OECD International Economic Forum on Africa 2025

About

Africa could double its GDP by 2040 by raising annual infrastructure investment to USD 155 billion, or 5.6% of its GDP. This could accelerate annual real GDP growth by 4.5 percentage points, making this an opportunity to boost global development.

To achieve that potential, private sector infrastructure financing must increase. Bilateral and multilateral development partners currently fund 48% of Africa’s infrastructure investment, while private capital contributes just 11%. Governments make up 41% of Africa’s infrastructure spending, but fiscal constraints and debt are straining public budgets. From 2019 to 2023, governments spent an average of seven times more servicing debt than on infrastructure; 15 countries spent more on debt interest than infrastructure. Yet, African governments are set to remain the driving force for bridging the continent’s infrastructure investment gap, as the outlook for other financing sources remains uncertain.

International Economic Forum on Africa 2025

Objectives

The 24th International Economic Forum on Africa will convene public-sector decision makers, private investors, and philanthropic actors to examine how infrastructure investment can drive inclusive economic transformation on the continent. Panels will address two critical challenges: mobilising finance, and developing local capacities and skills.

The Forum will spotlight the solutions and strategies that can help ensure Africa’s infrastructure agenda generates inclusive growth, jobs, and sustainable development.

Jointly organised by the OECD Development Centre and the African Union Commission, the Forum is an opportunity to engage with Africa’s leaders, partners and key stakeholders on the continent’s future.

Agenda

15:00 - 15:30

Opening session

Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, OECD
Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, African Union Commission (Virtual Participation)
Rémy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer, Agence française de développement
H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana – video intervention (TBC)
Moderator: Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir, Director, OECD Development Centre

15:30 - 16:30

Panel 1 - Financing Africa's Infrastructure: Priorities and Pathways

Investing USD 155 billion annually in infrastructure could raise Africa’s GDP growth by 4.5 percentage points per year, potentially doubling the continent’s GDP by 2040. Yet, growing sovereign debt, high costs of capital, and declining development finance are limiting infrastructure investment. How can governments prioritise infrastructure projects – including infrastructure and development corridors – that generate the most significant economic and social returns? How can they attract more financing from private and institutional investors?

• Ismaël Nabé, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Guinea

• Enrico Petrocelli, Head of International Institutional Relations, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Secretary-General of the D20 Long-Term Investors Club

• Birgit Pickel, Director General for Africa, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany

• Antoine Durand, Investment Director, STOA Infra & Energy

• Yukiko Omura, Chair, Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG)

• Maryse Lokossou, Executive Director, CDC Benin

Moderator: Dominique Tchimbakala, Journalist

16:30 - 17:30

Panel 2 - Building Local Capacities and Skills to Deliver Africa's Infrastructure

Accelerating and scaling up infrastructure projects requires local expertise. Despite much improvement in education in Africa, skills do not sufficiently match the needs of the labour market. Too many projects fail in the early preparation stages. How can greater investment in skills development initiatives better align training with Africa’s infrastructure agenda? How can African countries systematically address critical skills gaps across the infrastructure project lifecycle? What models of partnerships between governments, private firms, training institutions, and international partners have proven effective in building infrastructure expertise?

• Amine Idriss Adoum, Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Industrialisation, Trade and Regional Integration, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)

• Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Head of Secretariat, AU-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP)

• Papa Amadou Sarr, Chief Executive Officer, Porteo Group

• Adama Mariko, Acting Executive Director for Resource Mobilization, Partnerships and Communication at Agence Française de Développement Group, Secretary General of Finance in Common

Moderator: Dominique Tchimbakala, Journalist

17:30 - 18:00

Ambassadors' conversation

· H.E. Mr. David Brück, Ambassador and Chair of the Governing Board of the OECD Development Centre and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OECD

· Dr. Mzukisi Qobo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, South Africa

· H.E. Ms. Betty Cherwon, Ambassador of Kenya to France

· H. E. Ms. Corinne Amori Burnet, Ambassador of Benin to France (TBC)

· Djamel Ghrib, Director for Economic Development, Integration and Trade, African Union Commission

Moderator: Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir, Director, OECD Development Centre