|#541 MWAVC| — An Ode to the Quintessential Banker💸🕊️
Dr. Herbert Wigwe - a finance titan gone too soon.
Hi,
Welcome (back) to MWAVC, a newsletter about finance, investing, venture capital and all that jazz. My name is Ato (more about me here and here) and I try to write every single day, inspired by Seth Godin (Seth’s Blog) and Fred Wilson (AVC). I haven’t done the best job over the last few months (read: years 😬), but I’m working to be better and more consistent, even as I manage this crazy schedule.
In case you’re new here. Quick introduction: I’ve been investing in some way shape or form for the last 12+ years and now work with one of the pre-eminent VC firms in Africa - Microtraction, and the family office that acts as the GP - Pave Investments. Read more on us here and here. Most of these writing are stuff I find interesting that I’d like to share and hear your thoughts on. This is also an outlet for my thoughts, lessons, asks etc. and I think you’d find most of it valuable if you’re remotely interested in learning about venture capital.
I’d be developing the content more, including things I think will be helpful and would appreciate any feedback on what’s working vs. not, and what could be helpful for you over the long term. If you’d like to sign up, you can do so here. Or just read on.
And BTW, If you are a (or know any) pre-seed, seed or Series A investor, looking to co-invest in African founders, please introduce them to me (ato@microtraction.com). Happy to learn about the next generation of category-defining businesses.
An Ode to the Quintessential Banker💸🕊️
This weekend, news of the unfortunate passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, CEO of Access Holdings Plc, some members of his family and another esteemed finance titan, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, spread all over African business circles.
Access Holdings Plc is Nigeria’s biggest bank by assets, and I’ve spent a fair share of my time studying Dr. Wigwe and his rise to the top of the finance world mainly through books and podcasts. Today’s post is simply an encouragement to pick up these two books - Leaving the Tarmac: Buying a Bank in Africa by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Vantage: My Life, Starting Out and Startups by Olumide Soyombo, where you will learn bits about the legacy he leaves behind. Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede and Dr. Wigwe were bosom friends turned business partners who had a deep sense of respect and loyalty towards each other. To Olumide, Dr. Wigwe was a mentor who was so kind to pen the foreword to his autobiography. My condolences to families, friends and colleagues of all who passed. RIP.
You can purchase Leaving the Tarmac here and Vantage here.
If you are a (or know any) pre-seed, seed or Series A investor, looking to co-invest in African founders, please introduce them to me (ato@microtraction.com) and let’s do some work together.
Remember: “Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”
Please share and subscribe as well.
Till tomorrow,
AB