The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation (MoPEDIC) and the Group of African Ambassadors in Cairo, is set to host the inaugural FOCUS Africa Trade and Investment Forum from April 15 to 16, 2025, at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Cairo, Egypt.
The forum is designed to unlock high-impact investment opportunities across key sectors, including agribusiness, technology, infrastructure, logistics, energy, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and the blue economy. It also aims to confront critical investment challenges and galvanize strategic partnerships across the continent.
FOCUS Africa will convene policymakers, business leaders, development financiers, and global investors to explore scalable strategies for boosting African Direct Investment (ADI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Participants will also be introduced to a pipeline of bankable projects with the potential to attract both regional and international capital.
Despite attracting just 3%–4% of global FDI, Africa has an estimated annual infrastructure financing gap of $130 billion to $170 billion—a challenge the forum seeks to address through innovative financing and collaboration.
“Africa Stands at a Pivotal Moment” – Dr Rania Al-Mashat
Delivering opening remarks, Her Excellency Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, emphasized the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA):
“Africa stands at a pivotal moment. With a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.1 trillion, the AfCFTA — the world’s largest free trade area — presents unprecedented opportunities. However, intra-African trade accounts for only 15% of total African trade. This is where our efforts must intensify.”
She highlighted Egypt’s strong focus on private sector-led development, noting that private investments now account for 63% of total investments in the country.
“By 2030, Egypt aims to attract $60 billion in FDI and grow its annual exports to $145 billion, leveraging our strategic location and industrial base as a hub for African trade.”
“Creating Our Own Internal Globalisation” – Prof. Benedict Oramah
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Afreximbank, echoed the urgency of intra-African trade integration:
“Globalisation, as we know it, is under life support. The AfCFTA offers Africa the opportunity to turn inward as a source of growth and create our own internal globalisation — powered by a $3 trillion GDP, natural resource diversity, and a vibrant youth population.”
He called for stronger ties with the African Diaspora and a unified approach to global engagement.
“Strategic Partnerships, Not Charity” – Dr Mohamadou Labarang
Representing the African diplomatic corps in Egypt, Dr. Mohamadou Labarang, Dean of the African Ambassadors’ Group, underlined the importance of repositioning Africa for opportunity:
“Africa is changing. Opportunities abound — from agro-processing and manufacturing to infrastructure, energy, and pharmaceuticals. But these will remain dormant unless we forge partnerships grounded not in aid, but in mutual growth, strategic vision, and shared value.”
He added that the business community in the Middle East — especially Egypt — must engage with Africa’s evolving economic landscape.
Scaling EPC Models and Localising Infrastructure Solutions – Kanayo Awani
Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, stressed the critical role of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) in Africa’s transformation:
“Africa’s infrastructure gap isn’t just a statistic — it’s a bottleneck to our growth. The time has come to move from isolated success stories to a coordinated continental push.”
She highlighted Afreximbank’s commitment through its Intra-African EPC Promotion Initiative, which promotes African-led, African-executed infrastructure development.
“We are proving that African firms can deliver world-class infrastructure — not in theory, but in practice. With the right finance, models, and partnerships, the EPC sector can become the cornerstone of Africa’s integration and trade ambitions.”
Catalyzing Intra-African Trade Through B2B and B2G Engagements
FOCUS Africa 2025 will align closely with the AfCFTA agenda, offering platforms for B2B and B2G matchmaking, investor pitch sessions, and access to tailored financial instruments that enhance private sector competitiveness and regional integration.
As Africa accelerates its push toward economic self-sufficiency and global competitiveness, the FOCUS Africa Forum stands as a testament to the continent’s readiness to mobilize African capital, deepen partnerships, and deliver results.
