By Abolaji Adebayo
AA&R Investment Group is making a significant bet on Nigeria’s economic future, investing in high-impact sectors to drive diversification and reduce the nation’s reliance on oil.
This move comes as the International Monetary Fund projects Nigeria’s GDP to grow by 3.4% in 2025, creating new opportunities for private sector investors to bridge critical gaps in the economy.
Founded in 2017 and led by Abdullahi Haske, the indigenous conglomerate , which has evolved from humble beginnings into a multi-sector powerhouse, makes investments in oil and gas, agribusiness, logistics, maritime, information technology, and aviation.
The group is focusing on building scalable businesses that leverage Nigeria’s vast demographics, including a population of over 220 million people, 70% of whom are under the age of 30.
Speaking, Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of AA&R Investment Group, Oladipo Williams, said: “Nigeria’s economy holds immense untapped potential to boost industrial capacity and reduce import reliance, but unlocking it will require bold, homegrown solutions. Our strategy is simple: invest in sectors that solve real problems while creating inclusive opportunities for communities.”
Central to this strategy are agro-industrial projects like the Demsa Integrated Rice Project and the Kaiama Cassava Initiative.
“These ventures are designed to formalise agricultural activities, create local value chains, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports by linking outgrowers, processing plants, and markets.”
The company emphasised that its subsidiaries are not standalone ventures but interconnected pieces of a broader plan to build economic resilience.
Beyond profits, AA&R cites inclusive development and ethical conduct as core to its corporate DNA.
The company invests in local community partnerships, workforce development, and farmer initiatives, aiming to unlock productivity and wealth creation within an informal sector that still accounts for 57% of the nation’s GDP.
With Nigeria forecast to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opening new cross-border opportunities, AA&R is positioning itself as a catalyst for both Nigeria’s transformation and Africa’s long-term prosperity.
