THE Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, is set to host Africa’s premier investment marketplace from November 8 to 10, 2023, under the theme Unlocking Africa’s Value Chains. The Africa Investment Forum serves as a vital meeting point for both domestic and foreign investors, driving the flow of capital into Africa. This multi-stakeholder, multidisciplinary platform is dedicated to advancing projects to bankable stages, raising capital, and accelerating the financial closure of investment transactions.
Admassu Tadesse, President Emeritus and Group Managing Director of the Trade and Development Bank, describes the Market Days at the Africa Investment Forum as a results-driven gathering that prioritises action. The focus is on getting projects off the ground and moving forward. The forum has been instrumental in transforming the discourse around Africa’s investment needs into concrete actions.
Notably, the 2022 event in Abidjan was hailed for its success. Ken Shibusawa, CEO of Shibusawa and Co, shared his positive experience, emphasising the significance of networking and deal processing. His mission is to provide impact investment in Africa, and the forum provided a suitable platform to foster cooperation.
‘I found the scale and the depth of the participation much, much larger than I expected,’ said Shibusawa, who described his trip to the Africa Investment Forum as well worth the long journey and a good match in terms of interests. ‘Our mission is to provide impact investment in Africa…we are building on this cooperation,’ he added.
Looking ahead to the 2023 edition, Shibusawa expressed his hope for increased interaction with young entrepreneurs and strengthening connections with Africa, Japan, and other countries. He also announced the formation of &Capital Inc., a new company promoting Japanese investments in Africa earlier this year.
Jacqueline Furtado Carvalho, manager of Cabo Verdean company M&J Tech, who attended Market Days in 2022, echoed the sentiment that the forum offers excellent networking opportunities and fresh ideas for business expansion into Africa.
This year’s Africa Investment Forum will build on previous successes, with a particular focus on three key sectors: renewable energy, agribusiness, and manufacturing. Additionally, discussions will encompass emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and the creative and sports industries.
Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors NBA franchise, has consistently advocated for investment in sports on the African continent. He believes that supporting sports teams in Africa should be a shared vision, as the continent has immense potential in the sports market. The Sports as a Business Catalyst initiative within the Africa Investment Forum is working towards making this a reality.
One notable project from the 2022 Market Days that attracted strong investor interest was the Abidjan-Lagos Highway project, a 1081-km corridor linking major West African cities. The Africa Investment Forum continues to facilitate investments in projects of this magnitude.
The forum’s founding partners express solidarity with Morocco after a devastating earthquake in early September. These partners include the African Development Bank, Africa50, the Africa Finance Corporation, the Africa Export-Import Bank, the Development Bank for Southern Africa, The European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Trade and Development Bank.
The Africa Investment Forum has a remarkable track record, securing cumulative investment interest of $142.6bn from previous editions.
