Global African Investment Summit kicks off in Rwanda

The Global African Investment Summit has kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda, with a focus on attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) into the African continent. According to the 2016 Foreign Direct Investment report, financing of African projects increased by 0.6% in 2015, showing a positive trend in investment flows into the region. Amanda Bassi, the program director of the summit, emphasized the importance of showcasing the achievements of African countries to attract more investors. The summit serves as a platform for business-minded individuals from both the private and public sectors to come together and explore opportunities for investment in key sectors such as power, agribusiness, ICT, energy, infrastructure, and oil. While there are challenges in implementation and coordination of investment forums, the Global African Investment Summit stands out for its focus on transactions and deal-making, facilitating tangible outcomes for investors. The summit also addresses the interplay between domestic entrepreneurs, micro-investors, and FDI, highlighting the need to support a diverse range of projects from mega-infrastructure developments to small-scale innovative solutions. Moreover, the summit emphasizes the feasibility of 'African for Africa' investments, aiming to create a common market and accelerate intra-African trade.