Key stakeholders in Africa’s infrastructure development will gather in Cape Town from March 2-3 to discuss how improving project readiness can unlock billions of dollars in stalled investment on the continent.
The Infrastructure Africa Business Forum brings together government leaders, project developers, investors, development finance institutions (DFIs) and private sector stakeholders for intensive discussions on turning project concepts into profitable opportunities. The central theme explores how early-stage project construction fosters both economic viability and measurable impact across the African Corridor.
Although nearly 100 million Africans have gained access to electricity in the past decade, more than 600 million still lack reliable electricity. This gap highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure planning across transport, energy, logistics, water and digital sectors. From 2012 to 2023, energy accounted for 41% of private capital deal volume and 57% of deal value in Africa, demonstrating where investors’ attention is currently focused.
Forum organizers stressed that robust feasibility studies, risk mitigation strategies, regulatory coordination and structured development processes remain essential to closing Africa’s project finance gap. The program examines best practices in project structuring, blended financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and how DFIs can reduce investment risk in corridor-based projects.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) creates a single market of 1.3 billion people across the world’s second largest continent. Discussions will focus on infrastructure planning in line with AfCFTA goals, industrial zones and export-led growth strategies. Participants will explore how cross-border infrastructure coordination and the development of regional trade corridors can support continental integration goals.
Managing Director Liz Hart describes Infrastructure Africa 2026 as a key platform to connect stakeholders, mobilize investment and drive the delivery of profitable projects. This event goes beyond policy dialogue to foster action-driven partnerships that will advance Africa’s infrastructure pipeline from initial concept to construction stage.
The two-day forum, held at the Cape Town International Conference Center, will be attended by ministers, policy makers, project sponsors, investors, engineering procurement construction companies and advisors. Sessions will focus on attracting long-term private capital to well-prepared projects while creating measurable economic, social, and environmental impact.
By strengthening project readiness as a foundation for bankability, the forum aims to position Africa’s infrastructure corridors as catalysts for trade expansion, industrialization, job creation and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
