The Summit will explore innovative financing and partnerships to drive Africa’s industrialisation and economic diversification, emphasising infrastructure’s role in enabling key sectors and supporting AfCFTA. Discussions will highlight PPPs, regional collaboration, and investment in transport, energy, and digital connectivity as catalysts for trade, competitiveness, and sustainable development. Trade-related infrastructure, such as efficient customs systems, integrated supply chains, digital trade platforms, and modern ports, is essential for seamless cross-border trade. Enhancing these systems reduces costs, eliminates bottlenecks, boosts corridor efficiency, strengthens value chains, and empowers informal small-scale traders.

Africa’s infrastructure financing is increasingly shaped by shifting global geopolitics, with major powers and emerging players offering competing investment initiatives like the EU’s Global Gateway, G7’s PGII, and China’s BRI. While these provide vital capital, African nations must balance external interests with sovereignty and long-term goals. Emphasis is growing on South-South cooperation, regional financial institutions, and resilient financing models to navigate economic volatility and geopolitical complexity.

The Foundation for Africa’s AI and InnovationEconomy: To compete in the global AI and digital economy, Africa must invest in digital infrastructure—broadband, fiber optics, 5G—and ensure data sovereignty through local data centres and cloud services. Strategic financing, including PPPs and venture capital, is essential to close the digital divide, foster AI innovation, and build a resilient, self-sufficient digital future