By Peter Oyedele, Abuja

The Global Africa Investment Summit (GAIS), a new platform designed to unlock Africa’s sovereign assets and connect them with global private capital, has been officially launched with strong backing from African and international leaders.

The initiative was co-founded by Akinwumi Adesina, former president of the African Development Bank Group, and Margery Kraus, founder and executive chair of APCO Worldwide. Organisers say the platform aims to reposition Africa from aid dependency toward investment-driven growth by converting public assets into de-risked, investment-ready portfolios.

Speaking at the launch, Adesina, who serves as co-founder and executive chairman of GAIS, said Africa must harness its vast sovereign wealth to drive global economic growth.

“In the years ahead, Africa will need to unlock its vast sovereign assets to empower global economic growth,” he said. “The Global Africa Investment Summit platform provides the trusted, structured entity needed to connect Africa’s immense potential with global private capital.”

Kraus described the summit as a critical convening platform at a pivotal moment for the continent’s economy, noting that it will connect governments, investors, and private sector players to foster transformative partnerships.

Positioning Africa as a Premier Investment Destination

With a population exceeding 1.3 billion people and 12 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies, Africa is increasingly central to global economic priorities. GAIS aims to address long-standing barriers to investment, including fragmented markets, high transaction costs, and limited transparency.

The platform will focus on strategic sectors such as energy, critical minerals, agriculture, digital innovation, and healthcare. It will provide:

De-risked, investment-ready portfolios of sovereign assets

Transaction support and transparent matchmaking

Cross-border collaboration opportunities to unlock regional value

Among leaders endorsing the initiative was João Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, who said the summit would serve as a credible bridge connecting Africa with global investors.

Other African leaders voicing support include William Ruto, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Daniel Chapo, John Dramani Mahama, and Denis Sassou-Nguesso.

International figures backing the initiative include Giorgia Meloni, Tony Blair, and Ban Ki-moon.

Business leaders supporting GAIS include Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group; Robert Gumede; and Mohammed Dewji.

First Summit Scheduled for Luanda in 2027

Organisers confirmed that the inaugural Global Africa Investment Summit will be held in Luanda in 2027, bringing together heads of state, global investors, CEOs, and development partners.

Adesina described the initiative as more than a single event, calling it “a movement to redefine Africa’s place in the global economy,” adding that it will attract global capital, unlock asset value, and create opportunities across the continent.

Preparatory work to structure and prepare sovereign assets for investment is already underway, with organisers positioning GAIS as a long-term platform to accelerate sustainable growth and reshape Africa’s engagement with global capital markets.