A strategic meeting point for African finance, the Africa Investment Forum has, since its creation in 2018, established itself as a key platform for mobilizing capital for the continent’s development. Initiated by the African Development Bank, the Forum goes beyond the simple presentation of projects: it connects investors with project sponsors, accelerates their path to bankability, and turns African ambitions into concrete investments, making the AIF a true engine of solutions driven by Africa itself.
Since its creation in 2018 by the African Development Bank, the Africa Investment Forum has established itself as a strategic platform for mobilizing private and institutional capital in support of the continent’s development. More than a space for showcasing projects, the Forum is now an accelerator of concrete transactions, driven by an African vision of investment. For the African Development Bank, the challenge is clear: to transform Africa’s demographic dynamic into a genuine engine of economic growth.”
“Our continent is experiencing remarkable demographic growth, which will make Africa home to one quarter of the world’s population by 2050. It is estimated that by 2050, Africa’s workforce will be larger than that of China and India combined. We must transform this demographic dynamic into an economic force. This requires large-scale investment in resilient infrastructure and the creation of the necessary conditions to process our raw materials on African soil.”
Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank – Mauritania
During its first edition in 2018, the Africa Investment Forum laid the foundations of its ambition: to connect investors with project sponsors, support projects through to bankability, and remove structural barriers to financing in Africa. Over the years, the Forum has grown in scale, notably through the Market Days, which have become the operational core of exchanges. For entrepreneurs and support structures, the Forum represents a unique opportunity to access financial partners.
“The forum is extremely important for entrepreneurs, investors, and partners who can channel funds into impact-driven projects. This forum is of vital importance. All support structures, such as ours at Sahel Development, can come here to find partners and also meet potential funders.”
Cheikh Thiam, President, Sahel Development Group – Senegal
“The Marketplace is an opportunity for companies to meet investors. This year is truly exceptional: we are seeing major investors, large international banks, and sometimes leading investment funds. For us, it is an opportunity to present our projects and engage with stakeholders who are interested in them.”
Edouard Oulai, Chief Financial Officer, Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage – Côte d’Ivoire
The 2025 edition, held in Rabat, Morocco, marked a new milestone. The Market Days generated 15.263 billion US dollars in investment interest for 39 bankable projects, mainly in the energy and transport sectors. These projects are supported by robust financial models and solid social and environmental impact studies. A result that the African Development Bank intends to monitor closely.
“I am pleased to announce that this year, our Africa Investment Forum platform recorded investment interest amounting to 15.263 billion US dollars for the 2025 Market Days. As I mentioned earlier, this amount will be closely monitored in the coming weeks and months, as well as during future editions, to ensure that these commitments are effectively translated into investments and that the projects concerned are implemented.”
Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank – Mauritania
Another key highlight of this edition was the emphasis placed on women entrepreneurs’ access to finance. Several sessions were dedicated to mobilizing capital for women-led businesses, recognized as key drivers of inclusive growth. The Marketplace remains the central space where these transactions take shape.
« Le Marketplace est l’endroit où les transactions se concluent. Nous essayons d’attirer autant de capitaux internationaux et mondiaux que possible vers l’Afrique. Et le Marketplace a été conçu comme un espace où l’on peut accéder à ces fournisseurs de capital, ainsi qu’aux spécialistes qui conseillent sur ces transactions. Nous avons rencontré des investisseurs venus du monde entier Japonais, Chinois, Moyen-Orientaux, Américains et bien sûr Européens tous cherchant à réaliser des opérations sur le continent, principalement dans le secteur des infrastructures. Et nous sommes très satisfaits de la participation. »Monica Shupikai Simmons, Responsable du capital et financement chez RMB – Zimbabwe
The Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, recalled that the Africa Investment Forum reflects ‘an Africa that is no longer defined by its constraints but by its solutions,’ and emphasized the importance of mobilizing African and international capital while respecting local priorities
“This forum was not a conference, nor was it just an event. It was a real engine room. Days during which Africa shifted into execution mode, without detours, without excuses, without hesitation; an Africa that is moving from potential to power. No one comes here anymore to discover Africa, no one comes to assess its potential — the world knows, and Africa knows it too. What the Africa Investment Forum has proven is that we now have the right method: better-prepared projects, more structured project sponsors, and stronger institutions. A vision that does not waver.”
Nadia Fettah, Minister of Economy and Finance – Morocco
The 2025 edition brought together participants from nearly 80 countries, with the support of 32 international financial organizations, twice as many as in 2024. Sponsors included the African Guarantee Fund, Algest Investment Fund, the European Investment Bank, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector. For the organizers, this strong mobilization confirms the Forum’s growing momentum.
“From the African Development Bank’s perspective, it has been a success, and I would even say an even greater success than last year. One of the highlights is also the number of sponsors we have registered. We had 32. Most of the major international banks are present as sponsors, and for me, this is a real testament to the success of the Africa Investment Forum. Morocco’s support is, of course, extremely important. »
Max Magor Ndiaye, Directeur principal des syndications, du Forum africain de l’investissement et des solutions clients – Senegal
Since 2018, the Africa Investment Forum has evolved into a strategic tool for turning investments into reality across Africa. With 15.263 billion US dollars in investment interest mobilized in 2025 and 39 bankable projects, the Forum demonstrates that the continent no longer merely articulates its potential: it structures, executes, and attracts capital, while placing women’s entrepreneurship at the heart of its economic transformation trajectory
