Hareter Babatunde Oralusi: Visionary Architect of African Development Finance

Hareter Babatunde Oralusi: Visionary Architect of African Development Finance

In the intersection where global capital meets grassroots transformation, few figures command as much respect as Hareter Babatunde Oralusi. Born on September 28, 1971, in Ibadan, Nigeria, this 53-year-old visionary has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential development financiers, seamlessly bridging the gap between diaspora wealth and homeland development needs.

Oralusi’s story is one of profound purpose. As he eloquently states: “This platform was born not out of profit alone, but out of a burden—a calling to answer Nigeria’s most urgent needs with capital that listens, heals, builds, and empowers.”

This philosophy has driven him to create what he calls a “development revolution,” transforming traditional investment paradigms into instruments of inclusive prosperity.

 Royal Heritage, Global Vision

Descended from the royal Oranfe Dynasty of ancient Ife, Oralusi carries the weight of nobility with the pragmatism of a modern entrepreneur. His unique background—born into a multi-faith household with both Christian and Muslim heritage—has instilled in him a deep appreciation for diversity and inclusion that permeates his work.

He was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and hails from a lineage of distinction and service. His father, Moses Dokun Oralusi, was a principled civil servant, and his mother, Adunni Abiodun Oralusi (née Bajoo), was a hardworking trader known for her strength and compassion. He is the great-grandson of Chief Joseph Obawaye Oralusi, a respected nobleman and warlord of Ife, whose legacy of leadership and courage continues to shape the Oralusi name.

His educational journey from Ibadan Grammar School to Austria in the 1990s, culminating in a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Organisational Development from PEF Private University of Management in Vienna, and completing the Level 7 Business & Management Programme at Frisby College, UK reflects his global outlook and commitment to continuous learning.

Passion as Impact Investor

Under Oralusi’s leadership, the Nigerian Capital Development Fund (NCDF Group) has become Nigeria’s most dynamic development finance ecosystem. In 2025, he orchestrated the launch of a groundbreaking $1billion Nigeria Impact Investment Development Plan—a transformative initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy vision and Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025).

This isn’t merely an investment program; it’s a comprehensive strategy targeting six critical sectors namely renewable energy: scalable clean energy infrastructure for rural electrification; affordable housing targeting over 10,000 housing units through the NCDF Diaspora.

Affordable Housing Programme; healthcare infrastructure with a view to modernized health facilities and digital platforms; agriculture with agro-processing hubs and value-chain infrastructure; financial inclusion providing micro-insurance and digital financial services; as well as innovation financing designed to support for high-growth, tech-enabled startups

This initiative is more than funding—it’s about “delivering real impact and structured capital to address Nigeria’s pressing development challenges.”

Oralusi’s influence extends far beyond Nigeria’s borders. He established EmergX Finance Corporation in the UK, a development finance institution regulated under the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This London-based entity focuses on issuing green and social bonds while managing Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for transformative African infrastructure projects.

His academic leadership includes founding the London School of Social Enterprise and Sustainable Economics (UK) and establishing Fatherland Holdings Inc. in the United States, creating a truly global ecosystem for impact investing and diaspora engagement.

Public Service Legacy

Oralusi’s commitment to public service spans over two decades. His tenure as Senior Special Assistant on Rural Development and Water Resources to the Governor of Osun State (2007-2010) demonstrated his practical understanding of governance challenges. His 2015 role as Director General of the Forerunner Group during President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign showcased his strategic political acumen.

His recent move to join the All Progressives Congress in 2021 reflects his pragmatic approach to political engagement—always focused on advancing development objectives regardless of party lines.

The Ubuntu Philosophy

Central to Oralusi’s approach is his deep belief in Ubuntu—the African philosophy that emphasizes interconnectedness and collective prosperity. As noted on the NDCF website, his leadership philosophy maintains that “national transformation must be inclusive, just, and people-first.”

Indeed, this this philosophy manifests in his philanthropic work through Fatherland Foundation (USA) empowering disadvantaged Black youth through heritage education and entrepreneurship; HBO Foundation (Nigeria) that is supporting vulnerable communities through scholarships and disability services and  his notable 2024 donation of a ₦15 million luxury bus to the Focus on Disability Foundation, a motherless home based in Ijebu-Ode.

Oralusi’s insights are regularly featured in Nigeria’s leading publications. His commentary on local government autonomy and his praise for President Tinubu’s regional economic reforms has been covered by major national newspapers. His analysis of Nigeria’s decentralization and development strategies has been published in newspapers and his interviews on civic engagement have been broadcast on national television channels in Nigeria.

The Development Revolutionary

What sets Oralusi apart is his ability to “orchestrate landmark initiatives from affordable housing projects and renewable energy parks to venture capital accelerators and export-led industrial zones.” His approach combines venture discipline with infrastructure scale, pairing policy alignment with grassroots execution.

“For me, NCDF is personal. I have walked the path of diaspora dreams and grassroots determination. I’ve seen the hunger for opportunity, and I’ve felt the urgency for systems that serve the people,” says Oralusi as he prepares for help humanity redefine prosperity.

Legacy in Motion

At 53, Hareter Babatunde Oralusi represents a new generation of African leaders who understand that sustainable development requires both global sophistication and local authenticity. His work through NCDF Group, EmergX Finance Corporation, and various foundations demonstrates that impact investing isn’t just about returns—it’s about restoration, renewal, and renaissance.

“Hareter’s legacy is being written in bricks and balance sheets, but also in lives changed, futures built, and hope restored,” says the NCDF website.

In an era where Africa seeks to harness its diaspora wealth for continental transformation, Hareter Babatunde Oralusi stands as both catalyst and compass—pointing the way toward a future where capital serves communities, where investment drives inclusion, and where development truly means transformation for all.

Through his visionary leadership, Oralusi continues to prove that the most powerful investments are those that generate returns not just in profit, but in human dignity, opportunity, and hope.