Opening Speech by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina President, African Development Bank Group Chairman, Africa50 Boards of Directors - Africa50 Infra Forum and General Shareholders Meeting Lomé, Togo – 3 July 2023
ContextOpening speech at the Africa50 Infra Forum and shareholders meeting in Lomé, Togo; the African Development Bank finances Africa's development and backs the Africa50 infrastructure fund.
Why it mattersAdesina presents catalytic equity as a way to bring institutional investors into African infrastructure.
Problems raised
Africa's infrastructure gap is large.
Institutional investors hold back.
Projects lack early-stage capital.
Solutions proposed
Use Africa50 to develop and finance infrastructure.
Make catalytic equity investments to draw in investors.
