Private Equity/Venture Capital Panel

As global capital becomes harder to access, macroeconomic uncertainty remains, and globalization enters a new fraught era, questions about ownership and development in African economies are rising. Firms across the continent are raising and deploying capital that better reflects local priorities and realities. This shift goes beyond who manages money and is centered on building financial institutions and shaping investment strategies to serve long-term development needs. This panel will explore the practical steps and tough choices in creating African investment models that are sovereign, resilient, and relevant in this moment. Topics include the expansion from DFIs to local capital sources like pension and sovereign funds, challenges in fundraising and dealmaking amid underdeveloped markets, and value-creation strategies in infrastructure, technology, healthcare, and agriculture. Panelists will discuss how governance, incentives, and timelines can better align to build stable, locally anchored investment platforms capable of scaling returns and impact. Together, we will explore what it means to invest not just in Africa, but for Africa – and most importantly, by Africa.