Africa's capital conundrum: Overcoming barriers to unlock growth

Navigating Africa's intricate investment landscape was a key focus at the 2024 Africa Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco. As the continent strives to unlock its full growth potential, African business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers must grasp the art of effectively attracting and engaging investors in the boardroom. To delve deeper into this topic, CNBC Africa's Godfrey Mutizwa spoke to Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at the African Development Bank. The conference touched on urban development, regional corridors, and the financing of women-owned businesses. Quaynor emphasized the importance of understanding the opportunities, challenges, risks, and which parties are best positioned to address those challenges when it comes to capital movement to invest in the private sector in Africa. The event brought together a diverse range of investors from Japan, Italy, Turkey, and other regions, showcasing various projects in industries such as transport and logistics, energy, agriculture, healthcare, and even creative industries like film. With a strong focus on fostering fruitful discussions and partnerships, the forum provided a platform for investors to explore potential projects both in and outside the boardroom, highlighting trends and opportunities in different sectors. The forum witnessed the participation of prominent names in the investment landscape, including institutional investors like JP Morgan, commercial banks, export credit agencies, insurers, and strategic investors from around the world. Quaynor pointed out the expansion of the investor base and the interest shown by a wide range of stakeholders to engage and invest in transformative projects on the continent. The Vice President highlighted the platform's evolution since its inception in 2018, noting the focus on accelerating project bankability, raising financing efficiently, and expediting the financial closure process. The 2024 Africa Investment Forum served as a testament to the continent's potential for growth and development, bringing key players together to drive impactful investment in various sectors, ultimately advancing Africa's economic landscape.