Africa continues to grapple with a significant infrastructure financing gap, estimated at up to $108 billion annually, despite needing between $130 billion and $170 billion each year to sustain its development ambitions. While the majority of funding—nearly 89 percent—comes from foreign sources, investment remains largely concentrated in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt. This imbalance raises critical questions about how the continent can mobilize more private capital and broaden investment opportunities beyond its dominant economies.
At the upcoming International Finance Forum (IFF 2025), financial leaders and policymakers will meet in Kigali, a city that has become a central hub for high-level economic discussions and policy innovation in Africa. The Rwandan government has consistently positioned itself as a leader in financial inclusion, development finance, and investment facilitation, making it a fitting host for such a critical conversation.
The forum will provide a platform for key discussions on unlocking domestic private capital, attracting foreign investment to underfunded markets, and strengthening the role of development finance institutions in closing the continent’s financial shortfall. Experts will also explore how public-private partnerships can drive innovation and financial inclusion, ensuring that growth is both sustainable and widely distributed.
Rwanda’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for global summits is reinforced by its strong governance, ease of doing business, and commitment to fostering an environment conducive to investment and economic growth. By bringing together financial leaders, policymakers, and investors, the country is helping to shape the future of African finance, encouraging practical solutions to long-standing challenges.
Among the key speakers at the forum are Jean Bosco Iyacu, CEO of Access to Finance Rwanda, Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, Sahr Kpundeh, Country Manager for the World Bank, and Thapelo Tsheole, CEO of the Capital Markets Authority. Their insights will be crucial in shaping discussions on how Africa can reduce its reliance on foreign funding while ensuring that investment reaches the regions and sectors that need it most.
The session is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 2:05 PM to 2:45 PM. As Rwanda continues to position itself as a continental leader in economic transformation, IFF 2025 will serve as a strategic platform for experts and decision-makers to forge solutions that can drive Africa’s financial resilience and sustainable growth.
