Shadowing the footsteps of the African King of Infrastructure Mr Bayo Ogunlesi a treatise on building a powerful structure

In “The Prince,” Machiavelli wrote, “A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme.” This sentiment forms the bedrock of my journey as I walk in the formidable footsteps of Mr. Bayo Ogunlesi, the African King of Infrastructure. As the founder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi's remarkable ascent and mastery over one of the world’s most strategic and capital-intensive sectors stand as a beacon for those striving to make their mark in the global economy.

In this treatise, I not only pay tribute to Ogunlesi’s unparalleled influence but also explore how his journey offers a blueprint for my own ambitions in infrastructure. Following his path, I seek to learn from his strategies while innovating and crafting my own unique legacy.

Machiavelli: Following the Path of Great Men

Machiavelli's insight into the need to imitate greatness resonates deeply when examining Ogunlesi's rise in the infrastructure space. His journey began as a student at Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School, where he built a solid foundation in both the legal and financial aspects of business. His time at Credit Suisse and his strategic acquisition of London’s Gatwick Airport through GIP in 2009 are modern feats of empire-building. Ogunlesi understood the importance of positioning oneself within high-stakes environments and capitalizing on pivotal moments. His strategic acquisitions of critical assets, such as airports and power plants, serve as lessons on how to seize opportunities in infrastructure—a sector often regarded as a foundation of economic power.

Machiavelli would have admired Ogunlesi’s ability to act decisively and maintain control over key assets in the face of global competition. I too seek to follow this principle: the notion that infrastructure is not just about building physical assets, but also about crafting an enduring empire that influences global economic dynamics.

Sun Tzu: Strategy and Infrastructure as Warfare

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War offers timeless advice on strategy: “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

Infrastructure, much like warfare, demands strategic precision, resource management, and the ability to outmaneuver competitors. Ogunlesi’s ability to remain under the radar, making massive acquisitions such as Gatwick Airport and other strategic assets, epitomizes this approach. His decisions were not just financial transactions; they were strategic maneuvers on a global chessboard.

In shadowing Ogunlesi’s steps, I too intend to apply this principle of strategic deception. My vision is to quietly build capacity, identifying and acquiring high-impact, undervalued assets in emerging markets before they reach mainstream attention. The key lesson here is that infrastructure is not about being visible—it’s about striking when the time is right, turning under-the-radar opportunities into empire-building moves.

Shakespeare: Crafting a Lasting Legacy

Shakespeare, in Julius Caesar, reminds us of the impact of legacy: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” In Ogunlesi's case, the good that he does through GIP continues to grow, demonstrating the timelessness of his achievements. His legacy will not be measured solely by profits, but by the tangible impacts on global mobility, energy production, and economic development. Gatwick’s modernization and the creation of sustainable infrastructure projects worldwide are testaments to the long-lasting influence of his leadership.

For me, the lesson is clear: infrastructure is about legacy-building. It is about ensuring that what we create today has the capacity to outlast us, benefiting not just shareholders but entire generations. My goal is to build on this ethos—transforming communities, economies, and environments in a way that creates value long after I am gone.

Global Infrastructure Partners: The Blueprint for Success

Bayo Ogunlesi’s Global Infrastructure Partners has become one of the world’s largest infrastructure funds, managing over $75 billion in assets. His key strategy was to focus on long-term value creation in sectors that are vital to global economic activity, such as energy, transport, and water. Ogunlesi recognized that controlling the infrastructure assets that facilitate global commerce meant controlling not just physical structures, but also the flow of capital, goods, and services across borders.

Imitating this approach, my focus is on acquiring strategic infrastructure in emerging markets—particularly in Africa and Latin America—where the growth potential is vast, and where investments can have profound economic impacts. Ogunlesi’s global outlook and his keen eye for distressed assets serve as a guide as I build a similar portfolio, but with a focus on blending infrastructure investment with technological innovation and sustainability.

Innovating Beyond Imitation: My Own Fabric

While I deeply admire and imitate Ogunlesi’s strategies, my ambition extends beyond merely following his path. To innovate is to distinguish oneself, and my approach will blend Ogunlesi's proven strategies with modern technological advancements. By integrating data analytics, artificial intelligence, and sustainability frameworks into infrastructure investment

, I aim to create a new frontier in the sector—one that not only builds physical assets but also leverages technology to optimize and future-proof infrastructure projects.

Innovation through Technology and Sustainability

Where Ogunlesi focused on acquiring airports and energy assets, my focus will include the development of smart cities, renewable energy grids, and AI-enabled infrastructure management systems. The future of infrastructure lies in sustainability and adaptability. I plan to push boundaries by integrating IoT (Internet of Things) technologies into public utilities and transport systems, ensuring that our assets are resilient in the face of climate change and technological disruption.

By embracing digital transformation, I aim to enhance operational efficiency in infrastructure projects, reducing waste, and improving profitability while contributing to environmental goals. This shift towards a tech-forward, sustainable model of infrastructure investment will help differentiate my firm from others, crafting a unique legacy that blends Ogunlesi's foundation with my vision for the future.

Conclusion: A Tribute to Bayo Ogunlesi

In following the footsteps of Mr. Bayo Ogunlesi, I am not only paying homage to a pioneer of global infrastructure but also positioning myself to build a transformative empire. By studying his moves—stealthy yet decisive, impactful yet sustainable—I have gained a deep understanding of the global infrastructure space. But more importantly, I have learned how to innovate and chart my own path.

Machiavelli taught us to follow great men, Sun Tzu warned us to strategize, and Shakespeare reminded us of the importance of legacy. As I continue to craft my journey, Ogunlesi’s influence will remain a guiding force, but my legacy will be my own—one that redefines the future of infrastructure on a global scale.