Africa50: Championing infrastructure investment in Africa

Africa50, the infrastructure investment platform, is making significant strides in driving infrastructure development across Africa. As the first close of the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund approaches, African and Global institutional investors have shown a strong commitment to supporting critical infrastructure projects on the continent. Alain Ebobisse, the CEO of Africa50, emphasized the importance of scaling up and mobilizing more funds to accelerate infrastructure development in Africa. In a recent interview, Alain Ebobisse highlighted the achievements of Africa50 over the past six years. The organization has successfully invested in 21 infrastructure projects across 22 countries, with a total project value exceeding $6.6 billion. These achievements demonstrate Africa50's ability to deliver infrastructure projects efficiently without compromising quality. Looking ahead, Africa50 aims to operate at a larger scale by mobilizing additional funds, particularly from regional pension funds in Africa and globally. To achieve this goal, Africa50 has launched the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, a $500 million fund that has garnered support from a variety of institutional investors. The fund will target quality infrastructure assets to drive sustainable development across the continent. One key aspect of Africa50's strategy is the involvement of African institutional investors in the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund. Ebobisse emphasized the importance of African stakeholders taking the lead in funding Africa's development. By mobilizing long-term savings from within Africa and working in partnership with global investors, Africa50 aims to empower African institutions to play a central role in driving infrastructure investment on the continent. During the recent signing of the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, over 12 African institutional investors expressed their support for the fund, signaling a growing partnership between local and global investors. This collaboration is crucial in attracting further investment and fostering sustainable infrastructure development in Africa. In addition to financial partnerships, Africa50 is also exploring innovative strategies to drive growth and development, such as asset recycling. The organization recently signed a project agreement for the Highway Lomé-Palimé in Togo, marking a milestone in their asset recycling initiatives. This approach showcases Africa50's commitment to finding new ways to finance and develop infrastructure projects in the region. As Africa50 continues to grow and expand its reach, the organization aims to increase the number of African countries participating as shareholders. With 31 African countries already on board as shareholders, Africa50 is actively engaging with other nations to expand its shareholder base. By attracting more African countries to invest in infrastructure projects, Africa50 seeks to create a positive impact while generating financial returns for its stakeholders. Ultimately, Africa50's strategic focus on mobilizing financial resources from both within Africa and globally underscores its commitment to driving Africa's development through sustainable infrastructure investment. By leveraging partnerships with institutional investors and actively engaging with African stakeholders, Africa50 is paving the way for transformative infrastructure projects that will benefit communities across the continent.