The 2025 Africa Investment Forum Market Days in Rabat closed with about US$15.3 billion in investment commitments across 39 bankable projects, signaling strong global appetite for African opportunities.

An annual scorecard was introduced to track project implementation and the conversion of interest into deployment, underscoring a focus on execution.

Participants expressed optimism that commitments will translate into tangible projects, framing the forum as a movement of execution and trust rather than just an event.

Deals focused on energy transition, fintech, and productive sovereignty, with emphasis on sustainability and inclusive growth, as AfDB outlined priorities to improve capital access, reform financial architecture, grow education and SME support, and build resilient infrastructure and value from natural resources.

The forum drew participation from 32 global private-sector organizations, more than doubling private-sector backing from the previous year, with over 2,000 delegates including private capital providers, banks, multilaterals, entrepreneurs, and government officials.

AfDB President emphasized that the gathering should act as a catalyst for Africa’s economic trajectory, moving from commitments to concrete projects.

A ministerial dialogue highlighted accelerating private investment through a conducive enabling environment, complemented by high-level sessions on attracting investment to Africa.

The next edition will review progress on projects financed during the year to ensure continued prosperity, resilience, and sovereignty for Africa.

The forum showcased 39 bankable projects across energy, transport, agribusiness, industrial transformation, and digital innovation, with two-thirds of sessions focused on energy and transport.

Morocco’s Economy and Finance Minister Nadia Fettah stressed Africa’s ambition and the need to mobilise more African capital with partners who respect priorities and support solutions, calling the forum an engine room for development.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Africa Investment Forum remains a multi-stakeholder platform that connects investors with project developers to advance bankability and accelerate financial closures, with founding partners including AfDB Group and several major African development and financial institutions.

Nearly 80 countries were represented, with Japan as a major sponsor, alongside institutions like the African Guarantee Fund, European Investment Bank, and others.

AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah described the event as a new optimistic beginning for Africa’s future and its growing prominence as an investment marketplace.

The event, organized by the AfDB and partners under royal patronage, gathered over 2,000 delegates including ministers, institutional investors, banks, insurers, and development partners.

The 2025 edition attracted 32 global private-sector sponsors, about double the previous year, signaling rising investor confidence.

Investors were drawn to projects backed by social and environmental impact studies and robust financial models, with roughly two-thirds of transactions in energy and transport.

New measures were announced to monitor progress, including an annual dashboard to track how commitments translate into actual projects and investments.