Africa Investment Forum: “Investor feedback has been positive” – VP of AfDB, Swazi Tshabalala – CNBC Africa

A surge in attendance and deal interest has marked the latest Africa Investment Forum, signaling growing momentum behind projects that can reshape the continent’s infrastructure and clean energy systems. The African Development Bank’s Vice President for Finance, Swazi Tshabalala, noted that investor sentiment has been especially encouraging, with funders actively engaging project sponsors and policymakers to move transactions toward bankability.

At the heart of discussions is a practical question: how to convert Africa’s vast potential into investable pipelines that close long-standing infrastructure gaps while accelerating a just, climate-resilient transition. Stakeholders zeroed in on sectors capable of multiplying economic and social returns—renewable power, transmission and distribution, rail and road corridors, and port modernization—each essential for connecting markets and lowering the cost of doing business.

Energy first: building resilient, low-carbon systems

Investors are increasingly focused on utility-scale solar and wind, grid upgrades, and storage to stabilize supply, alongside decentralized solutions that can reach underserved communities faster. The energy conversation is shifting from isolated generation assets to systems thinking: integrating renewables with transmission expansion, flexible capacity, and digital grid management. Such investments not only reduce emissions and import bills but also enable manufacturing, agro-processing, and new service industries to thrive.

Tshabalala underscored that interest goes beyond megaprojects. Smaller, replicable platforms—from mini-grids to industrial rooftop solar—are drawing attention for their scalability and risk diversification. These initiatives dovetail with the continent’s demographic growth and urbanization, where demand for reliable, affordable power is surging.

Trade corridors and the AfCFTA advantage

Momentum behind the African Continental Free Trade Area is reshaping the investment calculus. Efficient logistics—modern ports, strategic rail links, climate-resilient roads, and streamlined border systems—are indispensable to unlock intra-African commerce. By trimming transit times and harmonizing standards, corridor investments can catalyze regional value chains, from battery minerals to agricultural exports, and reduce the carbon footprint of freight through mode shifts to rail and improved port efficiency.

De-risking and policy reform: turning interest into deals

Perceived risk remains a hurdle, but the toolbox to address it is expanding. The African Development Bank is working with governments to strengthen regulatory predictability, enhance utility creditworthiness, and improve project preparation. Financial instruments—such as partial risk guarantees and political risk guarantees—are being paired with policy dialogue and capacity building to crowd in private capital at scale. This blend of risk mitigation and reform is critical to move projects from concept to financial close.

Despite progress, the financing gap for infrastructure is still substantial—commonly estimated at $70–$100 billion each year. The forum’s purpose is to narrow that divide by aligning public, private, and blended finance, while prioritizing projects with strong development impact and credible revenue pathways. Clear off-take frameworks, transparent procurement, and robust environmental and social standards are increasingly non-negotiable for investors.

Innovation and digital readiness

Technology is emerging as both an enabler and an investment theme in its own right. Digital platforms for payments and metering are improving collection rates in the power sector, while advanced analytics and satellite data are enhancing project design and climate risk assessment. Some countries are already charting a forward-leaning course—Rwanda, for instance, is frequently cited for its rapid uptake of digital solutions and innovation-friendly policies that help new technologies find viable business models.

From interest to impact

The forum’s dialogues reflect a pragmatic shift: prioritize bankable, climate-aligned infrastructure that speeds industrialization, improves livelihoods, and strengthens resilience. Key priorities highlighted by participants include:

• Scaling renewable generation and storage alongside grid expansion and cross-border interconnections.
• Developing green transport corridors, with a greater role for rail and efficient ports to cut costs and emissions.
• Unlocking private capital through guarantees, blended structures, and predictable regulatory frameworks.
• Investing in project preparation, skills, and institutions to sustain pipelines over decades, not just deal cycles.

According to Tshabalala, the prevailing mood is one of constructive urgency. Investors are ready to engage where the fundamentals are sound, the policy path is clear, and risk-sharing is thoughtfully designed. With coordinated effort, Africa’s infrastructure buildout can double as a climate strategy—expanding clean power, greening logistics, and hardwiring resilience into the next generation of assets. The message from the forum: the opportunity is real, and the partnerships to seize it are taking shape.