Annual Meetings 2026: Experts Urge Stronger Financial Systems to Mobilise $400 Billion in Capital for Africa

Experts convened at a high-level panel hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) on May 27, 2026, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, emphasizing the necessity for robust and integrated financial systems to mobilize development finance across Africa. This session was part of the AfDB’s 2026 Annual Meetings, aimed at addressing the continent’s pressing financial challenges in a fragmented global landscape.

Context and Objectives of the Panel

Moderated by Hassatou N’Sele, Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the AfDB, the panel featured prominent figures from various financial institutions, regulatory authorities, and development finance experts. The discussions were framed under the theme, “Strengthening and Consolidating Africa’s Financial Systems and Agency in the Changing World,” focusing on strategies to unlock domestic and development finance for the continent.

N’Sele invited Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, to share insights from Asia’s financial evolution. Hayashi highlighted Japan’s long-term commitment to African development, referencing the post-World War II recovery and the lessons learned from Asia’s financial crisis in the 1990s. He underscored the critical role of regional financial integration and the establishment of strong domestic markets and local-currency bond markets, supported by credit guarantee mechanisms.

Key Insights from Panelists

The panelists engaged in a comprehensive discussion on how development partners can contribute to building integrated domestic financial systems. They explored the potential of insurance and guarantee instruments to unlock long-term capital and the importance of legal and regulatory reforms in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture.

The African Development Bank’s New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD) was identified as a timely initiative to address the continent’s annual development financing gap, estimated at $400 billion.

Stabilising the Macroeconomic Framework

Dieudonné Fikiri Alimasi, First Deputy-Governor of the Central Bank of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, emphasized that restoring trust in local currencies hinges on achieving macroeconomic stability, which includes maintaining stable exchange rates. He also advocated for the rapid adoption of technology to enhance banking penetration and promote financial inclusion across the continent.

The Role of Central Banks

Michel Dzombala, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), pointed out that central banks in the CEMAC region could play a pivotal role in mobilizing finance for regional financial institutions. This catalytic function is crucial for fostering financial stability and growth.

Changing Risk Perception

Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye, Managing Director and CEO of the African Guarantee and Economic Cooperation Fund (FAGACE), stressed the need for African institutions to collaborate more closely to reshape investor perceptions of risk. He noted that existing African guarantee funds currently cover only a small fraction of the continent’s financing needs.

The New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD)

Manuel Moses, CEO of African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), stated that Africa possesses significant resources that can be mobilized more effectively. He described NAFAD as a framework designed to streamline these efforts from within the continent.

Removing Barriers to Investment

Kalidou Gadio, Co-Chair of US-Africa Practice at DLA Piper, called for reforms to eliminate legal and regulatory constraints that hinder capital utilization, including the deployment of sovereign wealth funds. He argued that deeper and more unified markets are essential for scaling investment in Africa.

Emphasizing Partnerships

Cedrick Motetcho, Chief of Business Development at the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), highlighted the importance of treating partnerships as practical mechanisms for collaboration rather than mere aspirations. This approach would enable institutions to act more swiftly and effectively deploy available financing tools.

Policy Reform for Resource Mobilisation

Carlos Lopes, Honorary Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, emphasized that macroeconomic and financial policies must be more supportive of structural transformation. He advocated for better utilization of long-term domestic capital, including pension funds.

Conclusion of the Panel

In closing, N’Sele prompted the panelists to identify critical actions needed before the next Annual Meetings. They collectively acknowledged that Africa’s challenge lies not in a lack of resources but in the urgent need to mobilize them more effectively. Alimasi asserted that Africa possesses the necessary assets to transform its economies.

For further details on the discussions and to catch up on any missed segments, visit Zawya.

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Published on 2026-05-30 14:53:00 • By the Editorial Desk