‘Global Shocks Create Opportunities For Local Investors for Africa’s Next Growth Phase’

The CEO of the African Private Capital Association (AVCA), Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, stated that the current wave of geopolitical complexities is creating opportunities for African institutional investors to reshape value chains and transform technological disruptions into investor-led growth.

He made these remarks at the 22nd Annual AVCA Conference & VC Summit, hosted by AVCA in Nairobi.

The ongoing global gathering opened on April 27, 2026 to close on April 30, 2026, will bring together more than 800 investors and business leaders from around the world. It aims to convene CEOs, prominent investors, and senior political leaders to redefine the forces shaping local and global growth.

Mustapha-Maduakor highlighted that this year’s theme, ‘Break The Mold: Reshaping the Future of African Private Capital’, emphasises the importance of Africa’s economic and strategic positioning at a critical moment when the industry must navigate global shocks and position itself for sustained growth.

He noted, “the current environment, while challenging, has opened doors for local institutional investors to fill the gaps left by geopolitical complexities, restructure value chains, and turn technological changes into investor-led growth for Africa.”

The conference reinforces the member association’s established role in mobilizing investor, policy, and regulatory actions to catalyze private business and finance, aiming to build diversified and resilient markets.

Pension administrator at the Central Bank of Kenya, Jane Nzau, said, “pension funds in Kenya are ready to invest and provide long-term capital, provided there is a proper structure, regulations, and good returns on investment. While international capital remains important, increasing domestic investment is essential for resilience and growth.”

AVCA noted that discussions throughout the week will focus on expanding value chains, including enabling infrastructure such as grid sustainability, energy storage, natural gas markets, and cross-border railway corridors connecting critical minerals to processing hubs and manufacturing value chains.

The association pointed out that investors will also identify strategies to improve reforms, liquidity, and risk mitigation to assist investors in navigating policy trajectories and election outcomes in commercial hubs across Ethiopia and Kenya in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

For the first time, AVCA’s conference will include a dedicated Private Credit Summit, as private debt is gaining significant traction across the continent as an alternative financing mechanism.

According to new data from AVCA, total private debt deal volume increased by 30 per cent year-on-year, with the East Africa region accounting for 36 per cent of Africa’s total private debt transactions. These findings attest to private credit’s stabilising role in Africa’s private capital ecosystem and reinforce its contribution to the region’s capital stack.