The 2025 edition of the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days concluded on Friday, 28th November, with $15.3 billion in investment interest spanning 39 bankable projects, reinforcing Africa’s position as one of the world’s most promising destinations for private capital.

The results were announced by African Development Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah, who said the strong interest signalled “a new beginning, full of optimism, for the future of our continent.”

This year’s Forum, themed “Bridging the Gap: Mobilising Private Capital to Unlock Africa’s Full Potential,” drew participation from 32 global private-sector organisations, doubling the number recorded in 2024. The growth highlights the Forum’s rising reputation as Africa’s leading investment marketplace.

More than 2,000 delegates attended the three-day event, including private investors, international banks, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs and government officials. Discussions focused on project structuring, capital mobilisation, and expanding women’s access to finance.

Organisers said investors responded positively to the 39 projects presented in the Forum’s closed-door boardrooms, noting that each proposal was backed by detailed social and environmental impact assessments and sound financial modelling. Approximately two-thirds of the transactions were concentrated in the energy and transport sectors—areas considered essential for sustaining Africa’s long-term growth.

In a move to ensure greater accountability and transparency, Ould Tah announced that the AIF will roll out an annual project-tracking dashboard to monitor how investment interest converts into actual deals. The initiative is intended to strengthen follow-through and accelerate implementation across the continent.

Speaking at the closing session, Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, praised the Forum for showcasing a confident and solutions-driven Africa. “The AIF reflects an Africa that embraces its ambition… that no longer defines itself by its constraints but by its solutions,” she said. She added that African nations must mobilise more domestic capital while partnering with institutions that respect and support the continent’s priorities.

The 2025 event welcomed participants from nearly 80 countries, including a large delegation from Japan, which sent almost 100 representatives. Major sponsors included the African Guarantee Fund, Algest Investment Fund, Ashurst LLP, the European Investment Bank, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector.

High-level sessions throughout the Forum examined how to accelerate private investment by improving the business environment and positioning Africa as a competitive global investment destination.