As the world grapples with the climate crisis, Africa has emerged as a key player in shaping the global energy transition. With abundant reserves of critical minerals like cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries, and a wealth of solar resources, the continent holds immense clean energy potential.

We were joined by The Rt Hon Mark Simmonds, Chairman, Advisory Board, Invest Africa, H.E. Hakim Hajoui, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Kingdom of Morocco and Mehdi Tazi-Riffi, Chief Executive Officer, Tanger Med to discuss the abundant investment opportunities in Morocco.

In this session, our speakers explored strategies to concurrently foster resilience and propel growth amidst the climate crisis, highlighting tools such as carbon taxation and the promotion of sustainable supply chains, as well as broader ways in which the trade, investment and climate agenda can be aligned on the continent to realise a climate-resilient and prosperous Africa.

Despite steering clear of severe market turbulence amid post-pandemic challenges and geopolitical shifts, Africa faces a complex economic landscape in 2024. Growth prospects are subdued by instability, lacklustre performance in major economies, and a backdrop of global economic uncertainty.

Africa’s investment outlook is showing gradual improvement after a turbulent period, with growth projected to reach about 4% in 2024. Still, despite positive signals, including stabilised public debt ratios and significantly reduced inflation, challenges persist – from funding shortages to high borrowing costs. In this session, our speakers delved into into these challenges and opportunities, deconstructing investment-inhibiting views on risk, reward, and return across Africa.

We were joined by The Rt Hon Mark Simmonds, Chairman, Advisory Board, Invest Africa, Sanjeev Gupta, Board Member & Executive Director for Financial Services, Africa Finance Corporation & Karen Taylor, Executive Chair, Invest Africa, for the welcome remarks of the 10th Edition of The Africa Debate.

In partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the United Kingdom, we hosted a special Morocco Investment Forum on 5th June as part of The Africa Debate Programme.

The Morocco Investment Forum provided a platform for the Moroccan ministerial delegation to share the country’s key investment opportunities and business potential.

Recent years have witnessed a paradigm shift in the landscape of FDI flows to Africa, with the emergence of new investment sources and the expansion of key sectors ripe for investment. Against this backdrop, Afreximbank and Invest Africa presented a project showcase highlighting bankable opportunities for international investors looking to deploy capital into the continent and diversify their portfolios.

Invest Africa, in partnership with Crown Agents Bank, hosted a moderated roundtable discussion focused on Africa's current foreign exchange landscape, and will explore potential partnership and collaboration opportunities within the field to foster innovative solutions.

To further strengthen business and investment cooperation between the UK and Rwanda, Invest Africa organised an investor-facing roundtable focusing on key business opportunities within the green economy and green finance space in Rwanda.

In partnership with the FCDO's Work and Opportunities for Women Programme, Invest Africa hosted a working session to inform UK Government policy around the economic empowerment of women workers in global supply chains.

Business Roundtable: Empowering Women for Resilient Global Supply Chains