Business
Royal Exchange Shifts to Asset Management, Boosts Income to N1.7bn
Royal Exchange Plc has accelerated its transition into an asset management-focused business, reporting a 5 percent increase in earned income to N1.7 billion, up from N1.57 billion in 2024, as the company begins to reap the benefits of its completed three-year transformation strategy.
The improved performance also saw profit after tax rise to N851 million, underscoring growing momentum in its restructured operations.
Speaking at the company’s 57th Annual General Meeting held virtually, Chairman Ikeme Osakwe revealed that the Group recorded a profit after tax of N851 million, reflecting improved financial performance.
Osakwe attributed the growth to the successful execution of a three-year transformation strategy, which concluded in 2024 and repositioned the company into an asset management-focused entity.
According to him, the strategic shift has begun to yield measurable results, with stronger financial trends and a more diversified portfolio. He noted that the next phase of the company’s journey will centre on deepening its asset management capabilities while driving growth and profitability across its investee companies.
He added that Royal Exchange aims to leverage its restructured portfolio to deliver long-term value, while evolving beyond its legacy status into a more agile and reliable partner for clients. The company, he said, is focused on building a culture rooted in transparency, disciplined risk-taking, and sustainable growth.
Osakwe also emphasised that the Group’s newly established structure will support its expansion beyond traditional insurance, enabling the development of products tailored to current market realities. He highlighted ongoing investments in talent and strategic partnerships as key to strengthening customer engagement and scaling operations profitably.
He expressed appreciation to the board and management team for their commitment over the past year, noting that their efforts were instrumental to the company’s achievements.
Looking ahead, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering long-term value and exceeding the expectations of investors.
Tony Elumelu played a supreme role in getting investment bank Afrinvest back on track in 2011 after the global financial meltdown pushed the investment bank to the brink, its chief executive recalled in a letter to the tycoon seen by PREMIUM TIMES.
The multisectoral magnate, who is the top shareholder of United Bank for Africa, the Transcorp Group, and Seplat Energy, granted a soft loan of $1 million to Ike Chioke, the CEO of the financial institution, as a mark of urgent support when the firm direly needed the cash to recapitalise, the latter said.
“Fifteen years ago, Afrinvest was navigating one of the most challenging periods in its history, as we struggled to rebuild and recapitalise the business in the aftermath of the global financial crisis,” Mr Chioke said.
“At that critical juncture, when the future was far from certain, you made the remarkable decision to lend me US$1 million of your personal funds. You placed your confidence not simply in the prospects of a business but in me as an individual, my integrity, my determination and my conviction that Afrinvest could emerge stronger from adversity.”
This June, Mr Chioke eventually completed the repayment of the credit, according to the letter, describing the gesture as an extraordinary act of friendship, generosity and trust.
READ ALSO: Afrinvest repays undocumented $1 million from Elumelu with interest
Mr Elumelu, whose economic vision is anchored on what he calls “Africapitalism” – an investment philosophy that prioritises the private sector’s role in democratising the wealth Africa needs to power large-scale growth, has been involved in active philanthropic initiatives on the continent.
In March, his foremost charity project, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, turned sixteen, and he said the initiative had disbursed over $100 million in seed capital to 24,000 entrepreneurs in Africa and created more than 1.5 million jobs over the period.
The foundation expects to fund an additional 3,200 entrepreneurs this year, it said in September.
Mr Chioke applauded the profound impact Mr Elumelu’s financial assistance has had on Afrinvest, notably transforming it into a diversified regional financial services group with an expanding universe of clients and operations in asset management, investment banking, research & consulting, and securities trading.
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