It also evaluates the challenges that remain—including trade barriers, infrastructure deficits, regulatory fragmentation, and limited access to long-term financing. The contributors provide rich empirical evidence and policy insights on key sectors that will shape Africa’s economic future, including manufacturing, natural resources, agriculture, digital services, and infrastructure development. They also explore the role of global partners, multilateral institutions, and private capital in catalyzing investment across the continent. Importantly, the book emphasizes the need for policies that promote inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring that economic growth translates into job creation, technological upgrading, and improved living standards. Another highlight of the volume is its focus on the intersection between trade, finance, and development policy. The chapters examine how financial institutions, development banks, and innovative financing mechanisms can help close Africa’s significant infrastructure and trade finance gaps. The book also explores the role of industrial policy, export promotion strategies, and investment facilitation in building resilient and competitive African economies. Overall, this research companion serves as an essential reference for policymakers, academics, development practitioners, and investors interested in Africa’s economic transformation. By combining rigorous analysis with practical policy perspectives, it provides valuable insights into how trade and investment can become powerful engines of prosperity for the continent. We encourage scholars, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in Africa’s development to explore this important contribution to the growing body of research on Africa’s economic integration and global competitiveness. You can access the link to the book here : taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.…

Dear young Nigerian, What you feed grows and what you starve lacks growth. Prioritize the growth of your mind. Feed your mind daily with positive thoughts. Maturity in mind is not of age but of growth. What you deposit in your mind determines how far you go in your life.

Who you follow on this app says a lot about your source of influence.