Blackstone and Black Rhino Announce Appointment of Lamido Sanusi, Emir of Kano and Former Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank, as Chairman of the Board of Directors

Lagos, Nigeria, Funds managed by Blackstone (NYSE:BX) and Black Rhino today announced that His Highness Emir Muhammad Sanusi II will join Black Rhino’s Board of Directors as Chairman. Black Rhino was formed in January 2012 to develop and to invest in transformational infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa’s power generation and fuel transportation sectors.

“One can scarcely imagine a stronger addition to the Black Rhino Board. The Emir has unparalleled insights into Africa’s regional and local socio-economic development needs and the role that power and infrastructure development can play,” said Brian Herlihy, Black Rhino’s Founder and CEO.  “We know as Chairman of Black Rhino, the Emir will provide business as well as moral guidance in all our endeavors across Africa.  It is an honor and a privilege to announce His Highness, the Emir of Kano as the Chairman of Black Rhino.”

“We are pleased that Emir Sanusi has agreed to lend Black Rhino his considerable expertise and wisdom as Chairman,” said Sean Klimczak, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone who oversees the firm’s global private equity investments in power generation and natural resources.  “We look forward to working closely together as we develop energy solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.”

“Emir Sanusi has a comprehensive mastery of the interdependence of Africa with the global economy,” said Mimi Alemayehou, Chair of Blackstone African Infrastructure LP and Managing Director at Black Rhino.  “He has the courage and integrity necessary to give us the full, candid and impartial counsel that a long-term investor in Africa needs.  We are gratified and, indeed, privileged to have a partner of such immense stature alongside us as we chart our course.”

“I am honored to join the Board of Black Rhino, a company that is looking to develop infrastructure projects in places where there is the most need to transform communities,” said His Highness Emir Muhammad Sanusi II.  “We live in a time of intense competition for capital and I do hope that by joining the Board I can play some part in bringing some of that capital nearer to home.” 

Mr. Sanusi was named Emir of Kano in June 2014, the second-highest Muslim authority in Nigeria.  Prior to his appointment, Mr. Sanusi had a distinguished 25-year career in banking.  Sanusi began his career in 1985 at ICON Merchant Bankers, a subsidiary of Morgan Guaranty Trust and Baring Brothers, and later ran the credit and risk management division at the United Bank for Africa.  In 2005, Sanusi moved to First Bank, where he was named managing director in 2009.

In June 2009, in the midst of the global financial crisis, Sanusi was appointed Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank.  Mr. Sanusi has been named “Central Bank Governor of the Year” and “Central Bank Governor of the Year for Africa” by The Banker Magazine, and one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.”

About Black Rhino

Black Rhino was founded to address the critical need for infrastructure and energy development across the African continent.  Black Rhino seeks to capitalize on the major opportunity to invest in projects in the energy security sector, including power generation, transmission, fuel storage and pipelines.  Black Rhino has developed a comprehensive understanding of the African continent, including the necessity to establish strong partnerships with leading African entities that complement its expertise.

Black Rhino’s management team has collectively been involved in the development of over US$35 billion of infrastructure, communication and power generation projects across the globe and has over one hundred thirty-five years of combined African experience.  The team has been responsible for numerous projects from the concept stage through the full financing, construction, operation and ultimately the exit stage and prides itself on setting standards for developing transformational projects that aim for the greatest level of local population participation and adherence to strict environmental and safety standards.

Further information is available at www.blackrhinogroup.com. Contact Black Rhino at [email protected].

About Blackstone

Blackstone Energy Partners is Blackstone’s energy-focused private equity business, with a successful record built on Blackstone’s industry expertise and partnerships with exceptional management teams. Blackstone has invested approximately $8 billion of equity globally across a broad range of sectors within the energy industry.

Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $300 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial and strategic advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

Media Contacts:
For Blackstone/Black Rhino:
Christine Anderson
+1 212-583-5650
[email protected]