Adebayo Ogunlesi, a Nigerian lawyer and investment banker, is a top figure in the finance and infrastructure sectors. He serves as the Chairman and Managing Partner at Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm based in New York.
Prior to co-founding GIP in 2006, Ogunlesi had a remarkable career at Credit Suisse First Boston for over two decades, where he climbed the ranks to become the chief client officer and executive vice chairman.
A standout moment in Ogunlesi’s career was his pivotal role in GIP’s acquisition of Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second-largest airport by passenger traffic, where GIP has held the majority share since 2009. Under his leadership, GIP also acquired two other major UK airports: London City Airport in 2006 and Edinburgh Airport in 2012.
Beyond finance, Ogunlesi’s influence extends to the board of directors at Goldman Sachs, where he became lead director in 2014. He also provided valuable advice and expertise, participating in platforms like former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum in December 2016.
In 2019, he was recognized as one of the top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine, a testament to his impact and influence in the business world.
Ogunlesi’s legacy is marked by a remarkable track record of achievements and leadership roles on the global stage.
Billionaires.Africa has identified and tracked companies with direct or indirect ownership by Ogunlesi, which include these companies:
- Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP)
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is a renowned infrastructure investment fund founded by Adebayo Ogunlesi in 2006. Specializing in equity and debt investments within the energy, transport, water, and waste sectors, GIP manages a substantial asset portfolio from its offices in New York, London, and Sydney. Under the leadership of Ogunlesi, the chairman and managing partner, GIP oversees approximately $100 billion in assets as of 2023, directing its core efforts toward advancing the infrastructure of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations.
- ADNOC Gas Pipelines
ADNOC Gas Pipelines is a subsidiary of the world’s leading energy company, Saudi Aramco, and is a key player in the energy and petrochemicals sector. Under Ogunlesi’s leadership at GIP, the private equity firm acquired a 49 percent stake in ADNOC Gas Pipelines, a deal valued at $20.7 billion. This acquisition aligns with GIP’s strategy of investing in high-quality infrastructure assets and building long-term strategic partnerships with industry leaders.
- London City Airport
London City Airport, located in London, England, is an international airport and the fifth busiest in London. Global Infrastructure Partners, under Ogunlesi’s guidance, acquired this airport, expanding its presence in the aviation sector.
- London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second-largest international airport, was acquired by Global Infrastructure Partners for £1.455 billion ($1.76 billion) in 2009, with Ogunlesi’s leadership. Vinci later acquired a majority stake in 2018, but GIP continues to manage a significant share. Gatwick serves as a secondary hub for British Airways and easyJet.
- Tower Vision India
Tower Vision India, an independent tower management company specializing in telecom infrastructure, became part of Global Infrastructure Partners with a 43-percent stake acquisition. The deal, led by Ogunlesi, was valued at more than $150 million, reflecting GIP’s commitment to expanding investments in the telecommunications sector.
- ACS Renewables
ACS Renewables, a global renewable power generation company, secured a 49-percent share in a company overseeing 460 MW of assets across Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Uruguay, and Peru under Ogunlesi’s leadership at GIP. This strategic move solidified GIP’s position in the renewable energy sector.
- Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori
Ogunlesi played a pivotal role in GIP’s acquisition of a majority stake in Italian high-speed rail company Italo. GIP acquired a 72.6-percent stake in NTV, valued at €1.94 billion ($2.35 billion), in February 2018. This acquisition strengthened GIP’s presence in the transportation sector.
- Atlas Renewable Energy
Atlas Renewable Energy, backed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) under the leadership of Ogunlesi, has made significant strides in renewable energy projects. Known for its pioneering initiatives, the company benefits from a strong capital source and industry expertise.
- Edinburgh Airport
Managed by Ogunlesi-led Global Infrastructure Partners, Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport, welcoming more than 14.7 million passengers in 2019. It also ranked as the sixth-busiest airport in the UK in terms of total passenger traffic in 2019, showcasing GIP’s commitment to the aviation sector.
- Bluepoint Wind
Bluepoint Wind is a joint venture between Global Infrastructure Partners (led by Ogunlesi) and Ocean Winds. The company owns an offshore wind lease in the New York Bight region and is developing a world-scale offshore wind farm. This project aims to supply power to the New York and New Jersey power markets, further emphasizing GIP’s contribution to sustainable energy solutions.
