THE INAUGURAL PAFMA CONFERENCE
EVENT: THE INAUGURAL PAFMA CONFERENCE
CLIENT: FINANCIAL SECTOR DEEPENING AFRICA (FSD)
VENUE: RADISSON BLU HOTEL, UPPERHILL
DATES: 27TH -28TH JANUARY 2025
The Moment
The Inaugural Pan Africa Fund Managers Alliance Conference convened fund managers, institutional investors, regulators, policymakers and development partners from across the continent.
Under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Wealth: The Power of Local Capital Mobilisation,” the conference created space for dialogue on strengthening domestic capital markets to finance Africa’s development. A defining milestone of the gathering was the launch of the Africa Pensions and Asset Management Data Hub, alongside sector focused non deal roadshows highlighting regional investment opportunities.
With limited planning time and a high calibre audience, the expectation was clear. The event needed to reflect institutional credibility, operational precision and alignment with strong ESG principles.
Waridi partnered with Financial Sector Deepening Africa to deliver the conference from concept refinement through to onsite execution.
Delivering Through Partnership
Despite a compressed planning window, the event was executed smoothly through a partnership focused approach.
Waridi worked closely with the client team to translate vision into practical delivery, maintaining flexibility to accommodate last minute program adjustments while preserving structure and flow. Venue related constraints were resolved proactively, ensuring seamless transitions across plenary sessions, the Data Hub launch and roadshow segments.
With 270 senior delegates in attendance, attention to detail was critical. Registration flow, stage management, speaker transitions and audience engagement were managed with discipline to reflect the seriousness of the subject matter.
The result was a conference that felt composed and credible, aligning fully with the client’s institutional standing.
Embedding Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability was not an add on. It was central to the brief.
Financial Sector Deepening Africa required the event to align with their ESG policies. Waridi approached planning through the lens of the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Non biodegradable materials were minimised wherever possible. Stage backdrops were produced using fabric rather than rigid substrates. Name badges were made from biodegradable materials. Signage systems were designed for reuse beyond the event. Where PVC banners were necessary, they were repurposed into functional bags after the conference, extending their lifecycle rather than contributing to waste.
Social sustainability was also embedded into delivery. Through our sister company, The Events Academy, alumni were engaged as part of the event staffing team, creating paid opportunities and practical experience. Local cultural groups, including Burundi drummers, were featured within the program, reinforcing regional representation.
Vendor selection further reflected this commitment. Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill is a certified sustainable venue. Pneuma Audiovisuals, responsible for production support, is affiliated with PAKPRO and the United Nations Global Compact. Aesthetics Experiences, the branding partner, operates as a responsible events and branding agency with sustainability policies in place.
Sustainability was therefore embedded not only in materials, but in partnerships.
A Responsible Platform for Capital Dialogue
Over two days, 270 delegates engaged in forward looking discussions on strengthening Africa’s financial ecosystems. The launch of the Africa Pensions and Asset Management Data Hub marked a key milestone, while the roadshow sessions created practical pathways for investment conversations.
The PAFMA Conference demonstrated that high level financial convenings can be delivered with both institutional rigour and environmental responsibility. It also reinforced Waridi’s capacity to manage complex, policy oriented gatherings within constrained timelines while maintaining strategic alignment with client values.
