Rabat, Morocco, Dec. 1, GNA – The 2025 edition of the African Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days has closed in Rabat with a record-breaking commitment of US$15.263 billion in investment deals aimed at accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.
The three-day forum, convened by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and its founding partners, brought together over 2,000 delegates, including ministers, institutional investors, commercial banks, insurers, and development partners.
The event was held under the esteemed royal patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, whose support was acknowledged as instrumental in the success of the forum.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, AfDB President Dr. Ould Tah described the gathering as “a catalyst for Africa’s economic trajectory,” noting that discussions had moved beyond rhetoric to concrete action.
“We have advanced from exploring possibilities to securing definitive commitments,” he said.
Under the theme, “Bridging the Gap: Mobilising Private Capital to Unlock Africa’s Full Potential,” the AIF attracted a total of 39 bankable projects in boardrooms presentations during the forum, covering sectors such as energy, transport, agribusiness, industrial transformation, and digital innovation.
Two-thirds of the boardroom sessions focused on energy and transport—areas where Morocco and AfDB have demonstrated strong expertise.
The forum also introduced an annual scorecard to track project implementation and conversion rates from investment interest to actual deployment.
“What matters is not just announcing figures but ensuring these commitments translate into projects on the ground,” Dr. Tah emphasized.
Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, hailed the forum as “an engine room” for Africa’s development, stressing that the continent is no longer defined by potential but by action.
“Africa is ready. The question now is: what are you ready to do with us?” he said, underscoring a new narrative of equal and credible partnerships.
The 2025 AIF Market Days attracted 32 global private sector sponsors, double the number from last year, signaling growing investor confidence in Africa’s markets.
The deals announced span strategic sectors, including energy transition, fintech, and productive sovereignty, with strong emphasis on sustainability and inclusive growth.
The forum reaffirmed AfDB’s four cardinal priorities: improving access to capital across the continent, reforming Africa’s financial architecture for a stronger global voice, harnessing demographic dividends through education, skills, and SME support and building resilient infrastructure and adding value to natural resources.
As the curtain fell on the Rabat gathering, participants expressed optimism that the commitments secured will drive tangible transformation. “AIF is not just an event; it is a movement of execution and trust,” said one minister, adding that investors are “in the right place at the right time.”
The next edition of the African Investment Forum will review progress on projects financed this year, ensuring Africa continues its march toward a prosperous, resilient, and sovereign future.
The event drew participants from nearly 80 countries including Japan which sent almost 100 delegates and served as a major sponsor alongside the African Guarantee Fund, Algest Investment Fund, Ashurst LLP, the European Investment Bank and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector.
Created in 2018, the Africa Investment Forum is a multi-stakeholder and multidisciplinary platform that connects investors and project developers. It provides a framework for supporting projects until they reach bankability and accelerates the financial closure of transactions.
The forum’s founding partners include the African Development Bank Group, Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, Africa50, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Trade and Development Bank, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
GNA
Christian Akorlie