Explore The Future of Africa: Pivotal Discussions during APD Breakfast Meetings
Engage in transformative dialogues aimed at enhancing economic prosperity across Africa’s infrastructural development.
Unlocking Finance for Housing and Urban Development: Best Practices by Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB)
This pre-dialogue Breakfast Meeting convened high-level government officials, policymakers, and private sector leaders to explore innovative strategies for unlocking finance for housing and urban development in Africa.
Key Discussions:
- Mobilising Resources: Examining innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance, green bonds, and leveraging institutional investors.
- Addressing Housing Affordability: Exploring strategies to tackle housing deficits, improve affordability, and promote inclusive urban development.
- Sustainable Urban Growth: Discussing climate-resilient infrastructure, green building practices, and integrating sustainability principles into urban planning.
- Regional Collaboration: Exploring opportunities for regional integration and cross-border collaboration to enhance housing delivery and urban development across Africa.
Key Objectives:
- To foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, identify best practices, and unlock sustainable financing solutions for housing and urban development in Africa.
This event aimed to empower African businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the digital age and contribute significantly to the overall objectives of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues.
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Scaling Your Business Through Strategic Technology Investment
This Breakfast Meeting explored how businesses can leverage technology to drive growth and competitiveness. Recognising the challenges faced by many African businesses in harnessing the full potential of technology, this event brought together business leaders, innovators, and experts to discuss critical success factors.
The event delved into key areas, including strategic technology investment, operational efficiency, building strong networks, and the transformative power of AI. Through a combination of expert panel discussions, real-world case studies, and interactive Q&A sessions, participants gained valuable insights and practical strategies to implement within their own organisations.
This Breakfast Meeting not only provided valuable knowledge but also offered a unique opportunity to apply for the LEC Elevate: AI Excellence Program, a 3-day workshop designed to equip participants with the skills to leverage AI tools for business growth. This event was organised by the Ladies Entrepreneurship Club and featured contributions from leading companies across various sectors, including Paystack, MTN, and Ayadata.
Key Objectives:
- Provide actionable insights on leveraging technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
- Discuss the importance of building strategic partnerships and fostering collaboration.
- Explore the role of organisational agility in adapting to changing market demands.
- Highlight innovative strategies that empower businesses to thrive in competitive landscapes.
- Create a space for networking and knowledge sharing among key stakeholders.
This event aimed to empower African businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the digital age and contribute significantly to the overall objectives of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025.
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Bridging Infrastructure Gaps: Unleashing the Potential of SMEs, Women, and Young Entrepreneurs in Africa
This Breakfast Meeting delved into the critical role of infrastructure in unlocking the full potential of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), women, and young entrepreneurs in Africa. Recognising that inadequate infrastructure – including transportation, energy, and digital connectivity – poses significant barriers to growth for these vital sectors, the event focused on developing innovative and inclusive solutions.
Bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, investors, and representatives from civil society, the event fostered dynamic discussions on how to:
Key Objectives:
- Prioritise infrastructure investments that directly address the specific needs of SMEs, women, and young entrepreneurs.
- Leverage technology and innovation to bridge infrastructure gaps and enhance connectivity in underserved regions.
- Foster public-private partnerships to mobilise resources and accelerate infrastructure development.
- Empower local communities to actively participate in infrastructure planning and development processes.
Through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, participants explored best practices, identified key challenges, and developed actionable recommendations for creating an enabling environment that empowers SMEs, women, and young entrepreneurs to thrive. This event aimed to contribute significantly to the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2025 by highlighting the critical role of inclusive infrastructure development in driving sustainable economic growth and creating a more prosperous future for all Africans.
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International Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs): Powering Trade for AfCFTA Roll-Out.
This forum, organised by Africa Law Practice International (ALPi), delved into the critical role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in overcoming infrastructure deficits and facilitating the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Recognising the limitations of traditional public sector financing and the innovative solutions offered by private sector involvement, the forum explored how PPPs can effectively address the continent’s infrastructure needs. Discussions focused on identifying key infrastructure gaps, analysing the challenges faced by PPP projects, and developing strategies to attract and sustain private sector investment.
Key topics included:
- Identifying Critical Infrastructure Gaps: Analyzing the hard and soft infrastructure deficits hindering intra-African trade and exploring how PPPs can effectively address these challenges.
- Ensuring Sustainable Financing: Examining the challenges of securing consistent funding for PPP projects, including the role of Development Finance
- Institutions (DFIs), International organisations, and innovative financing mechanisms.
- Creating an Enabling Environment: Discussing the importance of predictable regulatory frameworks, transparent governance, and robust risk mitigation strategies to attract and sustain private sector investment in PPPs.
This forum brought together leading experts from the public and private sectors, including government officials, investors, infrastructure developers, and legal professionals, to foster dialogue, share best practices, and develop actionable recommendations for leveraging PPPs to power trade and drive economic growth across the African continent.
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Exploring Venture Capital and Private Equity Funding Models for Infrastructure
This Breakfast Meeting explored how to enhance venture capital and private equity (VC/PE) infrastructure to support the development of a single African investment market. Recognising the critical role of VC/PE in driving economic growth and innovation, the session brought together leading experts from across the continent to discuss key challenges and explore innovative solutions.
Key topics included:
- Assessing the Current Landscape: Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of existing VC/PE infrastructure across Africa, including regulatory frameworks, access to capital, and the availability of skilled talent.
- Facilitating Cross-Border Investments: Identifying and addressing barriers to cross-border investments within the AfCFTA, such as harmonizing regulations and promoting regional integration.
- Leveraging Technology: Exploring the role of technology in enhancing VC/PE operations, from improving due diligence processes to facilitating access to capital and expanding market reach.
- Building a Sustainable Ecosystem: Discussing strategies to strengthen the VC/PE ecosystem, including capacity building for fund managers, supporting youth-led businesses, and promoting responsible investment practices.
This interactive session featured a panel discussion with leading figures from the African VC/PE industry, including Abi Mustapha-Maduakor (AVCA), Jerry Parkes (Injaro Advisors), and Tshepiso Kobile (SAVCA), alongside representatives from international organisations such as the World Bank and IFC. The event provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop actionable recommendations to enhance the VC/PE landscape in Africa and contribute to the success of the AfCFTA.
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