The Africa Investment Forum (AIF) 2025 Market Days opened in Rabat with a strong call for African-led solutions and greater mobilisation of private capital to bridge the continent’s infrastructure and development financing gap.

AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah urged governments and financial institutions to attract more private investment through innovative financing tools and stronger coordination across national, regional, and continental institutions.

Ould Tah outlined the AfDB’s priorities, including boosting equity mobilisation, strengthening financial inclusion, promoting youth and women’s skills in STEM and digital fields, and accelerating investment in energy, logistics, digital infrastructure, and industrialisation.

He stressed that Africa’s rapidly growing population must become an economic asset through structural transformation and large-scale investment.

Morocco’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to expanding private investment and public–private partnerships, noting Africa needs about $1.3 trillion annually to meet its development goals.

The Forum brings together governments, DFIs, investors, and project sponsors to advance transformative projects across energy, transport, logistics, agribusiness, and digital sectors.

Since its launch in 2018, the AIF has become a leading platform for advancing bankable projects and has attracted nearly USD 183 billion in investment interest.

AIF’s Deal Rooms continue to mobilise billions for infrastructure by fast-tracking projects, improving structuring and de-risking, and drawing interest from global investors including pension and sovereign wealth funds.

The Forum has supported cross-border infrastructure, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and stronger public–private partnerships.

Running until 28 November, this year’s edition will showcase 41 projects and highlight opportunities driven by regional integration and private-sector participation. Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide noted that “scale, connectivity, and market access are central to attracting private investment.”

The AIF remains committed to advancing Africa’s bankable projects, mobilising capital, and accelerating financial closure for sustainable development across the continent.