Africa’s finance and policy leaders opened the Africa Investment Conference 2025 in Nairobi with a strong call for the continent to accelerate cross border investment frameworks, deepen capital market cooperation, and mobilise Africa led sources of capital to drive long term economic growth.
The annual forum, convened by CFA Society East Africa and held under the theme “Africa Investing in Africa, Solutions to Challenges”, gathered influential investors, regulators, institutional leaders, and private sector executives at a moment when rising capital requirements and shifting global economic dynamics are prompting renewed scrutiny of the continent’s investment architecture.
Opening the conference, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Investment Promotion, urged African governments to pursue more coordinated investment integration and stronger financial systems capable of supporting the continent’s demographic and technological transformation.
“Africa is at a turning point and for us to compete globally, we must unlock capital within our borders, accelerate the growth of both our private and public capital markets, and build deeper financial market linkages. AfIC 2025 provides the collaborative platform to move from ideas to coordinated action,” he said.
He noted that the continent’s growing cities, expanding infrastructure requirements, and accelerating digital uptake demand a shift away from reliance on external financing. Instead, Mr Abubakar called for streamlined investment regulations, predictable market conditions, and closer collaboration to mobilise domestic capital.
He added that Kenya intends to reinforce its role as an investment gateway for East Africa and the wider continent through improved business regulation, stronger investor protections, and enhanced support for enterprise growth and innovation.
Francis Nasyomba, President of CFA Society East Africa, said the conference is designed to anchor world class professional standards, strengthen market integrity, and promote data driven policy dialogue.
“AfIC is designed to not only spark the conversations Africa urgently needs to have but to push for action. By bringing together policymakers, capital providers, and market practitioners, we are creating a foundation for stronger financial markets and better aligned investment flows that drive shared prosperity,” he said.
Mr Nasyomba highlighted three priorities shaping this year’s agenda, the dismantling of barriers that restrict intra African capital movement, the development of infrastructure and innovation models tailored to African contexts, and the strengthening of alliances among financial markets to improve liquidity and increase investor confidence.
Over the next two days, delegates will take part in expert panels, policy exchanges, and case studies covering infrastructure finance, sustainable investment, capital markets development, technology ecosystems, and regional trade.
Organisers note that Africa’s evolving digital landscape, rising youth population, and increasing demand for modern infrastructure create an opportunity for the continent to define new investment frontiers, provided its financial markets evolve to support long term capital formation.
The conference will also bring together government agencies, private sector leaders, development institutions, and technology experts to address digital inclusion and explore partnerships that support the continent’s digital transition.
As economies across Africa adapt to rapid technological change, participants say AfIC 2025 is expected to act as a catalyst for new ideas and collaboration. Outcomes from the discussions are anticipated to inform policy shifts and partnerships aimed at advancing a more resilient and digitally empowered investment future for the continent.
